DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras softball team dropped their third conference doubleheader of the season to Simpson on Saturday falling to the Storm 11–3 in game one. A late seventh-inning rally came up short as they fell 8–7 in game two.
LORAS HIGHLIGHTS
- Simpson was first to strike in game one as the Storm drove in five runs in the top of the second, starting by a two-RBI home run from Chaplin.
- The Duhawks responded in their half of the inning with a homer of their own, courtesy of senior Makaila Haase. The senior sent the first pitch she saw over the center field fence for her fifth four-bagger of the season.
- The Storm increased their lead to 8–1 tacking on one run in the fourth and two in the fifth.
- Simpson continued to pull away with three runs in the sixth with the help of a two-RBI single from Guessford, taking an 11–1 lead.
- The Duhawks did not secede. Loras scored two runs in the sixth with an RBI single by sophomore Miranda Chapman followed by an RBI walk from sophomore Regan Wolverton.
- Unfortunately, this late effort was not enough as the Duhawks fell 11–3 in game one.
- Simpson carried their offensive success into game two, quickly taking a 2–0 lead.
- The Duhawks struggled on offense with only three hits through the first three innings.
- The Storm took a 4–0 lead in the third inning with a two-RBI homer from Guessford.
- Loras closed the gap in the fourth as junior Cate Paulsen singled through the right side, scoring sophomore Bria Lenten.
- Despite Simpson taking an 8–1 lead after the sixth, the Duhawks did not give up.
- With two outs in the sixth, freshman Shannon Coyle singled through the right side to score Paulsen and junior Dani Stromert.
- Later in the inning, Chapman singled to the shortstop to score freshman Megan Larson, cutting Duhawks' deficit to four, 8–4.
- Coyle was also successful on defense in game two as she caused two double plays, catching two line drives at second base and tossing them to Larson for the out at first.
- The Duhawk defense dominated the top of the seventh as Haase induced three groundouts to Lenten at shortstop.
- Loras' seventh-inning rally began with a two-RBI triple from Stromert to pull within two, 8–6.
- Stromert came around to score after Larson singled to right field leaving the Duhawks down by one.
- Sadly, these efforts fell short as Simpson ended the inning on a double play to take the game, 8–7.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Makaila Haase | The senior went 1-for-2 in game one with two runs and one RBI. She extended both her on base streak and hitting streak to six games.
Dani Stromert | The junior went 2-for-3 in game two with two walks, two RBIs and two runs. Her triple in the sixth inning started the Duhawk's late three-run rally. After the doubleheader, Stromert has increased her on base streak to 15 games.
UP NEXT
The Duhawks return to the diamond on Tuesday, April 19 against the University of Dubuque. Last season, Loras split with the Spartans falling 12–9 in game one but taking game two 10–2. First pitch is set for 3:00 pm on Faber-Clark Field.
