Dubuque, Iowa - The warmest day of the 2022 softball season welcomed Senior Day and the NFCA StrikeOut Cancer softball game at the University of Dubuque's, final regular season American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) contest. The Spartans were held to one hit in the first game and the Loras College Duhawks took the game 6-0. UD would put three runs on the board in the first and second innings to grab a 6-1 lead through four innings. The two teams each added a run in the fifth and Loras cut the lead in the sixth after scoring twice, trailing 4-7. UD held them scoreless in the seventh to capture their 22nd win on the season and their 10th win in A-R-C play to maintain the conference lead.
UD recognized 11 seniors who have collectively pushed the Spartans to being league contenders and leaders in the classroom. The Spartans picked sixth in the coaches pre-season poll, currently lead the league with a 10-6 record.
The two teams joined forces for the annual NFAC StrikeOut Cancer game on Saturday, April 23. Sedgwick made a generous donation to the Red Shamrock Foundation, a non-profit charity organized to raise awareness for the unique health care needs of pediatric cancer survivors. Since their founding in December 1969, Sedgwick has been a purpose-and values-driven company. Their continual growth and evolution has been rooted in a consistent approach to the important work their colleagues perform each day. Sedgwick shared purpose has always been - and continues to be - to take care of people. Fans in attendance tossed money in a fundraising bucket which will also contribute proceeds to the Red Shamrock Foundation. Throwing the first pitch was Gene Horn. Horn was diagnosed with stage four cancer unknown primary, and May will mark two years of Horn's cancer being in remission.
Rachel Trader led the Spartans offense by finishing the afternoon with four hits in six at bats.
Emily Bloomer and
Callie Dutton compiled two RBI's each in game two. The Spartans scored seven runs in 11 hits and committed two errors.
Megan Wolff collected her 13th win of the season by throwing a complete game and striking out three.
UD will host Augustana College Vikings in a doubleheader on April, 28 beginning at 3 p.m.
The 2022 American Rivers Conference Softball Tournament will be held Friday-Saturday, May 6-7 at the tournament's top seed. The single-elimination tournament will include the conference's top six teams. The No.1 seed and No. 2 seed will receive the first round byes. First-round games will feature the No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed at 2:00 p.m. with the winner drawing the No.1 seed in the semifinals. The late first-round game features the No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed at 4:30 p.m., with the winner moving on to face the No. 2 seed.
The winner of the tournament will receive the American Rivers Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship. The NCAA selection will announce AQ and at-large qualifiers, along with regional sites selected for the Championship on Monday, May 9. The regional round takes place Friday-Sunday, May 13-15 (Regionals that include a team with a no-Sunday play policy will be conducted Thursday-Saturday). Winners of the regionals will advance to the super regionals Friday and Saturday, May 20-21. This year's NCAA Division III Championship will take place Thursday-Tuesday, May 26-31 at Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Va.
