DUBUQUE, Iowa- The Duhawks found their bats at just the right time, and edged out a win over their crosstown rivals, 7-6.

Despite an exceptional display of grit for the Purple and Gold at the dish, who managed to work six free passes through the first six innings, they only had two hits to their name and trailed the University of Dubuque (10-17, 5-8 A-R-C) by the same total as the seventh inning approached.

In the seventh, Loras (13-13, 7-6 A-R-C) finally came to life offensively.

The basepaths got busy thanks to the combo of Liam Sullivan and Vince McDowell finding their way on, which was followed by an Alex Sandoval walk to load the bases up.

A popout then meant it was bases juiced with two outs, and Jackson Cullen at the plate for the Purple and Gold. On a two-strike count, Cullen lined a baseball into left field, scoring both Sullivan and McDowell.

Then Vince Polizzi gave the Duhawks the lead with an RBI single, and Colin Kissane followed suit, giving Loras a 4-2 advantage that they'd never relinquish.

The Purple and Gold added three more runs in the top of the ninth, with back-to-back RBI singles from Ben Shea and Cody Sunny pushing the lead to five for the visitors.

A late rush from the Spartans was soon extinguished by Carson Hammer, and Loras rode the coattails of Adam Williamson, Aiden O'Hara, and Dylan Ackermann to secure their tenth win in 11 tries against the University of Dubuque. 

On Deck: It's alumni weekend at Petrakis Park, and the Duhawks play host to the Simpson College Storm. First pitch of the weekend is set for 6:00 p.m. Friday, April 17.