DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque softball team opener the American Rivers Conference season by hosting the Coe College Kohawks in Dubuque on Saturday. The Spartans dropped the doubleheader 10-1 in five innings in the first contest and lost the second by a 5-11 final.

The Spartans were held to one run off five hits in the opener. Bella Allison went 2-3 to lead UD's offense. Kaitlyn Powell grabbed the lone RBI as the Spartans left five runners on base. Kayleen Sebo took the loss after allowing five earned runs.

In game two, the Kohawks jumped out to an early 6-0 lead before the Spartans cut the lead in half in the bottom of the second inning. UD added another run in the third and a run in the seventh. The Spartans out hit the Kohawks by scoring five runs off 14 hits while Coe scored 11 runs off 11 hits. The two teams each committed two errors.

Five Spartans collected two hits each in the loss: Kaitlyn Powell (2-4), Bella Allison (2-4, 1 RBI), Katie Hayes (2-4, scored one run), Grace Stevenson (2-4, 1RBI, one run scored), and Tricia Sporaa (2-3, 1RBI, one run scored). UD left eight runners on base in the loss.

Ally Gullette pitched a complete seven inning game and struck out three batters.

The Spartans travel to Waverly, Iowa to face the Wartburg College Knights on Wednesday, April 3 in a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m.