First inning two-run homer sparks UMD softball to victory in NSIC quarterfinals
![The UMD softball circles up at practice.](https://www.wdio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/UMD-softball.png)
The UMD softball circles up at practice.
On Thursday the No. 3 University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) softball team earned a close 4-3 victory over No. 6 Winona State University in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) quarterfinals at Bowden Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Julia Gronholz sparked UMD’s offensive to life with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first to give UMD a 2-0 lead. Winona scored one in the third two come within one. Then the Bulldogs added two runs in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. A two-run double by the Warriors in the seventh would make it a one run game once more.
Holding one to win 4-3 it’s the Bulldogs who advance to the semifinals. They will next face No. 7 Minot State Friday at 2:30 p.m. For the full bracket, click here.
Also, from the circle UMD pitcher Lauren Dixon would throw eight strikeouts over seven innings Thursday. She has now set the program record for career innings pitched surpassing Cayli Sadler, who pitched in 646.0 innings between 2013-2016.