LA CROSSE, Wis. - The University of Dubuque softball team was supposed to play University of Wisconsin La-Crosse Eagles on Saturday, but due to the weather in the Midwest, the game was pushed back until Sunday. The Spartans were unable to overcome the Eagles as they lost both games 5-2 and 8-3.

At the end of the first, the Spartans fell behind 1-0 due to an error. In the second, Cayla Cavanagh quickly tied the game back up at 1-1 as she hit her second homerun of the season. The Eagles answered back as they scored three runs in the bottom of the second, extending their lead to 4-1. After a scoreless third by both teams, the Eagles added on another run in the fourth. The Spartans were able to get two of their five hits in the sixth which resulted in a run. Megan Croke led off with a single, and Bella Allison got on base with a bunt single. Dariann Diorio drove in Croke with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 5-2. Both teams were held at bay in their final at bats as the Eagles took game one.

Jaelyn Blakemore got the start for the Spartans on the mound. Blakemore pitched four innings in which she gave up 10 hits, four earned runs, and recorded two strikeouts in the loss. Freshman, Ciaran Rigby captured her first outing of the season as she entered in relief. Through two innings, Rigby only allowed one hit, no runs, and fanned two batters. 

In game two, the Eagles jumped out in front 2-0 after the first. The Spartans were able to even the game at 2-2 in the fourth without recording any hits. Diorio struck out swinging but reached first base on a dropped third strike. After back-to-back walks from Cavanagh and Deanna Salerno, the bases were loaded for the Spartans. Megan Leick drove in the Spartans first run of the game as she hit a ball to the shortstop in which the ball was thrown to third base for the force out, but the ball was dropped as everyone was safe. The Spartans scored another run as a result from a wild pitch, but could not produce any more runs in the fourth. The Spartans found themselves down by one entering the fifth. Bella Allison recorded the lone hit for the Spartans as she doubled into center field and would later score off two passed balls to tie the game at 3-3. Once again the Eagles responded as they strung together six consecutive hits, all with two outs to plate five more runs as the Spartans could not overcome the deficit falling 8-3.

Ally Gullette earned the loss as she tossed five innings, giving up 14 hits, five earned runs, and striking out two. Rigby saw some more action as she pitched a scoreless sixth. 

The Spartans are now 6-14 overall.

Up Next
The Spartans will start conference play on Tuesday, April 4 as they travel to Coe College for a doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.