The University of Minnesota Duluth baseball team split in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action Thursday against Concordia University, St. Paul with a game one 10–6 loss before the Bulldogs bounced back with a 14-4 win in game two at Barnes Field, in St. Paul, Minn.
Game One, 10-6 UMD Loss
UMD took an early lead in the first inning with Sam Kliber singling to left field, followed by Nikhil Kandi walking. A sacrifice bunt by Gabe Richardson advanced the runners, setting up Logan Myers for an RBI single to left field, scoring Kliber. Garrett Stauffacher then singled through the left side, driving in Kandi to give UMD a 2–1 lead.
In the second inning, CSP capitalized on a hit by pitch and walks, scoring four runs, including a two-RBI single by Harms. This shifted momentum, putting the Golden Bears ahead 5–2.
The Bulldogs responded in the third with Kandi doubling to right center and later scoring on a wild pitch, narrowing the deficit to 5–3.
CSP extended its lead in the fourth with a three-run homer by Eckmann, while the Bulldogs added three runs of their own. Logan Myers walked, and consecutive singles by Stauffacher and Michael Gabbard, combined with a fielding error, allowed three runs to score, trailing 8–6.
The fifth inning saw the Golden Bears score two more runs, including an RBI single by Johnson and another run on a catching error. UMD was unable to capitalize on a fielding error by the third baseman as it ended the inning scoreless, making the score 10–6, the eventual final.
UMD's pitching staff faced a challenging outing against CSP. Liam Kruse started on the mound, allowing five earned runs on two hits across two innings, while issuing four walks and striking out four. Ayden Lysaght relieved Kruse, giving up two earned runs without allowing a hit, but walked three in his one inning of work. Brady Schornstein provided a solid performance, delivering one and 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit and one walk. Joe Gizzi closed the game with a strong display, striking out all three batters he faced in his lone inning, not allowing a hit or a walk.
Kandi contributed two runs, one hit, and a double, showcasing his ability to get on base with a walk and a hit by pitch. Myers added to the offensive effort by scoring a run and recording one hit and an RBI, while also drawing two walks, while Stauffacher posted a strong performance with two hits, one RBI, and a stolen base, crossing the plate once himself.
Game Two, 14-4 UMD Win
The game featured a robust offensive performance from UMD, highlighted by five doubles and three home runs, and the Bulldogs achieved a season-high 16 hits in the game
UMD secured an early advantage in the first inning when Sam Kliber advanced to third on a stolen base and scored on a wild pitch. Gabe Richardson and Nikhil Kandi set the stage for Michael Reem, who hit a three-run homer to right center. This contributed to Reem's season-high total of three runs batted in and the Bulldogs led 4-0 after the first inning.
In the second inning, Michael Gabbard hit a solo home run to center field. Hayden Anthony doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Kandi, extending the lead to 6-0. Kandi continued his strong performance, scoring two or more runs in two consecutive games.
CSP responded in the third inning with two runs, driven by Gus Berger, who reached on a fielder's choice, and a two-run double from Eric Berg. UMD answered back with Thomas Hanson doubling and scoring on an RBI single by Gabbard, bringing the score to 7-2.
Concordia-St. Paul narrowed the gap in the fourth inning with a two-run homer by Johnson, but UMD countered with three runs, highlighted by RBI singles from Kandi, Garrett Stauffacher, and Henry Bushey to make it 10-4 at the end of four innings.
In the fifth inning, Hayden Anthony walked and was driven in by Richardson's double, adding to the Bulldog lead, 11-4. Richardson scored a season-high three runs and recorded a season-high eight putouts in the game.
After a quiet sixth inning, the Bulldogs added three more runs in the seventh. Kliber doubled and scored on a two-run homer by Anthony. Bushey singled in Richardson to cap the scoring at 14-4. The Bulldogs totaled a season-high 13 runs batted in during the game and concluded with a 14-4 victory over CSP, recording a season-high 14 runs in the game.
Caden Klebba delivered a complete game performance, pitching seven innings for the Bulldogs. He allowed eight hits and four earned runs while striking out four and walking one, using 90 pitches with 58 of them strikes. Klebba's effort included surrendering one home run and hitting one batter, but he secured the win to improve his record to 1-2.
Anthony delivered a strong performance, collecting three runs, two hits, and two RBIs, including a home run, and Reem contributed significantly with a home run that resulted in three RBIs. Kandi added two hits and two RBIs, also scoring twice.
The Bulldogs improve to 10-24 and are are now 8-14 in the NSIC. UMD will be back in action against Jamestown Sunday in Minnetonka, Minn.
