DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras softball team closed out the home portion of its 2017 schedule with a split against 10th-ranked Coe on Tuesday, winning in walk off fashion in game one, 7-6, before dropping game two, 5-0.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Game One
- After a leadoff home run, Coe tacked on two more runs to take a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the first.
- The Duhawks responded in the home half of the inning, loading the bases with one out but failed to cut into the Kohawk lead.
- Loras carried the momentum into the second as freshman Emily Reilly bounced back and set Coe down in order.
- In the bottom of the second, singles by junior Savannah Fowler and sophomore Megan Larson pushed across two runs on a pair of singles.
- The Duhawks took the lead after back-to-back home runs by senior Dani Stromert and sophomore Lauren Fritz.
- Loras extended its lead to two after sophomore Ashley Lentine scored as a result of a Coe fielding error in the bottom of the fourth.Â
- The Kohawks began their comeback in the sixth, scoring on a single to left center and later tying the game after a throwing error on the Duhawks.Â
- With the game tied at 5-all, Loras opened the home half of the seventh with back-to-back singles by Stomert and Fritz. After an intentional walk to senior Cate Paulsen, Wolverton connected on a 3-2 pitch and sent it to the wall for the win.
Game Two
- Sophomore Bayley Monroe tossed a 1-2-3 inning for Loras to start game two.
- After the Duahwks were set down in order, Coe led off the second with a solo home run to take the early lead.
- In the top of the fourth inning, the Kohawks increased its lead to 3-0 on two hits and a Loras fielding error.
- After Coe added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh, the Duhawks managed to move runners to first and second but were unable to crack the scoreboard, falling 5-0.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Regan Wolverton | Finishing with three hits over the course of Tuesday's doubleheader, Wolverton delivered the knockout punch in the bottom of the seventh and lifted the Duhawks to the 6-5 win.
NOTABLES
- Reilly improved to 10-6 this season, earning the complete game win in the opener
- Stromert raised her batting average to .416, which is more than 50 points higher than her previous best (.347)
- Tuesday's split moved the Duhawks to 6-8 in conference play and one win from earning a trip to the 2017 IIAC Tournament, the program's first postseason appearance since 2011
SOUNDBITES | Head Coach Ashley Winter
UP NEXT
Loras travels to Lincoln, Neb. for the 2017 season finale. Before both sides meet on Saturday, the Prairie Wolves travel to Pella for a doubleheader on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
