04/18/07

St. Scholastica tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh with four runs that doubled their total from the first six innings, but the Bulldogs from UM-Duluth were too far in front to catch and went on to take a 13-8 decision over the Saints on Wednesday afternoon at Kenwood Field in Duluth.

UMD (18-15) jumped out to a 7-2 lead after only three innings behind six hits including three that cleared the outfield fence for homeruns.

St. Scholastica (9-13) cut into that lead with two runs in the fifth but a four-run sixth gave the Bulldogs more breathing room.

After UMD used a two-run homer in the first inning to jump out to a 2-0 lead, the Saints were able to answer back in the bottom half of the inning when leadoff batter Erica Kozacek reached base after being hit by a pitch then later came around to score on a Rilee Dawson single.

UMD scored five in the third, though, to increase their lead, using a pair of homeruns off Saints starter Mary Jo McNamee.

St. Scholastica's late rally in the bottom of the seventh was keyed by a bases-loaded triple by Gina Garramone who would then come in to score on a sacrifice fly from Kathy Lobdell. UMD was able to coax an infield pop-up from the next batter, though, to shut down the rally and close out the win.

Dawson finished the game 2-for-2 with two RBI at the plate for the Saints while Garramone was 2-for-4 with five RBI.

McNamee (0-1) took the loss for St. Scholastica while Bulldogs starter Brittany Hansen (3-5) earned the win.