CHICAGO, Ill. – Looking to avenge a loss suffered to North Park just 12 days ago, the Loras College Softball team split their weekend doubleheader with the Vikings. NPU won a high scoring game one, while Loras came away way on top in game two. 
 
Game One: Loras 10, North Park University 11
 
There was no shortage of offense in game one between these two squads. Both teams tallied 10 hits, while Loras (10-7) put up big numbers in three innings, and the Vikings (8-5) used a seventh inning rally to come away with a game one win.
 
The Duhawks opened the game up with a three spot in the first inning. The first run came at the hands of a North Park throwing error. Kiya Steger gave Loras a 2-0 lead after an RBI fielder choice, before Kaili Henning ended the inning with a RBI single that plated Karlee Berge. North Park would respond with a three-run inning of their, thanks to a two RBI double from Sydney Snyder.
 
After both teams added to their total in the third and fourth inning, the Vikings held a 6-5 lead heading into the sixth inning. In that sixth inning, the Loras bats came alive in a big way. The Duhawks loaded the bases right away with a lead off walk from Keeley Pilcher, an Emily Monahan base hit, and then a Whitney Leipold walk. After a wild pitch allowed Pilcher to score, Eden Baker walked in the second run of the inning. Rachel Peat delivered a base hit of her own that allowed Leipold to score. Henning then delivered the final runs of the inning with a two RBI base hit that brought Franklin and Katherine Svigelj across the plate. 
 
North Park, however, would not go away quietly. After an early strikeout, the Vikings strung together three straight base hits to load the bases. Then next at bat, Loras would walk in a run before allowing another base hit. With the game tied at 10, Kayla Lorenz walked off game one with a fielder's choice.
 
Game Two: Loras 6, North Park University 3
 
In game two, the Loras bats continued to stay hot, racking up 11 hits, while solid pitching performances from Shandi Rulli and Svigelj held the Viking offense to just five hits. 
 
Dana Skorich put the Purple and Gold on the board first with a RBI, scoring Svigelj. The Duhawks (11-7) would add three more runs in the third thanks to RBIs from Pilcher, Clare Murphy, and Monahan. North Park (8-6) got a run in the third and two runs in the fourth to cut the Loras lead to one (4-3).
 
In the sixth inning, the Duhawks added two insurance runs, allowing Svigelj enough run support to come in and complete the save opportunity. Rulli got the win for Loras, throwing four innings, allowing four hits, while striking out two. 

Up Next: Loras will return to the field on Tuesday, March 25, as they take on the University of Dubuque in their conference opener. Game one is scheduled for 2 PM, with game two starting at 4PM.