DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College softball team will open its 2025 season with four games at the Blue Angel Invite in Peoria, Ill. on Feb. 20-21.
 
On Thursday, the Duhawks will take on Wisconsin Lutheran College at 4 p.m., followed by Edgewood College at 8 p.m. Loras will then turn around and face off against Mount Mary University (8 a.m.) and Knox College (10 a.m.) on Friday, Feb. 21.  
 
Last season, the Purple and Gold compiled a 20-16 record, with a 7-9 record in American Rivers Conference play. 
 
Loras enters the season ranked seventh in the A-R-C Preseason Coaches' Poll, receiving 20 votes. Central College topped the poll with 64 points, while Nebraska Wesleyan checked in at second with 50 votes. Luther College and Simpson College finished in a tie for third with 43 votes, with Coe College receiving 41 votes to round out the top five. 
 
Head Coach Ashley Winter is excited to have a veteran squad this year. 
 
"We graduated two seniors last year, so we are returning most of our position players," said Winter. "Our nine seniors have done a great job of creating a unified vision for the season. Our goal is to fight together to win each pitch." 
 
Katherine Svigelj returns to the Duhawk lineup after being selected as an All-Conference Honorable Mention last season. Svigelj batted .300 in her freshman year, while also pitching 26.1 innings. Rachel Peat also returns for Loras. The junior pitcher looks to lead a pitching staff that welcomes in two freshmen, Kiya Steger and Kaili Henning.
 
After the Blue Angle Invite, Loras will head to Oshkosh, Wis. for the UW-Oshkosh Invitational before heading to Kissimmee, Fla. to play in THE Spring Games. The Purple and Gold will open conference play on March 29 against the University of Dubuque.