UMD Athletics

On the road in Mankato, Minn. for the final Northern Sun Intercollegiate regular season doubleheader of the season, the University of Minnesota Duluth baseball team earned back a split with Minnesota State University, Mankato at Bowyer Field. The Bulldogs lost game one 11-0 before rebounding for a 11-7 win in game two.

Game One, 11-0 UMD Loss

UMD recorded seven hits but was unable to convert them into runs, while MSU secured the win with 13 hits, including three home runs.

The game opened with both teams held scoreless through the first two innings. In the third inning, the Mavericks took control with a two-run home run by Jake Berkland, followed by an RBI single from CJ Trask, to make it a 3-0 lead.

MSU extended its lead in the fourth inning on a Ethan Bowers three-run homer, making it 6-0. UMD's offense was unable to capitalize on opportunities, leaving runners on base through multiple innings.

The Mavericks added two more runs in the fifth inning via a two-RBI single by Louis Magers, increasing the lead to 8-0. The sixth inning saw further scoring from MSU, highlighted by a two-run homer from Magers, bringing the score to 11-0.

Despite several hits and walks, the Bulldogs could not convert these into runs, finishing the game without scoring.

Henry Wilkinson pitched five and 1/3 innings, allowing 11 earned runs on 12 hits, including three home runs, while striking out two and walking one. He threw 88 pitches with 59 strikes. Alex Boston relieved Wilkinson, pitching 2/3 of an inning without giving up any runs or walks, and allowed just one hit in his 13-pitch appearance.

Gabe Richardson recorded two hits and drew one walk, while Michael Gabbard also collected two hits and added a walk. 

Game Two, 11-7 UMD win

UMD's offense produced 15 hits, including a home run, to overcome MSU's nine hits and two homers.

UMD started strong with a four-run first inning. Sam Kliber reached on an error and later scored on Gabe Richardson's single to right center. Henry Bushey doubled to bring in Richardson, and Michael Reem followed with a two-RBI single, giving the Bulldogs a 4-2 lead after the first inning.

In the third, Bushey singled and stole second, setting up Reem's single. Thomas Hanson's sacrifice bunt allowed Bushey to score, increasing the lead to 5-2. 

MSU responded with a run in the fourth, but UMD maintained a 5-3 lead. Another run by the Mavericks in the fifth brought the score to 5-4.

The sixth inning saw UMD extend its lead with four runs. Michael Gabbard doubled and scored on Hayden Anthony's bunt single. Richardson's single loaded the bases, and a walk brought in another run. A subsequent error allowed another run, and Bushey's sacrifice fly added one more, making it 9-5. Gabbard's defensive performance was also notable with a season-high total of five putouts.

In the seventh, Gabbard hit a two-run homer to left field, further solidifying UMD's lead at 11-6. This marked the third consecutive game in which Gabbard recorded at least two hits.

Despite MSU scoring in the eighth inning, the Bulldogs held on to their lead, bringing the final score to 11-7.

Hanson delivered a solid start for UMD by pitching a season-high two and 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit and one earned run, while striking out two batters. He threw a total of 41 pitches, with 21 of them being strikes, but allowed three walks. Caden Klebba took over from Hanson and pitched six and 2/3 innings, conceding eight hits and five earned runs, while striking out two. Klebba's outing was marked by two home runs allowed and five walks, but he managed to secure the win with a pitch count of 111, 66 of which were strikes, marking his season-high in pitches.

Richardson tallied three hits and scored two runs while also drawing two walks. Bushey contributed two hits and drove in two runs, adding a double and a stolen base to his performance. Reem recorded two hits and brought in two runs, while Gabbard scored twice, notched two hits, and hit a home run.

UMD has an overall record of 18-31 and 17-10 in the NSIC. The Bulldogs and Mavericks will put the wraps on the regular season tomorrow afternoon at noon Saturday.