DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque softball team would capture the sweep on Monday, but it wasn't easy for coach
Jeff Lamb. The #17-ranked Spartans fought through nine innings in the opening game against Saint Catherine University to edge out a 3-2 victory. In game two, the fans were treated to another tight game with the Spartans capturing it 2-1.
In the opener, both teams were held scoreless through four innings before the Spartans were the first to add a run.
Alyanna Martinez led off the bottom of the fifth with a single to left field, a miss played ball allowed her to scamper past three bases to score. UD ended the inning with a runner at third base. St. Catherine would rally at the top of the seventh to tie the game after an error by the Spartans allowed the lead-off to reach first base. They would score off a sac fly to right field and left two on base.
In the bottom of the seventh, UD opened with a double by Cayla Cavanaugh, but the Spartans would fly out and pop up to end the inning. Both teams would score a run in the eighth to still stay knotted at 2-2. In the top of the ninth, St. Catherine would advance a runner to third with one out. A fielder's choice and the runner was thrown out by
Deanna Origer at home for the second out. A pop up to
Kylee Biedermann would end the inning without a score.
Alyanna Martinez singled off a bunt and advanced
Callie Dutton to third base. Biedermann singled to left field and sent Dutton home for the winning run 3-2.
Nicolette Evans tossed the complete nine inning game and did not allow an earned run.
In the nightcap, UD added a run in the second inning to take the lead 1-0. The Spartans extended their lead to 2-0 after a run in the fourth inning. St. Catherine would fight back to score a run in the sixth. They would hold everyone in suspense when they put two runners on in the top of the seventh with two outs. A ground out to shortstop would end the game in favor of the Spartans 2-1.
Lexi Schmidt captured the win and
Kayla Breunig in relief would earn the save.
The Spartans (10-3 overall) continue their home season on Tuesday, March 30 when they host a re-scheduled game vs. the Luther College Norse at 3 p.m. Varsity will play first and then junior varsity will play game two.