UMD VS. AUGUSTANA - MARCH 16

The weather has returned to Florida normal in the Sunshine State and the winds seemed to have died down some, just in time for the University of Minnesota Duluth baseball team's matchup against Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival Augustana College.

The non-conference affair is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m., local time, at the Chain of Lakes Baseball Complex in Winter Haven, Fla. Forecast for game time calls for partly cloudy skies with temps in the 60's.

Live stats are available by following the link below:

http://www.goaugie.com/sports/2009/10/28/baseballgameday.aspx?id=1821

*NOTE:* An unfortunate recent family emergency required my premature return to Minneapolis. Fear not! The final three games will still be available via live stats and I will do my best to share pictures and updates on this blog from others with the team.

Thanks as always for following along!

PRE GAME - UMD AND WSU MARCH 15

After earning the sweep yesterday against the same opponent, the University of Minnesota Duluth (3-4 overall) will look to go three-for-three against Wayne State (Mich.) University (5-7) in Florida, on Monday afternoon. The teams will tango for one nine inning affair starting at 3:30 p.m., at Chain of Lakes Field 2 in Winter Haven, Fla. Below are a few pictures of the Bulldogs warming up.

Live stats for the game can be found at the link below:

http://sports.umdbulldogs.com/baseball/xlive.htm

UMD BASEBALL POWERS PAST WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY ON SUNDAY

The University of Minnesota Duluth baseball squad earned its first doubleheader sweep of the season, besting Wayne State (Mich.) University twice on Sunday afternoon.

The two teams will meet up for one, nine inning game Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., EST in Winter Haven, Fla., at the Chain of Lakes Baseball Complex. Follow the game action via live stats by following the link here:

http://sports.umdbulldogs.com/baseball/xlive.htm

Here is the Sunday's game story below.

UMD BASEBALL POWERS PAST WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY ON SUNDAY

The University of Minnesota Duluth (3-4 overall) baseball team went into its Sunday afternoon doubleheader against Wayne State (Mich.) University (5-7) averaging a little over three runs scored per game. The bats certainly came alive at Polk Community College Field in Winter Haven, Fla., as the Bulldogs combined to score 21 runs in sweeping the Warriors, winning by scores of 8-4 and 13-12.

UMD controlled the opener from the get-go and throughout, scoring at least one run in each of the game's seven innings - it scored two in the team's third at bat. WSU was able to plate three runs in the sixth inning, after scoring once the previous frame. The Warriors' thoughts of a comeback were put to rest, however, thanks to Bulldog sophomore reliever Mark Shaver. The Roberts, Wis., native didn't allow a hit over the final 1.1 innings, striking out one WSU batter.

Sophomore starter Collin Stinogel (1-1) earned the victory for UMD, allowing four runs on eight hits over 5.2 innings of work, striking out three in the process. Warriors' starter Brady Cooper took the loss.

The Maroon and Gold received contributions from their entire lineup, with six Bulldogs driving in at least one run and four players registering multiple hits. Junior shortstop Tyler Erickson went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, scoring two runs and driving in another pair. Senior catcher Brian Burman, senior co-captain Will Dahlgren and senior co-captain Bryan Denisen were the other UMD hardballers to record more than one hit.

The hitting continued in the nightcap for the Bulldogs - they laced a total of 12 hits in the game. Unlike the spread-out nature of UMD's scoring in game one, the Bulldogs poured on 12 runs in the first three frames (including a seven-spot in the second inning) to grab hold of the momentum.

WSU was slowly able to chip away at that big lead, and were trailing 13-10 heading into their final at bats. The Warriors scored two runs in the seventh and had runners on second and third with one out, when sophomore shortstop Orry Engebretsen snagged a line drive headed for the outfield. The Duluth, Minn., native was able to double up the WSU runner on third to end the game.

Pitching was shaky for UMD throughout the course of the game, but was good enough, just like Bulldog freshman starter Jordan Smith. The native of Raymond, Minn., went three full innings on the mound, allowing seven runs. Junior left Josh Taran and Shaver combined to finish the off the final four innings, bending but not breaking.

UMD went a combined 28-for-68 (.412 batting average) at the plate, mostly relying on small ball - they had just two extra base hits - to plate their 21 runs.

