MANKATO, Minn. - The Northwest Missouri State University softball team dropped a 6-2 decision to Minnesota-Duluth. 

Northwest out-hit UMD, 11-7. Abby Nolte and Sophie Mayhugh each tallied two-hit days for the Bearcats. 

Northwest put together two hits in the top of the first. Jacee Winn led off with a single up the middle. Lauren Gray reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second when Madison Friest singled through the right side with two outs. Both runners would be stranded when Mayhugh flew out to right to end the inning.

UMD scored an unearned run in the first to take a 1-0 lead.

Nolte led off the second with a single, but could not advance past first as the rest of the Bearcat order went down in order.

The Bulldogs put up a three-spot in the second to up their lead to 4-0.

The Bearcats looked to have something cooking in the top of the third. Winn reached on an error and Gray followed with a single to give the Bearcats runners at first and second with nobody out. However, Olivia Daugherty hit into a double play and Friest grounded out to first to end the scoring threat.

Duluth added a single run in the bottom of the third to push the margin to 5-0. 

Mayhugh and Nolte led off the fourth with back-to-back singles. Hannah Blackford reached on a fielder's choice to move pinch runner Brylee Kemper to third. Lela Bryant drove in Kember with an RBI single to center to cut the UMD lead to 5-1. Winn grounded out to end the fourth.

For the fifth straight inning, Northwest's leadoff batter reached base as Gray drew a walk. Avery Anderson singled to center, but Mayhugh and Nolte were retired to stop the scoring opportunity.

UMD tallied another run in the fifth on a walk and a double to take a 6-1 lead.

Northwest added a pair of hits in the seventh as Daugherty singled with one out. Mayhugh tallied an RBI triple with two outs to plate Daugherty.

Northwest starter Breck Dickey pitched 4 1/3 innings and took the loss to fall to 0-2. Dickey allowed seven hits and six runs (five earned). Dickey walked six and struck out four. Hayden Simmons pitched the final 1 2/3 innings of no-hit ball and struck out two Bulldogs.

Northwest will head south next week with a destination slated for Bentonville, Ark. Northwest will take part in the Alva Early Classic and match up against Arkansas-Monticello, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Illinois-Springfield, Drury and Southern Arkansas.