STORM LAKE, Iowa - The #2 seeded University of Dubuque softball team earned a bye in the first day of the 2022 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) single elimination softball tournament. Saturday, they would face #6 seeded Nebraska Wesleyan University in the semifinals after the Prairiwolves upset #3 seeded Coe College in the quarterfinals. UD's weekend ended in a 4-7 loss to NWU.

The Spartans gave up a grand slam in the top of the second after loading up the bases with a pair pf walks and a single to trail 0-5. The Prairiewolves added a run in the fourth and another in the seventh. They scored seven runs off eight hits, UD scored four runs off nine hits and both squads played errorless.

UD's offense was highlighted by Alyanna Martinez who tripled in the fifth inning with a hard shot to right-center and scoring Callie Dutton. Next at bat, Rachel Trader would send Martinez home with a double to left field. UD would score two runs in three hits before ending the inning with a pick-off at second base. Cayla Cavanagh opened the seventh with a homerun to centerfield for the solo RBI. Callie Dutton doubled down the right field line. Alyanna Martinez scored Dutton after a double to right-center. A ground out and a fly out would end the tournament for the Spartans.

The 2022 Co-A-R-C champion Spartans, finished the regular season with a 24-9 overall record. The 2022 DIII softball selection show will air at 1 p.m. ET on Monday, May 9 live on NCAA.com. The complete bracket will be posted here shortly after the selection show is over. 

When: Monday, May 9 at 1 p.m. ET

Where: NCAA.com

The 2022 DIII softball championship will be played from May 26-31 at the Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Virginia.