SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Duhawks.com) - Explosive bats and dynamite pitching propelled the Loras College Softball team to a sweep of Robert Morris University - Springfield on Saturday. Junior Makaila Haase earned a win on the mound while blasting two home runs on the way to Loras' sweep (16-1, 14-2) of the Eagles.

Loras (9-9, 0-0) broke into the scoring column first, as freshman Bria Lenten started the second inning with a free pass. Using her wheels, Lenten moved into second safely, before advancing to third on a ground out to the right side. With Lenten standing on third, senior Nora Zerante came to the plate for her first at bat of the day. Taking a few pitches, Zerante timed up the next pitch and laced a single up the middle to drive in Lenten. The RBI-single off the bat of Zerante gave the Duhawks the early 1-0 edge over the Eagles (2-14, 0-0).

As senior Holly Klein worked her magic on the mound, the Duhawks bats provided plenty of run support for the Dubuque, Iowa native. 

The Duhawks tacked on three more runs in the third inning, as junior Makaila Haase blasted a home run over the fence in left field, extending Loras' lead to 5-0. 

Sophomore Danielle Stromert followed up Haase's lead with a home run of her own in the fourth, driving in two. Feeding off the energy of Stromert's dinger, Haase singled up the middle, capping an eight-run inning by the Duhawks. 

Adding two more runs in the fifth, the Duhawks finished off the Eagles 16-1 in five innings for the game one victory.

Picking up where they left off in game one, the Duhawks opened the game with two runs in the opening frame. Freshman Regan Wolverton singled after Stromert reached on an error, putting runners on first and second for junior Julie Kistner. Battling in the count, Kistner singled up the middle to score Stromert before Wolverton scored on a groundout later in the inning.

Carrying a 2-0 lead into the second, Loras added to their lead. A three-run homer off the bat of Haase highlighted a six-run inning by the Duhawks. 

The Eagles cut into Loras' lead in the bottom of the second, but the Duhawks responded in the top of the third. 

Back-to-back walks by Zerante and Stromert were followed by a RBI-single by Wolverton. After Wolverton drove in Zerante, senior Katie Serpico stepped to the plate with two on and two out. Fouling off several pitches, Serpico worked her way to a full count. The senior's patience at the plate paid off, as she found a pitch she liked and sent it well over the fence in center field. 

Haase kept the Eagles bats in check from the point on, and the Duhawks extended their lead to 14-2 in the top of the fifth. Freshman Tara Shingler made her season debut, shutting down Robert Morris in the bottom of the fifth to end the game and secure the sweep for the Duhawks.

Game Changer
The Duhawks took the lead early in each game, never relinquishing their advantage

Key Stat
Loras outhit Robert Morris .459 to .250 on the day

Notables

• Loras has won four straight games for the second time this season
• Sophomore Danielle Stromert hit the first home run of her career
• Freshman Tara Shingler made her Duhawk debut, pitching one inning in game two 
• The Duhawks have scored at least 12 runs in four straight games, they have only scored double-digit runs five times this season

Quotable
Ashley Winter, head coach

"We continue to learn a lot about our pitching staff. Getting all of our pitchers experience in the circle will be a major benefit for us going into Iowa Conference play."

"We've changed our lineup a few different times in an effort to maximize runs production. Today was a great day and we were pleased with our situational hitting. Our depth and athleticism continues to be a major asset for our team and something our coaching staff is very excited about."

Up Next
The Duhawks continue their weekend road trip on Sunday when they travel to Jacksonville, Illinois to take on MacMurray College with hopes of extending their four-game win streak. First pitch is set for 11 a.m.