Softball Splits with #9-ranked Luther Norse
Apr 20, 2018
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque softball has a tough stretch of Iowa Conference games after battling an awful spring weather. Friday kicked off a stretch of 12 games in eight days for the Spartans and none tougher than #9-ranked Luther College Norse who entered with just two losses on the season (25-2 overall). Luther won the opener by an 8-0 score in six innings, the Spartans rallied back to capture the second 2-1 and hand the Norse just their third loss of the season.
Luther held the Spartans to just two hits in game one, a single by Hallie Wang and Ellie Schneider connected on a double to right field. Mackenzie Kopp took the loss on the mound after allowing eight runs in 12 hits and striking out two.
In game two, the third Norse batter in the opening inning would crush a line shot, hitting starting pitcher Taylor Blair in the lower leg for a single. Blair dropped to the ground as time was called and the ATC and coach Wendi Wipperfurth made their way to the circle. After a few minutes Blair would fight back and stand up. She walked around for another minute and wiped off some tears and motioned she was ready to pitch again.
Blair's gritty performance finished with a complete seven innings strong showing for the Spartans. She allowied six hits and one earned run after facing 27 batters. She would strike out two and didn't walk a Norse batter in the victory for the Spartans.
Offensively the Spartans finished with six hits with Brandy Heraty going 2-3 at the plate and scoring both Spartans runs. Hailey Wang collected UD's lone RBI.
The Spartans continue at home on Saturday vs. Loras College Duhawks beginning at 12:00 p.m.
The StrikeOut Cancer initiative is a program through the National Fastpitch Coaches Association to help raise funds and awareness to fight cancer. The program leverages the personal experiences, community leadership, and professional excellence of fastpitch softball coaches nationwide to help increase cancer education and promote healthy living through awareness efforts and fundraising activities and nearly $400,000 was raised in 2017.
The UD vs. Loras softball series enters it’s seventh year of joining forces in conjunction with NFCA Association and American Cancer Society’s annual StrikeOut Cancer initiative and have combined to raise $14,156.26 to date.
UD assistant baseball coach Luke Kalb passed away after a brave battle with liver cancer on Feb. 10. His mother will throw out Saturday’s first pitch in softball game one. Campus group enactus will be selling t-shirts for $5 with all proceeds going to Luke’s family.
