Wartburg (21-16, 2-10) carried a four-run first inning through to the end, as the Duhawks (16-18, 3-9) fell, 7-5, in game one.

Never leading, the Duhawks broke up the scoreless outing in the fifth. A two-out single by junior Julie Kistner proved to be a turning point for Loras' bats. After senior Katie Serpico walked, Kistner came around to score on a RBI-single by freshman Bria Lenten. 

With sophomore Erin Hosch holding steady in the circle, the Duhawks plated three more in the sixth to pull within three. A one-out triple by senior Nora Zerante brought about a pinch hitting opportunity for junior Ashlee Hoffmann. Stepping into the batter's box, Hoffman worked the count in her favor before taking first after being beamed in the back. Back-to-back singles by sophomore Danielle Stromert and freshman Regan Wolverton drove in two before Kistner's sac-fly scored Stromert, ending Loras' three-run inning. 

Hosch and the Duhawks' defense took care of the Knights quickly in the bottom half of the sixth, bringing up their final at bats. A leadoff double by Lenten followed by a single by junior Makaila Haase and walk by Zerante, loaded the bases for sophomore Katherine Angelini. A hard hit grounder off the bat of Angelini was fired to the plate, getting Loras' lead runner. 

Down to their final out, Stromert singled up the middle to score one before Loras' late inning rally fell short, 7-5.

Loras came back with vengeance in game two, scoring two in the opening frame. Stromert ledoff the game with a single to get things going for Loras. After a sacrifice bunt by Wolverton moved Stromert to second, Kistner doubled off the fence in center field. Trading places with Stromert, Kistner crossed the plates moments later on a RBI-single by Lenten.

Trailing by one after the Knights plated three in their half of the first, the Duhawks plated four in the third. A single by Kistner was sandwiched in between walks by Wolverton and Serpico, loading the bases for Lenten. A laser to third was too hot to handle for the Knights' third baseman, allowing Lenten to reach on the error and Wolverton to score. Haase capped the inning, blasting a bases clearing double to put Loras in front 6-3.

Unable to capitalize on opportunities down the stretch, the Duhawks found themselves tied heading to the bottom of the seventh when Wartburg's clean up hitter bent a deep fly ball just inside the foul pole and over the fence, ending the game in favor of the Knights, 7-6.

Game Changer
In game one, the Knights took the momentum from the start and carried it through until the end … After taking the early edge in game two, the Duhawks failed to capitalize on opportunities late in the game

Key Stat
Loras stranded 13 runners while the Knights left seven on base

Notables

• Senior Nora Zerante hit the first triple of her career in game one
• Sophomore Danielle Stromert reached base safely in each game
• Heading into Tuesday's games, sophomore Danielle Stromert ranked fifth nationally in walks
• Loras has lost four games straight, their longest losing streak since dropping four games in Arizona from March 13-14

Up Next

A quick turnaround sends the Duhawks across the border to Platteville, Wisconsin where they will take on the University of Wisconsin - Platteville Pioneers. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.