UMD Softball Eyes Revenge in NSIC Quarterfinal Matchup Against Winona State

It's been over a month since UMD and Winona State last played each other. The Warriors took both games 7 to 2 and 3 to 2.

DULUTH, Minn.- The regular season is in the rear-view mirror for the UMD softball team.

Now, the games really matter as the Bulldogs enter NSIC tournament play.

With the 39 and 14 finish to the regular season, UMD earned the 3rd seed and will match up with the 6th seed, Winona State in the quarterfinals.

It’s been over a month since they last met up, with the Warriors taking both games 7 to 2 and 3 to 2.

Senior Lauren Dixon and freshman Maddy Walsh, who both pitched in those games say that they’re confident they’ll turn the result around this time.

“We’ve faced Winona enough, they’re a great team and they’re very capable of doing great things. But, I know for those games specifically, those games aren’t ones I walked away from and said hey they beat us. I think that was a lot of us beating ourselves and I know we’re a much better team since then and we’ve kind of found our groove. So we’re just kind of rolling on that and going from there,” said Dixon.

“We’re really good at hitting the ball and our defense. So I just think if we play our game, we’ll be good,” added Walsh.

For head coach Lynn Anderson, she says when it comes to tournament time, it’s important to remember the basics.

“Doing the simple things well, I think is a big thing. We focused on that as a team and just taking care of the ball defensively and hitting your spots as pitchers, putting good swings on the ball, communication on defense. Just doing all the little things really well, coupled with the fact you just have this hunger to compete and belief in yourself and in each other,” said Anderson.

First pitch between the Warriors and Bulldogs is set for 5:30 pm on Thursday in Sioux Falls.