Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

MARSHALL, Minn. - Amanda Burkhart set a school record for career RBIs and drove in the only Southwest Minnesota State runs of the day as the Mustangs split a doubleheader with NSIC-opponent Minnesota Duluth on Saturday afternoon at Mustang Field in Marshall.  UMD posted a 6-0 win game one, while SMSU countered with a 2-0 victory in game two.

Burkhart's two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning of game two gave the senior two more RBIs and a career total of 129--surpassing the previous record of 127 career RBIs held by current SMSU student assistant coach Erin Dickhausen.

With the split SMSU moves to 16-16 (8-2 NSIC), while UMD now holds a 14-18 (5-7 NSIC) record.

UMD's Kristen Danielson was solid on the mound for the Bulldogs in game one of the twinbill, working a complete game and allowing just one hit--that comming in the bottom of the sixth inning on a bunt.

The Bulldogs tore out of the gates in the opening inning, scoring three runs of four hits to take a 3-0 lead.  They stretched the lead to 4-0 in the top of the third, using a pair of hits to get a runner in scoring position and send her home.

Two more runs in the fifth and sixth innings got the Bulldogs a 6-0 advantage, and that's what they settled on for the win.

Meaghan Laetsch accounted for that lone hit--a bunt--that Danielson gave up.

Amanda Johnson suffered the loss for SMSU, going 5.0 innings and allowing nine hits and three earned runs.  She is now 7-7 on the year.  Sara Silke tossed the final 2.0 innings, giving up a pair of hits.

Game two shaped up to be a pitching battle for both squads; Danielson again worked the circle for UMD, while Ali Honken was on the mound for SMSU.

UMD and SMSU combined for six hits through 5.5 innings of play, but neither team was able to get on the board.  It wasn't until the bottom of the sixth inning that Amanda Burkhart broke the 0-0 tie when she unleashed her two-run homer to give SMSU a 2-0 advantage.  Christine Borowiak had singled prior to Burkhart's at-bat to reach base.

Honken walked one batter before recording a strike out and forcing a ground out and fly out to end the game in the top of the seventh.

The 2-0 victory was Honken's second shutout of her career and second this season.  She improves to 4-5 on the season.

SMSU will host Augustana on Wednesday in a 3 p.m. conference doubleheader.