The University of Minnesota Duluth softball team faced Minnesota State University Mankato in a doubleheader at James S. Malosky Stadium, resulting in an 8–6 loss in the first game and a 7–4 victory in the second.

Starting the day, UMD fell to the Mavericks 8–6, despite hitting three home runs. The Mavericks took an early lead in the first inning, scoring four runs, highlighted by a two-RBI double. The score stood at 4–0 in favor of Minnesota State. UMD began to chip away at the deficit in the second inning when Sierra Thomas hit a solo home run to center field. Morgan McMillan later scored on a single by Serena Timmer, narrowing the gap to 4–2.

A pivotal moment for UMD came in the third inning when Khendal Johnson hit an inside-the-park home run, driving in three runs and giving the Bulldogs a 5–4 lead. However, the Mavericks responded in the fourth inning with two runs to regain the lead at 6–5. Ava Johnson tied the game for UMD in the fifth inning with another solo home run, leveling the score at 6–6.

The game remained tied through strong defensive plays from both teams, leading to extra innings. In the top of the eighth, the Mavericks managed to break the deadlock with a two-RBI double. UMD was unable to respond in the bottom half, resulting in a final score of 8–6.

Emmie Sylvia-Cochran started for UMD but faced challenges, allowing four runs and issuing four walks without recording an out. Ashley Mandell relieved her, pitching eight innings and allowing eight hits and four earned runs while striking out three batters. Despite her efforts, Mandell was charged with the loss, bringing her record to 4–2. Ava Johnson contributed significantly with two runs and a home run, while Khendal Johnson recorded three RBIs and also hit a home run. Sierra Thomas added one run and a home run, and Kendal Jenkins collected two hits and scored one run.

In game two, UMD bounced back to secure a 7–4 victory over the Mavericks, aided by a three-run third inning. The game began with both teams scoring in the first inning, with the Mavericks taking the lead on a double. UMD responded when Ava Johnson reached on an error and scored on a single by Kendal Jenkins, making the score 1–1 after the first inning. 

In the second inning, MSU regained the lead with a sacrifice fly, bringing the score to 2–1. The third inning proved crucial for UMD as Khendal Johnson and Sierra Thomas both scored on errors, while Jenkins also crossed home plate, giving the Bulldogs a 4–3 lead by the end of the inning. UMD extended their lead in the fourth when Sierra Thomas advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Khendal Johnson, making it 5–3.

The Bulldogs continued to build their advantage in the fifth inning when Daphne Evans tripled to bring home Lauren Jenkins, increasing the lead to 6–3. In the sixth, UMD added another run with Sierra Thomas scoring after a double by Morgan McMillan, ending the inning with the Bulldogs leading 7–4. Neither team scored in the seventh inning, concluding the game at 7–4 in favor of UMD.

Sylvia-Cochran pitched two innings in this game, allowing five hits and three earned runs, along with three strikeouts and four walks. Allyssa Williams then relieved her, pitching effectively over five innings, conceding just one earned run on six hits with two strikeouts and one walk, which secured her the win and improved her season record to 9-10. Ava Johnson again excelled, scoring two runs, while Khendal Johnson contributed with two hits and two RBIs. Morgan McMillan had a standout performance, going three-for-three at the plate, including one double.

UMD will host Winona State University in their next doubleheader tomorrow, beginning at 12:00 p.m. inside James S. Malosky Stadium.