Softball - News

UMD CLOSES OUT SEASON-OPENING SOFTBALL WEEKEND ON A WINNING NOTE

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Jenny Rasmussen delivered a clutch seventh-inning home run Sunday

The University of Minnesota Duluth put the wraps on an encouraging first weekend of 2012 play Sunday afternoon by rallying for a 9-7 eight-inning victory over nationally-ranked Colorado School of Mines in the Desert Stinger Tournament in Las Vegas, Nev.

UMD, which went 4-1 at the three-day event, trailed the No. 24 Oredockers 6-3 with two outs in top of the seventh inning before mounting its comeback. After the Bulldogs scored a pair of runs off two-run home run by senior Whitney Strantz, junior Jenny Rasmussen came in to pinch hit and, in her first plate appearance as a Bulldog, the transfer from Ellsworth Community College homered to left center field. UMD scored three more times in the eighth as junior center fielder Michaela Goris drove in a two runs with a double and sophomore pitcher Megan Mullen singled in Maddie Bilse.

Junior second baseman Tyra Kerr enjoyed her most productive afternoon to date in a UMD uniform, going 5-for-5 with one home run and three RBIs while sophomore first baseman Brooke Neuroth had three hits. Mullen allowed seven hits and struck out seven in her fifth complete game effort.

"All and all, I am very happy with these first five games," said UMD head coach Jen Banford. "We battled back for two of our wins, including the one today. I can't say enough about Megan (Mullen). She was a warrior all weekend for us."

Next up for the Bulldogs is a non-conference doubleheader with Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference colleague Concordia University-Paul this Tuesday (Feb. 14) at the Vadnais Heights (Minn.) Sports Center.

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