MT. VERNON, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras softball team split their road match with Cornell on Wednesday taking game one 6–1, but falling 3–2 in game two. Despite being out-hit 19–13 on the day, the Duhawks were able to capitalize on Cornell errors and three doubles.
LORAS HIGHLIGHTS
- The Duhawks and Rams each struck early and both teams recorded a run in the second inning of game one.
- The third through fifth innings were quiet for Loras as the Duhawks did not tally a hit, but their defensive efforts were effective.
- Despite Cornell recording eight hits over the final four innings, the Duhawks held them to the lone run.
- Loras exploded for five hits in the top of the sixth, including three doubles from Larson and sophomores Miranda Chapman and Bria Lenten. Lenten and Larson now each have five doubles on the year.
- After the Duhawks struck for four runs, Cornell went to the bullpen, but Loras tacked on two more runs off of the reliever to take a 6–1 lead.
- The Rams loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh before senior Makaila Haase struck out Cornell's Jesse Applehans to end game one.
- Cornell was first to score in game two, bringing in two runs on three hits in the bottom of the first.
- Loras responded in the third inning, starting with singles from Chapman and Lenten. The sophomores came around to score with a two-RBI single by freshman Shannon Coyle to tie the game at 2-all.
- Three hits from the Rams in the fourth put Cornell back in front to take the 3–2 lead.
- The Duhawks were held hitless in the final three innings as Cornell took the game, 3–2.
- Junior Dani Stromert and freshman Hannah Towns increased their on-base streak to 11 and nine games, respectively. Stromert had three walks on the day while Towns added one walk and one hit.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Megan Larson | The freshman had a 2-for-4 performance in game one with one run and two RBIs. Her RBIs came from a double to center field that scored Stromert and senior
Julie Kistner.
Shannon Coyle | The Oak Forest, Ill. native provided the offense in game two for Loras, driving in both of the Duhawks' runs on one swing of the bat, a two-RBI single in the fourth inning.
UP NEXT
The Duhawks have a quick turnaround as they will suit up to face Millikin tomorrow on Faber-Clark Field. The Big Blue (12–10) split with Illinois Wesleyan on Wednesday, falling 4–1 in game one and taking game two 1–0. Loras last faced Millikin in 2014 and the Big Blue own a 3–1 record over the Duhawks in the series history.
