DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - Saturday brings the Duhawks back to Faber-Clark as they host Central College in an Iowa Conference doubleheader. The Duhawks split with Buena Vista on Friday, while the Dutch split with University of Dubuque.

ABOUT CENTRAL
Posting a 4-0 record last week, the Dutch climbed three spots in the poll. Now sitting at No. 13, Central travels to Faber-Clark for a weekend clash with the Duhawks.

With a trio of consistenly powerful bats atop the lineup, the potent offense of the Dutch produces more than seven runs per game. Abby Strajack and Karlee Rock pace the offense, carrying batting averages above the .400 mark into Saturday's contests. At .459, Strajack leads to team in batting average while also posting team-bests in runs (36), hits (45), and stolen bases (18). Strajack's speed on the bases adds to her threat in the batter's box. While 38-of-45 hits have been singles, Strajack has set the table for Rock this season. Teeing off for a team-best 11 home runs this season, Rock boasts a .438 batting average while owning a .938 slugging percentage. With 32 hits on the season, Rock has driven in a team-best 36 in 2015.

Backed by plenty of run support, Central's pitching staff has silenced opponents bats for much of the season. Splitting starts, Trisha Smith and Mallory Schulenberg have combined to fan 108 with seven complete games to their credit.

GRUELING IOWA CONFERENCE SLATE CONTINUES
Thanks to mother nature, the Duhawks will travel to Storm Lake, Iowa on Friday before hosting No. 13 Central on Saturday. The Dutch are one of three ranked teams in the Iowa Conference and will test the Duhawks in every facet of the game. Senior Holly Klein and junior Makaila Haase will likely take the mound for the Duhawks, being charged with shutting down the bats of an explosive Central lineup. In last season's match up the bats of the Dutch got the best of Loras' pitching, bullying them to the tune of 28 runs in two games. Matching the talented bats of the Dutch is a dynamic duo that headlines Central's pitching staff. Being held to .088 a season ago, the Duhawks will rely on a plethora of new bats to drive in runs and lift Loras past the Dutch.

DIII WEEK CELEBRATION COMING TO FABER-CLARK
The Loras College Student Athlete Advisory Committee will host a cookout at Saturday's game in celebration of DIII Week.

CALLING ALL LORAS SOFTBALL CAMPERS
The Duhawks invite all campers to Saturday's game as part of Camper Appreciation Day. With raffles taking place throughout the game, prizes will range from water bottles to a camp voucher. In addition to the opportunity to win prizes, campers will be brought on the field to run the bases and take a photo with the team before members of the 2015 Loras Softball team sign posters.

DUHAWKS HAPPY TO WELCOME BACK ALUMNI
The Loras College Softball team will welcome back alumni to Saturday's doubleheader. With players from the graduating class of 1989 to 2013, the Duhawks are happy to welcome a talented group back to Faber Clarke Field.

RIVALS COME TOGETHER TO STRIKEOUT CANCER
Loras and University of Dubuque joined forces last week, taking part in their fourth annual Strikeout Cancer game. Working together to raise awareness, the crosstown rivals raised over $1,600 to benefit the American Cancer Society.

WOLVERTON SHARES SPECIAL MOMENT ON THE MOUND
A special part of the Strikeout Cancer games the Duhawks share with University of Dubuque are the ceremonial first pitches thrown out prior to each of the games. As the host, the Spartans tabbed long-time maintenance man, Randall Meyer. In game two, freshman Regan Wolverton walked her grandmother Dottie Wolverton to the mound. Dottie Wolverton turned Regan Wolverton onto softball, often playing softball together. A 14 year breast cancer survivor, Dottie Wolverton, tossed a strike to senior catcher Nora Zerante, wrapping up the pre-game ceremony.

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.

NEW FACES ON THE COACHING STAFF
Since the end of the 2014 season, the Duhawks have added a pair of experienced coaches. Overseeing the pitchers and catchers is Kevin Schuchmann, a softball pitching clinician since 1996. Schuchmann brings a new perspective with an analytic mind that has really challenged the Duhawks pitching staff this offseason. His ability to work one-on-one with both pitchers and catchers has bee a great addition to the staff. Joining Schuchmann and the rest of Winter's coaching staff is Lynn Heitkamp. After working in the high school ranks, Heitkamp joins the staff to work with slap hitters and outfielders.

EARLY START TO THE SEASON EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL
Although the Loras College Softball team was able to start the season earlier than they have in the past, mother nature did not cooperate, leaving the Duhawks to practice indoors. The early start to the season allowed the freshman to find their footing before spring semester classes began and gave the team a chance to come together as one. "I think the early start really benefited the freshman the most," head coach Ashley Winter said. "It let them get comfortable without having to take on too much at once. Really, I think it helped our team chemistry overall."

CRYSTAL CLEAR HIGH-DEFINITION
For the fans that are unable to attend home games, they'll be treated to a first-class ticket to the first high-definition online stream produced by Loras College Athletics. During the offseason, thanks largely in part to an anonymous donation, the Loras College Athletic Communications Department upgraded its hardware and technology and will now provide high-definition broadcasts of its home contests all season long. To watch, simply go to: www.duhawks.com/live

FOLLOW @LORASSOFTBALL THIS SEASON
Keep track of the Duhawks 2015 season by following them on Twitter (@LorasSoftball and @LorasAthletics). Be sure to follow the Duhawks over the course of the season and keep up to date on everything Loras Softball.