The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) softball team is already gearing up for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) playoffs. Entering the postseason with a 39-14 overall record they earned the third seed and will first face Winona State University on Thursday.

“They’re ahead of us, I believe, in the region rankings right now, so I love being the underdog in that manner,” UMD head coach Lynn Anderson said. “Our team is really hungry for it too. It’s going to be heavy hitters going at it, it’s going to be two good pitching staffs going at it together. So overall it’s going to be a great matchup.”

It could be argued that the backbone to UMD’s strong spring is their stellar pitching class. They broke the single season team strikeout record hitting 340 off a pitch thrown by Proctor native, UMD freshman Maddy Walsh.

Also, Bulldog senior Lauren Dixon recently recorded her 800th career strikeout. She currently sits 11th in the NCAA DII standings with 219 this season.

“I have no words for the absolute connection I have with the other pitchers on the staff. How much we all support each other, not only just on the field and coming in relief or anything like that, but in the bullpens as well. I think it’s just so special to have a group that you can band with and connect with,” Dixon said.

“I just soak it all in, and I’ve learned a lot. Especially from Lauren. She really is my biggest role model,” Walsh said. “Growing up, I always wanted to be a Bulldog. Being able to be here and enjoy the moment and represent UMD is really touching.”

UMD opens the NSIC quarterfinals Thursday facing Winona State at 5:30 p.m. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For the bracket, click here.