PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The Loras College softball team split its doubleheader against the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in a couple of low scoring games on Thursday.
Game One: Loras 2, University of Wisconsin-Platteville 1 (F/8)
The first game of the doubleheader featured a classic pitcher's duel. With just 11 combined hits, both pitching staffs refused to give in as
Ashlyn Hemm battled UWP's Taylor Roughen.
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville had the first scoring opportunity of the game in the bottom of the third inning. The Pioneers were able to get runners on second and third with two outs, but, a timely strikeout by Hemm got the Duhawks out of the inning. Loras (13-6 overall) got their first scoring opportunity a half inning later in the top of the fourth.
Clare Murphy led the inning off with a triple before a great defensive play was made by Roughen, who threw Murphy out at home on a SAC bunt attempt. UW-Platteville (12-3 overall) got the winning run on second base in the bottom of the seventh with nobody out. But it was Hemm who came up big again, striking out the next three Pioneer batters to send the game into extra innings.
Zoë Espiridon was placed on second base to begin the extra inning before advancing to third on a SAC bunt by
Morgan Machovec. After a
Payton Meier walk, it was
Ava Franklin who delivered the game's first run with an RBI fielder's choice that scored Espiridon. The Purple and Gold would add to their lead thanks to an RBI single from Murphy that platted Franklin. Platteville got a run back in the bottom half of the frame but was unable to complete the comeback attempt.
Hemm continued to dominate in the circle for Loras. The junior from Port Byron, Ill. threw another complete game, allowing four hits and one run, while striking out a season-high 15 batters for her fifth win of the season.
Game Two: Loras 1, University of Wisconsin-Platteville 2
Much like game one, runs were hard to come by as both teams would combine for only seven hits, five of which came off the bats of the Duhawks.
Loras (13-7 overall) used a two out rally to give themselves a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning.
Alyssa Hughes delivered an RBI single that scored Franklin, who reached base after lining a triple to left centerfield. The Duhawks had many scoring opportunities but were unable to come up with a timely hit and ended up leaving eight runners on base for the game. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville (13-3) got a run in the fourth inning and the go ahead run in the sixth inning to split the doubleheader.
Shandi Rulli threw six innings allowing two runs on two hits, while striking out six.
Up Next: Loras will begin American Rivers Conference play as they travel to take on Luther College on April 3. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.
