CLERMONT, Fla. (Duhawks.com) - The Loras softball team improved to 8-0 on Saturday with a 12-0 win over Skidmore accompanied by a 10-2 win over Knox. In the first game of the day, freshman Emily Reilly pitched a six-inning complete game, allowing only three hits while striking out five. Sophomore Ashley Lentine went 3-for-4 from the plate in the Duhawks win over the Prairie Fire while driving in two runs.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Game One vs. Skidmore

• Skidmore was first to threaten with a base runner in the bottom of the first after a base hit.Reilly forced a pop up behind third base and junior Bria Lenten made a great effort to make the catch before doubling up the runner at first.
• Lenten came up big once again on the defensive side of the ball as the Cedar Rapids native made a diving stop in the third base gap and threw the runner out to first from her knees to end the second inning.
• In the top of the third inning, Loras used the momentum from Lenten's defense and proceeded to rattle off five runs on five hits, including a leadoff triple from Lentine and a double by Lenten.
• Neither Skidmore nor Loras recorded any runs until the Duhawks went off again in the sixth, plating seven runs, which included three sacrifice bunts and a squeeze, executed to perfection by senior Dani Stromert. 
• Reilly returned to the circle for the sixth and recorded a pair of strikeouts before forcing the final batter to fly out to end the game.

Game Two vs Knox

• Loras fed off the momentum from the earlier win to jump on the board early thanks to a double from sophomore Megan Larson and a sacrifice fly by junior Shannon Coyle, opening a 2-0 lead in the first. 
• A bases-clearing triple by the Prairie Fire in the second inning pulled the game to even at 2-all.
• Lentine recorded her second triple of the day, this time to right center, driving in Lenten for the lead before coming around to score on a sacrifice fly by Larson.
• In both the third and fourth innings, Loras loaded the bases but on both occasions came away empty handed.s. 
• Entering the sixth inning ahead 5-2, the Duhawks exploded for five runs on three hits, included a bases-clearing double by Lenten, which ended the game due to mercy rule.

NOTABLES

• The Duhawks' 8-0 start ties the best start in program history, matching the 2007 season.
• Loras' three sacrifice hits is the most this season
• Junior Regan Wolverton, Larson and Lentine each ran their hitting streaks to eight
• With Reilly's shutout against Skidmore, the freshman ranks fourth in the Iowa Conference with a 0.95 ERA

SOUNDBITES | Bria Lenten, Emily Reilly and Ashley Lentine


UP NEXT
The Duhawks continue their spring trip on Sunday with games against St. Scholastica at 9 a.m. ET and against Hamilton at 11:15 a.m. ET.