DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras softball team aimed to Strikeout Cancer in their doubleheader against the University of Dubuque on Tuesday. A grueling battle with the rain in game one opened the flood gates, resulting in 27 combined runs, but the Spartans grabbed the upper hand, winning 17–10. Game two brought with it a much different feel, including a new venue, as the Duhawks bounced back to win 4–3.
LORAS HIGHLIGHTS
- Dubuque was the first on the scoreboard in game one, scoring two by capitalizing on a Duhawk fielding error.
- Loras responded in their half of the first as sophomore Miranda Chapman reached on an error, which allowed junior Dani Stromert to score.
- The Spartans exploded for five runs on four hits in the second inning to take a 7–1 lead.
- After an hour rain delay, Loras came back strong in the bottom of the second, scoring five runs of their own to cut the deficit to one at 7–6.
- Stromert, Chapman and freshman Megan Larson each drew a walk with the bases loaded to score three runs.
- Dubuque kept swinging and extended its lead to 13–6 with six hits in the third inning.
- Loras attempted to close the gap with four runs in the fourth, highlighted by Regan Wolverton stealing home. This left the Duhawks trailing 14–10.
- Despite the comeback effort by Loras, the Spartans solidifed their advantage, adding three insurance runs in the seventh to take the 17–10 lead.
- As a result of the four-hour duration of game one, game two was moved to Dubuque Girls Independent League Softball Complex.
- The Duhawks were the first to strike in game two, scoring Stromert and freshman Nicole Majewski off a double by senior Makaila Haase in the home half of the first.
- Dubuque responded immediately with a leadoff double in the second. A two-out single cut the Loras lead in half.
- After both teams were held scoreless in the third and fourth frames, the Spartans scored on a single to tie the game 2-all.
- Following suit, Loras responded with two runs on one hit in the fifth inning to regain the lead.
- A lone run from the Spartans in the sixth left Loras with a 4–3 lead heading to the final frame seventh.
- The Duhawk defense ended the game on a double play as Chapman caught a foul-out at third and threw it to senior Julie Kistner at second to complete the double play.
- Haase kept the ball low and induced 14 ground outs. At first base, senior Ashlee Hoffman tied a season-high with 10 putouts.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Dani Stromert | The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native went 3-for-4 in game one with two runs and two RBIs. She leads the team with a 17-game on base streak after the doubleheader.
Julie Kistner | The senior led the team at the plate in game two, going 2-for-3. At second base, Kistner recorded two putouts, including the game-ending double play and added a pair of assists.
UP NEXT
The Duhawks play their final matchup of a four-game home stand against Buena Vista on Saturday for Senior Day. The Beavers (19–14, 6–4 IIAC) split with Simpson on Tuesday. Last season, the Duhawks and Beavers split in Storm Lake. The Duhawks fell 9–8 in game one, but took game two 6–3.
