DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - After playing eight games in sunny Tuscon, Arizona the Loras College Softball team opens play in Iowa this weekend. With games against Cornell and St. Olaf set for this weekend in Mount Vernon, Iowa, the Duhawks look to build momentum for Iowa Conference play.
STROMERT EXCELLING AT TOP OF ORDER ...
Expectations were high for sophomore Danielle Stromert coming into the 2015 season. After posting an impressive freshman season, Stromert is looked to captain the outfield and fuel the Duhawks' batting order. Starting 48 consecutive games, Stromert has taken on the role and run with it. Batting leadoff in every game this season, the Cedar Rapids, Iowa product leads the team in batting average (.464), on-base percentage (.674), walks (16), hits (10), and doubles (4).
NEW FACES CARRY CONSISTENT BATS ...
Coming into the season, head coach Ashley Winter knew her team was full of young talent. With 12 games under their belts, the Duhawks newcomers are living up to the hype. Junior Julie Kistner is second on the team is second on the team in batting average (.308) while boasting a .953 fielding percentage at second base. In addition to Kistner, freshmen Bria Lenten, Savannah Fowler, and Regan Wolverton have proved to be dangerous in the batter's box. Paired with their ability to produce runs, the trio has notched a few web gems in the early part of the season. Together, the four have combined for 18 RBI and 17 runs scored.
WOLVERTON HEATS UP IN ARIZONA SUN ...
The Tuscon Invitational Games saw freshman Regan Wolverton's play take off. Reaching base in 6-of-7 games, Wolverton crossed the plate six times while driving in five. The infielder turned outfielder, swiped two bases in Tuscon and moved up in the order. Her ability to put the ball in play is a valuable asset for the Duhawks at the top of the order.
DUHAWKS FINISH TUSCON INVITATIONAL GAMES 3-5 ...
Opening the Tuscon Invitational 2-0, with wins over Baldwin Wallace and Cedar Crest, the Duhawks capped their spring trip with a 4-0 blanking of Marian. Sophomore Danielle Stromert and freshman Regan Wolverton showed consistency at the plate while senior Katie Serpico notched her first dinger of the season. With losses to stiff competition, the trip helped the Duhawks prepare for Iowa Conference play.
CLEAN SHEETS FOR KLEIN IN TUSCON ...
Anchoring the pitching staff, senior Holly Klein will have a significant influence on the Duhawks success this season. Finishing the Tuscon Invitational Games 2-2, moving her to 3-3 on the season, Klein finished the trip in stellar fashion. After an opening trip shutout over Baldwin Wallace (3-0), Klein fell in back-to-back starts. Responding convincingly, the Dubuque, Iowa native shutout of the Sabres of Marian while striking out a season-best six batters on her way to the complete game win.
responding to adversity ...
The Duhawks' spring trip tested their ability to bounce back. Facing off against Alfred and Edgewood twice, losing big in game one can shake the confidence of a young team. In the case of the Duhawks, the team displayed an immense amount of grit and a short term memory. Unable to overcome the Saxons and Eagles, the Duhawks played significantly tighter games, holding leads early.
loras tees off, capping four-game win streak ...
Carrying a two-game sweep of Crown into last week's games, the Duhawks opened play in Arizona with back-to-back wins, moving their win streak to four. Paced by a complete game shutout by senior Holly Klein the Duhawks earned a 3-0 win on day one in Arizona. On day two, it ws all about the bats as Loras exploded for 10 runs, their highest production of the season. Junior Makaila Haase earned the win on the mound thanks to a pair of RBI's from senior Katie Serpico and freshman Bria Lenten.
