ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State softball team began the 2013 season suffering two losses on Wednesday in the twinbill versus Minnesota Duluth.

SMSU (0-2) dropped game one to Minnesota Duluth (10-4) 10-2 before losing game two 8-0. The Mustangs were shutout seven times last season.

In game one, SMSU was held to five hits by UMD's Julia Nealer. Morgan Peterson was hitless (0 for 2) for the Mustangs but picked up the lone RBI in the game. Rachel Hoeppner suffered the loss, allowing nine earned runs and walking seven.

In game two, the Mutangs were held to just two hits in the game by Bulldog pitcher Cayli Sadler. Sadler improved to 4-1 on the season with the win, she pitched seven innings, while allowing two hits, striking out nine and only walking one. Chelsey Rodenkirch and Amy Dreessen picked up the two hits for the Mustangs in the loss.

SMSU will return to action with 12 games at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. on March 9-15