DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque Spartans softball team celebrated senior day on the final games of the year as they took on the Simpson Storm. Six seniors were honored today including Madyson Dwight, Cayla Cavanagh, Megan Croke, Bella Como, Dariann Diorio, and Deanna Salerno. The Spartans won the first game 4-3 in dramatic fashion with a walk-off but was unable to complete the comeback dropping the second game 7-4.

Neither team was able to put a run in the score column until the bottom of the fourth inning. With runners on first and second, Diorio lined a base hit up the middle to drive in the game's first run. Starting pitcher for the Spartans, Ally Gullette kept the Storm scoreless through five innings before the Storm broke through. In the sixth, the Storm platted three runs on five hits to take a 3-1 lead. Entering the bottom of the seventh the Spartans found themselves trailing 3-1, down to their final three outs. Leading off, senior, Bella Como reached first on a single to center field and advanced to second on another single from Megan Leick. Then Bella Allison loaded the bases with a single into right field to put the winning run on first base with no outs. Following a strikeout, Katilyn Powell stepped up to the plate. On the first pitch, Powell lined a walk-off bases clearing double into left field to secure the comeback victory 4-3!

The Spartans collected 10 hits in which seven different players recorded a hit. Diorio went a perfect 3-3 at the plate with an RBI and Powell was 2-4 with 3 RBIs including the clutch walk-off double. On the mound, Gullette earned her sixth win of the year as she tossed a complete game. Through seven innings, Gullette allowed three runs and struck out one in the win. 

Entering the final game of the season, the Storm jumped out in front early to take a 4-0 lead in the second off three doubles and a single. The Spartans responded with a run of their own after Allison's bases loaded walk. After three scoreless frames, the Storm tacked on another insurance run in the sixth to take a 5-1 lead. In the bottom half, the Spartans strung together a two out rally. Como drove in a run off a double down the left field line to keep the inning alive. Leick then singled up the middle to allow Allison to drive in the second run of the inning on a single through the right side, cutting into the deficit 5-3. Next up Croke reached first on an error that scored another run, putting the tying run on third base. However, the Spartans stranded two runners to end the inning. In the top of the seventh, the Storm scored two more runs on a clutch two out double to extend the lead as the Spartans lost 7-4.

Three Spartans had multiple hits as Dwight, Leick, and Como each had two hits. Jaelyn Blakemore earned the loss as she tossed 2 1/3 innings surrendering four runs on eight hits. Gullette entered in relief and pitched 4 2/3 innings two earned runs on six hits.

The Spartans conclude this season with a 12-28 record overall and 5-11 in conference play.