The University of Minnesota Duluth softball team secured two victories over the University of Mary in a doubleheader held in Minot, North Dakota, winning 8-2 and 7-0.

In the first game, the Bulldogs began without any scoring in the first inning, but took control in the second. Daphne Evans tripled to center field, bringing in Serena Timmer and Khendal Johnson. Morgan McMillan followed with a double, scoring Evans and giving UMD a 3-0 lead by the end of the second inning. 

In the third inning, Sierra Thomas was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on Ava Johnson's double. Johnson, Khendal then singled, driving in Thomas and Johnson, Ava, extending the lead to 5-0.

The Marauders managed to score in the fifth inning when a pinch runner scored on a single, cutting the lead to 5-1. However, the Bulldogs responded in the bottom of the inning with Thomas doubling and later scoring on a single by Taylor Tschida, making it 6-1. 

In the sixth inning, the Bulldogs capitalized on walks and a wild pitch, with Thomas scoring on a walk to Taylor Dawyduk and Johnson, Ava scoring on a walk to Timmer, pushing the lead to 8-1. Mary added a final run in the seventh inning with a solo homer by Hastings, but it was not enough to challenge the Bulldogs' 8-2 lead.

Emmie Sylvia-Cochran pitched a complete game, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out six in seven innings. Sylvia-Cochran demonstrated control by inducing seven flyouts and seven groundouts, contributing to UMD's win. 

Evans recorded two RBIs and a triple, while McMillan added two hits, including a double, and drove in one run. Thomas scored three runs and drew two walks.

In the second game, the Bulldogs started strongly in the first inning. Morgan McMillan doubled to left field and later stole third. Kendal Jenkins singled to right field, driving in McMillan. Sierra Thomas followed with a two-run homer to center field, bringing Jenkins home and putting UMD up 3-0 by the end of the first inning. 

In the third inning, Jenkins singled again, and Thomas hit another two-run homer to center field. Khendal Johnson added a solo home run to center field, extending the lead to 6-0.

UMD added one more run in the sixth inning when Taylor Dawyduk homered to center field. The score was 7-0, and it remained that way through the final inning. 

Allyssa Williams delivered a strong performance on the mound for the Bulldogs, pitching a complete game shutout against the Marauders. She allowed just four hits over seven innings, striking out seven batters while issuing only one walk. Williams faced 26 batters and induced 10 groundouts.

The Bulldogs combined for a season-high of four home runs in the second game. Thomas delivered her second two-home run performance this season, along with four RBIs. Jenkins contributed significantly, scoring two runs and collecting two hits with one RBI, while Johnson added to the offensive effort with a solo home run.

UMD will face Minot State University tomorrow inside the Air-Supported Dome in Minot, North Dakota. The doubleheader's start time is set for 10:00 a.m.