DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras College Softball team returns to the diamond on Thursday, taking on crosstown rival University of Dubuque as the two teams come together to Strikeout Cancer. The Duhawks dropped last season's doubleheader to the Spartans and will rely on a talented group of underclassmen to avenge the sweep and break into the win column in Iowa Conference play.
DUHAWKS SWEPT IN IOWA CONFERENCE OPENER ...
The Duhawks opened the conference slate against the nationally ranked Norse of Luther College. In game one, Loras jumped out to an early lead but Luther put up a crooked number late to take the game 13-4. Similarly, a strong start in game two faded as Loras left the bases loaded four times on their way to an 8-0 loss.
LORAS' PITCHERS SLOW LUTHER'S PENNINGTON ...
Entering Tuesday's Iowa Conference opener, Luther's Hilliary Pennington topped the league in several batting statistics. Owning a .611 batting average prior to the clash with the Duhawks, Pennington had reached by either hit or walk in every game for the Norse. Pennington's impressive streak came to an abrupt halt in game two against the Duhawks as the pitcher's worked their way ahead in the count and the defense made tough plays to retire Pennington. Hitting in the two-hole, Pennington finished the day 1-for-9 with one RBI and one run scored.
CROSSTOWN RIVALS TEAM UP TO STRIKEOUT CANCER ...
When the Duhawks and Spartans take the field on Thursday in Iowa Conference action, the teams will come together to Strikeout Cancer. An annual tradition between the crosstown rivals, the two teams hope to raise awareness and money for cancer research. Strikeout Cancer t-shirts can be purchased for $12, while the teams will remember those who fought cancer and recognize those still fighting. Proceeds from the event will go to the American Cancer Society.
SQUARING OFF AGAINST THE SPARTANS ...
Loras will look to hand the Spartans their first Iowa Conference loss of the season and avenge a sweep from a season ago. While both hitting and pitching will play a large role in the outcome, the Duhawks success on the base pads could be the difference maker. Dubuque is 10-of-12 in stolen bases while Loras' speedy undreclassmen have led the charge, swiping 35-of-39 bases.
WINTER'S TWEAKS CARRY LARGE RETURN ...
Coming into the 2015 season, head coach Ashley Winter and her coaching staff were excited about the versatility, speed, and depth that made up this season's roster. With 20 games in the books, the challenge has become maximizing the outcome. Doubleheaders against Robert Morris - Springfield and MacMurray this past weekend took a convincing step in the right direction. Winter and her staff did a little tinkering with the lineup, moving junior Julie Kistner into second in the order and shuffling the six through eight slots, and saw the results pay off in the form of 50 runs.
NOTEWORTHY WEEKEND, AMONG BEST FOR HAASE ...
Junior Makaila Haase turned in one of the best performances of her career this past weekend. Striking out 10 on the mound on her way to a perfect 2-0 weekend, Haase held her own in the batter's box. Blasting two home runs and driving in nine runs, Haase helped the Duhawks to a perfect 4-0 mark on the weekend. Hasse's career weekend, earned her Iowa Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week Honorable Mention.
STROMERT AMONG BEST IN CONFERENCE ...
A leadoff hitter's main repsonsibility is to get on base, by any means necessary. So far this season, sophomore Danielle Stromert has excelled in the role. Boast a .619 on base percentage, Stromert ranks second in the conference in the category. In her second year sporting the purple and gold, Stromert finds herself atop the conference standings in triples (3) and walks (26).
