CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The University of Dubuque softball team and reigning A-R-C Co-Champions opened their 2023 American Rivers Conference play against #23-ranked Coe College Kohawks on Thursday. UD gave up two deep balls, first a two run homerun and a second grandslam in a 4-9 loss. In a hotly contested second game, UD trailed 1-2, but put runners on at the top of the seventh and would leave a runner at third and first bases to end the game with a strike out looking.

In game one, UD scored four runs off eight hits, but committed four errors. The host Kohawks were sparked by their catcher who ended the afternoon with two hits, but two large hits. One of the hits was a two run homerun in the first inning and her second was a grandslam in the second to end the day with six RBI's. Coe finished with nine runs off 10 hits and committed two errors.

Madyson Dwight was 2-3 at the plate with a double and scored twice. Deanna Salerno also had one double while teammates Kaitlyn Powell and Dariann Diorio both collected am RBI in the loss. Ally Gullette took the loss after throwing 5.1 innings and allowing eight earned runs with four strike outs. Jaelyn Blakemore came in for relief and tossed .2 innings and allowed just one hit.

In the nightcap, the Spartans trailed early 0-2 after the fourth inning, but sliced into the lead with a run in the top of the fifth off a Chloe Hild homerun to centerfield. Both teams played errorless and both finished with five hits.Deanna Salerno was 2-3 in game two. UD left six runners on base and the Kohawks left five. Jaelyn Blakemore took the complete six inning loss after allowing five hits and two earned runs with a strike out.

The Spartans continue their conference schedule with their home opener on Saturday, April 8 against the Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairiewolves at 1:00 p.m. for the doubleheader.