Spartans Seeking Win in IIAC Action
Apr 16, 2016
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque softball team start of the Iowa Conference season has been challenging after facing #22 Simpson and #4 Luther. Saturday, the Spartans faced the Central College Dutch who have been ranked among the Top-25 earlier this season. The Dutch took advantage of some Spartan miscues in capturing wins by 5-2 and 9-2.
One bad inning allowed the Dutch to score all five runs in the third inning in game one and the Dutch would do the same in game two at the top of the seventh when they stretched out their 4-2 lead to 9-2. In the opener, The Spartans scored two runs off seven hits, but had two errors. The Dutch score five runs off eight hits and had an error. UD stranded seven runners on base and Central left six on base.
Leadoff Andrea Smith had two hits and teammate Tori Woltz would also have a pair of hits. Woltz and Kayleigh Leddy would each collect an RBI. Mackenzie Kyle took the loss on the mound after allowing five earned runs in 2.2 innings and facing 17 batters. Taylor Blair came in for relief and threw the final 4.1 innings and gave up three hits and no runs after facing 15 batters.
In game two, the Spartans jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the Dutch rallied and scored three runs in the third inning, a run in the fifth inning and five runs in the seventh.
Smith would lead UD with three hits in four at bats and teammate Brianna Gyrion would finish with two hits in four at bats including the Spartans lone triple. Nicole Blum and Gyrion would each earn an RBI in the loss.
Megain Schlueter suffered the loss after 2.1 innings and allowing three earned runs. Randee Jackson tossed four innings and allowed three earned runs after facing 23 batters. Kyle pitched the final .2 innings and allowed one hit. UD dropped to 0-6 in league play and will face the Duhawks next.
The Spartans travel across town to play the Loras College Duhawks in the StrikeOut Cancer Game on Tuesday, April 19 at 3:00 p.m. Several thousands of dollars have been raised among the two teams in recent years. Help the two teams raise money to fight cancer on Tuesday.
