UMD Bulldogs softball team warms up for season opener Friday

The UMD Bulldogs will be stepping up to the plate soon to get their 2023 season started. “We have a lot of juniors, like ten of us. I think the upperclassmen are like more leaders to like guide the younger class. I think that’ll be helpful for the future,” says junior shortstop Kiana Bender.

Junior right fielder Dea Deleon added, “I think one of the big things we’ve been talking about a lot is just sweeping our conference opponents. One of our big rival rivals is Saint Cloud, and that’s one of the biggest things that we’re really trying to focus on this year.”

The team returns NSIC preseason player pitcher of the year, junior Lauren Dixon. She was one of four in the NSIC to break 200 strikeouts last spring.

“We were one away from winning 40. That’s a huge number to get to. I mean, something to really be proud of. I think looking back since 1982, there’s only been three years that they had more than 39 wins. They’re excited to continue leveling up this year,” said second year head coach Lynn Anderson.

Last season the Bulldogs swung to 39 wins and finished 22-and-8 in conference play. The Bulldogs will throw their first pitches of 2023 against Concordia-St. Paul in the Mankato Dome Invite on Friday at 4:30 pm.