TUSCON, Ariz. (Duhawks.com) - Wrapping up their spring trip at the Tuscon Invitational Games, the Loras College Softball team finished Sunday's games 1-1. The Duhawks opened play with a 4-0 blanking of the Marian Sabres. Evening their record on the day, Loras was plagued by a shaky start, falling 5-1 to the Edgewood Eagles.

Loras (5-7) opened play with a bout against the Sabres (3-7) at Lincoln Field. With senior Holly Klein keeping Marian's bats silent, the Duhawks jumped on the board in their first at bats.

Freshman Regan Wolverton reached on an error before scoring on an RBI-single by senior Katie Serpico in the bottom of the first. 

The 1-0 lead proved to be all the Duhawks needed as Klein went the distance on the mound. Over the next six innings Loras added insurance runs.

In the third, junior Julie Kistner singled to right to bring in Wolverton, doubling the Duhawks lead (2-0) before adding two more in the fourth. 

The Duhawks rode the 4-0 lead to the end, as Klein secured the shutout on the mound with a strikeout to end the game.

Looking to carry the momentum over into their second game of the day, the Duhawks faced off against Edgewood (4-6), with hopes of avenging an early week loss.

A shaky start by Loras opened the door for the Eagles. Taking full advantage of the opportunity, Edgewood scored three runs in the first two innings to take control early.

Fighting to get back into the game, the Duhawks pitching staff held the Eagles to one run over the next two innings.

Heading into the fifth inning trailing by three, Loras was in dire need of a run. After stranding countless runner's on base, time was running out on the Duhawks' comeback push.

Displaying her poise in the box, sophomore Danielle Stromert drew her second walk of the game with one out. After taking a first pitch ball, junior Makaila Haase found herself behind in the count (1-2). Protecting the plate, Haase shortened her swing and sent the ball to a gap in right center. The two-bagger of the bat of Haase moved Stromert from first to third, setting the table for freshman Regan Wolverton. With Stromert and Haase in scoring position, Wolverton laced a single up the middle. Stromert crossed the plate but Haase was held up at third after a quick play by the Eagles outfield. 

Despite a promising start to the inning, the Duhawks stranded two on base. 

Loras' cut into the deficit was quickly erased as the Eagles added a run in their part of the fifth, pushing the score to 5-1.

Taking their last at bats of the game, the Duhawks needed four runs to tie and five to lead in the top of the seventh. Head coach elected to open the inning with junior Ashlee Hoffmann pinch hitting. Ahead in the count, 3-1, Hoffmann drove a ball to the right side. A stretching play by the Eagles' second basemen robbed Hoffman of the hit, bringing the top of the order up with one out. 

Calm under pressure, Stormert worked for a free pass, her third of the game, before advancing to second on a wild pitch. After Wolverton reached on an error, senior Katie Serpico walked to load the bases with two outs. With sophomore Brian Lenten due up, the Eagles elected to make a swap in the circle, bringing in Rachel DeJongh in relief of Karlie Klossner. A timely decision for the Eagles, Lenten fell behind in the count (0-2) before grounding out to the shortstop, ending the Duhawks rally.

With the 5-1 loss, the Duhawks finished the Tuscon Invitational Games 3-5.

Game Changer
Serpico's rbi-single in the bottom gave the Duhawks all they needed for the win over the Sabres … Scoring in the first two innings proved to be too much to overcome for the Duhawks against the Eagles

Key Stat
Loras had plenty of opportunities to plate a few runs but could not push runner's across the plate, stranding 18 on base … Their opponents stranded 13

Notables

• Senior Holly Klein pitched a three-hit shutout against the Sabres, her second blanking of the season
• Klein struckout a season-best six batters against Marian
• Freshman Regan Wolverton excelled at the top of the lineup, driving in two and scoring twice
• Wolverton has a four-game hitting streak

Up Next
Loras returns to Iowa with five days to prepare for a trip to Mount Vernon, Iowa on Friday. The Duhawks will take on Cornell College in doubleheader action at 4 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Sports Complex.