WAVERLY, Iowa – For the first time since the 2017 season, the Loras College softball team has advanced to the semifinal round of the American Rivers Conference Tournament with a 5-0 win over the five seeded Central College Dutch.
After a one, two, three top of the first,
Kiya Steger blasted her 10
th home run of the season, a two-run shot to right center to give Loras an early lead.
In the second inning, the Duhawks used back-to-back two-out hits to grab another run.
Ellie Baker lined a triple to right center before
Katherine Svigelj's RBI base hit, which also marked her 100
th career hit. The Purple and Gold kept the two-out rally alive with a
Ava Franklin base-hit, followed by
Kaili Henning reached on a Dutch error and Steger reached on a fielder's choice. Then it was
Dana Skorich who opened the flood gates with a two RBI base-hit up the middle to give Loras a 5-0 lead.
In the sixth inning, Central was able to load the bases with two-outs, but big time pitchers from Henning got the Duhawks out of the inning, and into the second round.
Henning threw another gem for Loras. She threw all seven innings, allowing only three hits while fanning five for her 12
th win of the season.
Up Next: Loras will be back in action tomorrow, May 9, to take on the one-seeded Wartburg College Knights. First pitch from Lynes Field is scheduled for 11 a.m. with the conference championship game scheduled for the same day at 4 p.m.