"We stayed aggressive at the plate and we weren't falling behind on the counts," said junior Tyler Erickson. "It was good in the second game though for the younger guys to get a feel for how a close game goes, especially in the late innings."

Originally scheduled for a day off tomorrow, Mar. 15, the Bulldogs instead will square off in one nine-inning game against WSU, this time at the Chain of Lakes Field Complex in Winter Haven, Fla. The first pitch Monday is set for 3:30 p.m., local time.

BULLDOGS AND WAYNE STATE MEET UP SUNDAY AFTERNOON

The University of Minnesota Duluth will look to rebound after being swept yesterday by Ashland (Ohio) University, in its first doubleheader as part of the Bulldogs' Florida spring trip. UMD will square off against Wayne State (Mich.) University Sunday afternoon, at Polk County College Stadium in Winter Haven, Fla.

WSU comes into the game having been swept in its most recent two-game set versus The University of Nebraska-Omaha yesterday (Mar. 13) evening. The Warriors are an even 5-5 on the year.

Live stats for the game can be found here:

http://sports.umdbulldogs.com/baseball/xlive.htm

Here are a couple of pictures of the team warming up before the game.

BULLDOGS AND WAYNE STATE WILL MEET SATURDAY AFTERNOON

The University of Minnesota Duluth (1-2 overall) baseball squad has had to wait a little longer than originally planned, but will play its first game as part of the team's spring trip to Florida. The Bulldogs will compete in at least one game today (Mar. 13) against Wayne State (Mich.) University (5-3) at 4 p.m., at the Lake Myrtle Main Field in Auburndale, Fla.

This comes after UMD had its initial Sunshine State twin bill against Mansfield (Penn.) University on Friday morning cancelled and its scheduled Saturday afternoon two-game set versus Ashland (Ohio) University called off because of poor field conditions.

The two teams were able to find a field in good enough shape and are slated to play one game but may be able to get in a doubleheader, depending on the field directors' decision. Either way, the same two teams will square off tomorrow, Sunday, Mar. 14, for their previously scheduled twin bill, starting at 1:00 p.m., local time.

BULLDOGS FIND TIME FOR A LITTLE PRACTICE BUT GET SOME BAD NEWS

With the prospect of going a full three days without any sort of baseball activity, the University of Minnesota Duluth braved the elements and traveled to the site of what was supposed to be their first doubleheader on their Florida spring trip Friday afternoon, working out at the indoor batting cages at Chain of Lakes baseball complex in Winter Haven.

Having not practiced last Wednesday before leaving, traveling all day Thursday and having its Friday morning doubleheader cancelled because of rain, Bulldog head coach Bob Rients knew that he had to keeps his team mentally and physically sharp. The men took soft toss and had their rounds in the batting cage, even shaking off a light drizzle in order to stretch their arms with a little long toss outside.

In terms of the bad news, the Bulldogs found out after the workout that their scheduled Sunday afternoon game against Ashland (OH) University will be cancelled due to poor field conditions -- the result of more than five inches of rain falling in the area in recent days.

UPDATE: UMD has been talking to schools also affected by the field conditions and is working on getting at least one game scheduled for late Sunday afternoon, hoping to salvage some playing time after seeing its first two Sunshine State doubleheaders fall by the wayside.

Here are some photos (and a video!) from Saturday's late afternoon session.

The team vans - most teams travel around in these...that rental company is making a killing!

Bulldogs in action in the cage

The building housing the batting cages

Seniors Bryan Denisen and Brian Burman playing catch, literally wherever they can find space

RAINY DAY BLUES - BULLDOGS FIRST FLORIDA DOUBLEHEADER CANCELLED

With the forecasts calling for up to an inch of rain, coupled with the recent wet weather hitting the area, the University of Minnesota Duluth baseball team's scheduled Friday (Mar. 12) 9 a.m. doubleheader against Mansfield (PA) University has been cancelled.

The team will look to get in a Friday morning workout - most likely indoors - nonetheless, to keep their minds and bodies fresh. UMD's next scheduled contest is against Ashland (OH) University on Saturday (Mar. 13) with first pitch slated for 3 p.m. local time.