Bulldogs Host Pair of NSIC Doubleheaders Against Sioux Falls and Minnesota State on Alumni Weekend - UMD Athletics (2024)

Softball 4/12/2024 2:12:00 PM

The University of Minnesota Duluth softball team will have its biggest season serving of home games this weekend when the Bulldogs welcome the University of Sioux Falls for a doubleheader Saturday and then Minnesota State University, Mankato on Sunday. The alumni weekend will get underway against the Cougars in James S. Malosky Stadium at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Saturday before wrapping up with the Mavericks at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

IN HONOR OF MANDY MATULA: The Bulldogs will hold their annual Mandy Matula Day Saturday, and will honor the former UMD softball player in between games. Matula was a pitcher and utility player for UMD from 2008 to 2011. A native of Eden Prairie, Matula had a career batting average of .304 and posted an 11-9 record in 31 career pitching appearances. Beyond the diamond, Matula was a member of UMD's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, as well as an active volunteer in the Duluth community during her time with the Bulldogs. In 2013, Matula was a victim of domestic violence. Matula's number 14 jersey has been retired, a banner honoring her located in centerfield, and the team wears the number 14 on their equipment. Matula will forever be a part of the Bulldog Softball family. UMD softball asks fans to join them as they raise awareness of domestic violence, and honor and remember Mandy Matula.

HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH SIOUX FALLS: The Bulldogs have a 16-game winning streak against the Cougars that dates back to April 12, 2015. In the past decade, UMD owns a 18-3 record over USF and has averaged 6.39 runs against the Cougars. In their last meeting one season ago in Sioux Falls on April 23, 2023, the Bulldogs swept USF by scores of 6-1 in game one and 5-4 in game two. Lauren Dixon threw seven strikeouts in the first contest, while Julia Gronholz led UMD with three hits (3-of-4) from the plate. In game two, Mady Stariha, Allison Luoma and Allyssa Williams split time on the mound, with Williams getting the win in 1.2 innings pitched and one strikeout. Kiana Bender had a team-high two RBIs and was one of two players who went 2-of-4 on offense – Kat Burkhardt also went 2-of-4 from the plate.

HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH MINNESOTA STATE: UMD split with the Mavericks last season in Mankato, and is 11-15 in the past 10 years against MSU. Over the last 10 games, the Bulldogs are 3-7, with one win last April 8, 2023, a 3-1 win on the road. Dixon threw 10 strikeouts in the triumph, while Nicole Schmitt was a perfect 3-of-3 from the plate. The Bulldogs were shutout 3-0 in game two. Bender went 1-3 from the plate, with a triple.

LAST TIME OUT: UMD (27-12, 8-6) hosted their first doubleheader matchup of the season at Griggs field in James S. Molasky stadium this past Wednesday against Minnesota Crookston.

In game one, UMD's Lauren Dixon produced her first ever no-hitter in her Bulldog career. She walked just two batters and struck out eight, in the five inning game. This was the first no-hitter by a Bulldog since Sam Peterson on April 6, 2021. On the offensive side of things UMD combined for eight hits as a team, with four of them being extra base hits. Freshman Khendal Johnson cleared the bases in the fourth inning with a hit to center field. This was followed by a towering home run by Kiana Bender which put an exclamation point on their 8-0 win in the home opener.

In game two, the Bulldogs started early as Nicole Schmitt drove in a run in the first inning. Minnesota Crookston answered back with a double that gave them the lead 1-2. Fortunately for UMD, this was the last bit of scoring for the Golden Eagles. UMD tacked on eight more runs throughout the game to give them the win by a score of 9-2. Sophom*ore pitcher Alyssa Williams got the start for the Bulldogs. She pitched five innings, allowing five hits, while striking out three.

DIXON STARES DOWN THE RECORD BOOK (AGAIN): Senior pitcher Lauren Dixon has another UMD career record in her sight this weekend. Dixon is one complete game shy of taking over UMD's career record for complete games by a pitcher, currently 72 set by Kristin Danielson from 2007-10. Dixon is currently tied with Danielson at 72.

Dixon picked up her second career record so far this season on Wednesday. Besides pitching her first career no-hitter against the University of Crookston, Dixon started in her 95th career game for the Bulldogs – a program record from the mound. Previously, Dixon took over the career wins record, which she has now extended to 65. Last season, Dixon set the career record for strikeouts, currently at 737 so far this season.

LEAGUE LEADERS: Lauren Dixon continues to lead the NSIC with 152 strikeouts and conference second-best ERA of 1.28. Nicole Schmitt has the most putouts in the league with 279, while Kiana Bender ranks third in walks with 21.

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 16 games of hitting 150 career wins as a collegiate coach, and enters the weekend with 134.