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Bulldogs splits with Mavericks
BY KJESTINE STEINBRING
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
iISSUE: 78/28
TYLER SWEENEY / STATESMAN
Bulldog senior outfielder Tony Doherty and the Minnesota State University, Mankato catcher watch the
flight of the ball during Tuesday’s game in Duluth.
After having four games postponed this weekend, the UMD baseball team made up the two double headers with their North Central Conference (NCC) rivals from Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSUM) on Monday
and Tuesday afternoons. The team was scheduled to play them on Saturday and Sunday, but due to bad weather, they had to reschedule for early this week.
The Bulldogs played two close, one-run games with the Mavericks on Monday. The doubleheader ended with UMD losing the first one in seven innings 4-5, and winning the second with a game-winning base hit and RBI by freshman Josh Threlkled with a score of 3-2. “We always want to outperform the opposing team,” said senior Andrew Heieie. He also added that the Mavericks are a tough team to beat when they do the little things, such as defense and baserunning, right.
TYLER SWEENEY / STATESMAN
UMD freshman pitcher Dylan McGaheran goes
through his windup.
Tuesday’s games had the same outcomes for the Bulldogs, losing the first one of two to MSUM, while pulling out a win in the second game. Game one of the double header was all the Mavericks, winning 10-3, but the Bulldogs came fighting back once again in game two.
Scoring three runs in the first inning off of base hits by the top of the UMD order gave them the lead for most of the game. Both teams scored in the fourth, proving that the Mavericks were looking for a fight. “Teams in our conference are very competitive; you can’t take any of them for granted,” said Heieie. Mankato scored in the top of the fifth off a three run homer and RBI single to gain the lead.
Heading into the bottom of the inning, UMD needed to score. Score they did. A two run homer by Heieie in the bottom of the fifth gave UMD the lead once again, and this time they would hold on to it. The Bulldogs scored off a wild pitch to make the final score 7-5. “When we step on the field everything else doesn’t matter. We must play the game of baseball,” said Heieie. With his homer, Heieie saved the game for Duluth, who once again spilt with Mankato. The split gives the Bulldogs a 19-20 record so far this season, including a 5-11 mark in the NCC.
The final series of the regular season for the Bulldogs is a doubleheader at home against Augustana on May 2 at 1 p.m. After the Augustana series the Bulldogs will prepare for the NCC tournament in Omaha, Neb. on May 8-10.”
