DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - Different from years past, the Loras College Softball team will open the 2015 season in the Augsburg Dome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Getting the season started with a afternoon doubleheader against St. Catherine's at 1:30 p.m., Loras will get back to the grind on Saturday morning with a doubleheader against Crown at 8:30 a.m. The meetings with the Wildcats and Storm will mark the first time the Duhawks have faced off against either opponent in over a decade.
TWO-SPORT ATHLETE: MIRANDA CHAPMAN ...After finishing up an impressive year as a freshman on the Loras College Women's Basketball team,
Miranda Chapman joins the Duhawks on the diamond. An athletic two-sport athlete from Mount Vernon, Iowa, Chapman showed her calm demeanor during the basketball season. A level-headed infielder, Chapman has the ability to make her presence known early.
PITCHING TO BE TESTED EARLY AND OFTEN ...Opening weekend will test the arms of the Duhawks pitching staff, with big bats slotted in opposing lineups. For the Wildcats, Loras will be charge with holding junior Robyn Rohr and freshman Kyle Macziewski in check. Just last week the duo showed their ability to drive in runs and lace a ball over the fence. Without a game under their belt to date, Crown poses different issues for the Duhawks. With a plethora of new faces, the Storm also return their top hitters from a season ago. The opening weekend series will hinge on the abilty of the Duhawks' pitching staff to stay in front of hitters and hit spots senior catcher
Nora Zerante lays out for them.
FOUR HOME SERIES ON THE SLATE ...Spending a majority of 2015 on the road, the Duhawks will host Iowa Wesleyan, Luther, Central, and Coe at Faber Clarke Field. Iowa Wesleyan comes to town for the Duhawks home opener on March 24 for a midweek bout. One week after facing the Tigers, Loras welcomes Luther to town for their Iowa Conference opener on March 31. Loras closes out the home portion of their schedule with Central on April 11 before hosting Coe on April 25 for Senior Day.
DUHAWKS FILL SPOTS OF RIGDON AND MANDIALARDI ...With the losses of
Alaina Rigdon and
Lara Mangialardi to graduation, the Duhawks will look to fresh faces to fill the voids left in the outfield and on the mound. Filling Mangialardi's role in the circle will be a combination of junior
Makaila Haase, sophomore
Erin Hosch, and freshman
Emma Corkill. As for replacing Rigdon in the outfield, the Duhawks could see a returner step into center to allow freshman
Regan Wolverton and other get comfortable before transitioning them into the center field role.
