UMD Softball Ready for Pair of NSIC Doubleheaders with Augustana and Wayne State in St. Cloud

The University of Minnesota Duluth softball team is set for a doubleheader against Augustana University on Friday and a doubleheader against Wayne State College on Saturday that were originally slated as home openers. Due to weather, the duo doubleheaders have been moved to The Husky Stadium Dome in Saint Cloud, Minn. on the campus of St. Cloud State University. Friday's action vs the Vikings gets underway at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., while Saturday's games against Wildcats will begin at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Thu, Mar 28, 2024

HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY: Over the last 10 seasons, the Bulldogs have a record of 9-18 against the Augustana Vikings, but UMD has won the last two meetings in shutout fashion. The Bulldogs put up a total of 13 runs in the two games.

In their second to last meeting last year on May 5,2023, UMD pulled off a 4-0 win against Augustana. The Bulldogs were led by senior Corrie Weise, who went 2-3 from the plate, including a home run, and tallied three RBI's. Senior pitcher Lauren Dixon helped steer things defensively for the Bulldogs in that matchup. She pitched a near-perfect game, only allowing one hit and zero walks, while striking out seven. This win sent them to the 2023 NSIC Tournament Championship.

With the format of the tournament being double-elimination, the Vikings fought back to the championship game to play UMD the next day, though their efforts fell short, as the Bulldogs beat Augustana 9-0 and secured the 2023 NSIC Tournament Championship. This game had many different Bulldogs contributing. Senior outfielder, Kat Burkhardt and junior infielder, Nicole Schmitt both went 2-4 in the game, including a home run, and combined for five RBI's. Dixon got the nod again in the second game and faced 24 batters, allowing four hits and three walks, while striking out five.

HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH WAYNE STATE COLLEGE: Over the last eight seasons, the Bulldogs are 12-4 against the Wildcats from Wayne State College, but have had the better number in the last 11 meetings, outscoring the Wildcats 86-26.

Last time out was a pair of dominant shutout wins for UMD on April 29, 2023 in Duluth. In their doubleheader meeting last year, the Bulldogs outscored the Wildcats 18-0 throughout the two games. Senior outfielder, Kat Burkhardt and senior Corrie Weise both tallied a home run in each of those games, driving in 10 of the 18 runs during that stretch.

LAST TIME OUT: UMD (19-8, 0-2) was swept by Winona State University in Rochester, Minn. in the RCTC Dome, a game that moved location and back two days due to weather.

The Warriors took game one 7-2, handing senior pitcher Lauren Dixon just her third loss of the season. Julia Gronholz went 2-of-3 from the plate.

In game two, the Warriors Sam Keller hit a home run in the bottom of the third, but Kate Mohr answered with a home run of her own – her first of the season – in the top of the fourth that also scored Gronholz for the 2-1 lead. WSU retook the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth with two runs scored, and held UMD scoreless in its last at bat to secure the sweep. Kiana Bender went 3-of-3 on the offense, while Alyssa Williams took the loss from the mound.

LEAD DOGS: Multiple players sit in the top-3 in the NSIC in different categories, including Junior Nicole Schmitt, who ranks third in doubles with 11 – already just one of her collegiate career-high of 12 set just last season. Schmitt also owns the most putouts in the NSIC – 196 on the league's second most changes – 206.

Senior infielder Kiana Bender, who already put her name in the UMD record book with 97 career walks and counting currently sits second in the league with 16.

Catcher Kate Mohr ranks third in putouts with 189 on an NSIC-high 213 changes.

No surprise, Lauren Dixon leads the NSIC with 120 strikeouts – including a league-most 39 batters looking. Dixon's 11 wins also puts her in a tie for the second most so far this season in the league.