DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque softball team captured a sweep of the conference leading Coe College Kohawks by a 9-2 score in game one and a 1-0 victory in game two. Coach Jeff Lamb did what no other softball coach has been able to do in school history, a sweep. The Spartans were 3-58 in previous match-ups. Thursday afternoon nearly doubled the wins over the Kohawks and moved UD into the American Rivers Conference lead with a 9-5 mark.

UD's previous wins over Coe happened in 1985 coach Ted Rebholz  (5-2), 1998 coach Jeff Brooks (1-0),  and 2009 coach Corey Parr (2-0).

UD grabbed nine runs with 10 hits and had two errors in the opener as Coe scored two runs in four hits while committing three errors. The two teams played scoreless for three innings before the Spartans ended the fourth in a big way. Dariann Diorio opened with a single up the middle. A pop up to the pitcher would be the first out. An error by the Kohawks opened up the Spartans scoring. A bunt loaded the bases. Designated hitter Rachel Trader doubled to right center and scored three runs. UD flew out with two runners on base. A walk loaded the bases, and a hit batter scored another run. Diorio would once again bat in the inning and doubled to right-center and brought in three runners. Kayla Breunig on the mound for the Spartans helped her cause with a single to centerfield to score Diorio. A ground out ended the scoring with eight runs off six hits. UD led 8-0 going to the top of the fifth.

The Kohawks stopped an early exit by scoring two runs in the fifth to slice the Spartans lead 8-2. UD scored a run in the bottom of five and would leave a runner on base, leading 9-2. The two teams played the final innings scoreless. Coe stranded seven runners on base in the loss and UD left eight on base.

Emily Bloomer went 2-2 at the plate with an RBI, Kayla Breunig was 2-3 with an RBI, and Dariann Diorio was 2-4 with three RBI's. Trader joined her with three RBI's. Breunig (8-4) earned the win after a complete seven inning contest. She faced 30 batters and allowed just two earned runs while striking out one.

In the second game, the two teams would batter for any offense. Coe was held scoreless through five innings before UD grabbed a run after a double to left field by Alyanna Martinez which scored Callie Dutton. UD shut down the Kohawks in the final two innings for the win. Megan Wolff tossed seven innings and earned the win after facing 27 batters with three strike outs. Wolff improved to 11-1 on the season.

UD will host the Loras College Duhawks on Saturday, April 23 at 1 p.m. The Spartans will be honoring the seniors along with promoting the NFCA StrikeOut Cancer game.