The University of Minnesota Duluth softball team is set to travel to Moorhead, Minn for a doubleheader Saturday against Minnesota State Moorhead. Both doubleheaders wiil get underway at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH MINNESOTA STATE MOORHEAD: The Bulldogs currently hold an eight-game winning streak on the Dragons dating back to March 29, 2016. In the past eight seasons, UMD has posted a dominant record of 19-2 while averaging 7.19 runs per game and outscoring MSMU 151-40 in those 21 meetings. 

In their latest meeting two seasons ago in Moorhead on April 20, 2022, the Bulldogs took both games with the scores of 4-2 in game one and 17-3 in game two. UMD was led by Kat Burkhardt in the first contest after she tallied two of UMD's 10 hits while driving in three. Lauren Dixon pitched a complete game in the first game, striking out 13, walking only three and allowing just three hits. In game two, the runs were almost endless thanks to UMD's Kiana Bender who had a massive day at the plate. Bender went 4-4, with two home runs and two doubles, driving in five of the team's 17 runs. Burkhardt and Elle Potts both tallied three hits during the game as well. 

HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY: UMD currently holds a six-game winning streak against the Wolves dating back to April 10, 2019. Over the last 9 seasons, the Bulldogs have an overall record of 19-5 against the Wolves while averaging 5.19 runs per game and outscoring NSU 124-47. 

Last season in St. Cloud, Minn. on April 4, 2023 UMD swept the Wolves in a doubleheader matchup with the scores of 5-0 in game one and 5-1 in game two. UMD tallied seven hits as a team at the plate, while two of them came from Burkhardt – including a triple and a home run. Dixon got the nod in game one where she struck out 12, walked zero while only allowing two hits. In game two UMD kept the hits going and tallied nine at the plate, led by Bender who went 2-4 from the plate, while driving in three runs. Corrie Weise went 3-4 from the plate, including two doubles. 

LAST TIME OUT: UMD (32-13, 13-7) traveled to St. Cloud this past Tuesday, a doubleheader sweep against the Huskies. 

In game one, UMD cruised to a 12-0 victory in a game lasting only five innings. UMD combined for 14 hits throughout the game, while five different Bulldogs produced two or more hits. Dixon was on the mound in game one, striking out seven and allowing just two hits. 

In game two, the Bulldogs snuck past the Huskies 4-3. Morgan McMillan provided the Bulldogs with a double in the sixth inning to score two and from there UMD held the lead. Burkhardt and Julia Gronholz both tallied two hits in the game. 

LEAD DOGS: Unsurprisingly, Lauren Dixon continues to sit at the top of the NSIC standings in strikeouts with 181, putting her 12th in the country for Dll. Dixon also leads the NSIC with 18 complete games. 

Kiana Bender continues to have a good eye at the plate and is now at 25 walks on the year, putting her second in the NSIC standings. 

Nicole Schmitt is another Bulldog who is climbing the standings. Schmitt has 17 doubles on the season which is tied for third place. Schmitt also sits second in the NSIC for putouts with 313 on 330 chances. 

Last season, Dixon set the career record for strikeouts, currently at 766 so far this season. As a junior, Dixon also set the career record for shutouts (currently at 28).

ANDERSON'S ASCENSION: Anderson pocketed the 100th win of her UMD career on March 30, 2024 against Wayne State, reaching the milestone faster than any other Bulldog head coach in program history in less than three complete seasons. Anderson entered the 2024 season with 79 wins in her first two seasons -- the most wins by a UMD softball coach in their first two seasons in program history. Prior to the 2024 season, Anderson was 79-29 overall and led UMD to just its fourth-ever 40-win plus season in 2023, as well as a berth in the NCAA Regional Tournament.

Anderson is also now just 11 games of hitting 150 career wins as a collegiate coach, and enters the weekend with 139.

ON THE LOOKOUT: Junior first baseman Nicole Schmitt has hit a career-best 16 doubles so far this season – just six shy of the UMD single-season record of 22. Becky Smith currently owns the record of 22, set over the 2015 season.
 

Senior shortstop Kiana Bender already set UMD's career walk record from the plate with 106 and counting – shattering the previous record.