DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras softball team split with Buena Vista on Saturday, narrowly missing out on a series sweep of the Beavers. Prior to first pitch, seniors
Julie Kistner Ashlee Hoffmann ,
Makaila Haase and Alexis Seth were honored for their contributions to the Duhawk softball program.
LORAS HIGHLIGHTS
- Days after the first NCAA Regional Rankings were released and placed five Iowa Conference teams inside the top-eight, including Buena Vista, Loras refused to let the notoriety influence them in their quest for a victory.
- Hoffmann opened the scoring with a RBI groundout and the Duhawks takced on a second run int he frame off a RBI single by junior Dani Stromert.
- The Beavers' offense finally found its stride in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs on four hits, and in the process were helped by a Loras fielding error.
- Once back in the dugout, the Duhawks went right back to work, reclaiming the three-run lead.
- After the first two batters of the inning were retired on strikes, sophomore Miranda Chapman and senior Makaila Haase reached base by a hit by pitch and walk.
- A single by freshman Hannah Towns loaded the bases before sophomore Bria Lenten emptied them with one swing of the bat.
- As a team, Loras has driven in 77 of its 157 runs with two outs.
- Leading 5–3 entering the final frame, the wheels came off for the Duhawks. The first two batters of the inning reached for Buena Vista and quickly came around to score on a passed ball and a single.
- A pitching change for Loras placed Haase on the mound, but the senior was unable to slow the bleeding.
- The Beavers capitalized on an untimely fielding error to take the 7–5 lead before a RBI triple made it 8–5.
- In the home half of the seventh, the Duhawk offense sputtered with two strikeouts and a fly out to end the game.
- Loras showed little hangover in game two, although it did take them until the third to get on the board.
- On the mound in game two, Haase was elusive and effective, limiting Buena Vista to three hits over the first three innings.
- Freshman Megan Larson led off the bottom of the third with a double to right center and later scored after Haase helped herself out with a two-run home run.
- Loras loaded the bases with one out in the third, but came up snakebit after a strikeout and fielder's choice ended the inning without any additional runs.
- Haase pitched around a fielding error in the fourth and once again, kept the Beavers off the board.
- The offense got right back to work in the fourth, scoring three more runs on four hits, highlighted by a solo shot by Larson off the scoreboard in right field.
- Buena Vista managed to partially solve Haase with two runs in the fifth on three hits. They later tacked on an additional run in the seventh, but it was too little, too late.
- Haase went the distance for Loras, allowing one walk over seven innings with five strikeouts.
- Junior Dani Stromert extended her reached base streak to 18 games thanks to a hit by pitch in game two.
- Haase and Chapman extended their reached base streak as well, with Haase at 11 games and Chapman at 10.
- Loras improved to .400 hitting with the bases loaded, compared to its opponents, who are hitting .292.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Bria Lenten | The shortstop reached base in all three plate appearances, adding a walk to a double and a single. Lenten was responsible for three of Loras' five RBIs, all coming on a bases clearing double in the fifth.
Megan Larson | The freshman recorded her first 4-for-4 game in her collegiate career, with three of the four hits going for extra bases. Larson raised her batting average to .405 and her slugging percentage to .689.
UP NEXT
Loras continues Iowa Conference play on Tuesday as they head to Decorah to face No. 2 Luther. The Norse enter with a 32–2 overall record and are 9–1 in the IIAC. Their lone blemish in conference play came against Wartburg, a 12–4 loss in six innings.
