DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque Spartans softball team battled cross-town rival the Duhawks of Loras College in the final two regular season games as the Spartans celebrated senior day. On a sunny Friday afternoon the Spartans and Duhawks also participated in Strikeout Cancer, an initiative that supports research and the fight against cancer. Both teams were evenly matched as the Spartans won game one 6-5 and then lost 1-2 in the finale.
Through the first four innings, the Duhawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead before the Spartans grabbed a run in bottom of the fourth. The Duhakws extended their lead scoring a run in each of the next two innings as the Spartans trailed 1-5 heading into the sixth. Offensively, the Spartans rallied behind a five run sixth inning to put the Spartans ahead of the Duhawks 6-5. The rally started with a two run double off the bat of
Audrey Morris as
Samantha Sok and
Jordyn Wogomon came around to score cutting the deficit to 3-5. A few batters latter,
Amber Wisely recorded an RBI ground out inching the Spartans within one. With two outs
Grace Stevenson delivered a key RBI single into left field tying the game at 5-5.
Bella Allison capped off the inning with an RBI single to center field as Spartans captured their first lead of the day securing the victory 6-5. At the plate, Morris accounted for three of the Spartans six hits as she reached base safely in all three plate appearances.
Senior,
Kayleen Sebo got the start and worked through five innings striking out two batters and allowed three earned runs.
Jaelyn Blakemore entered in relief and tossed a near perfect two innings as she only allowed a hit to earn her fourth win of the season.
In game two, the Duhawks scored first with a run in the third inning. Quickly the Spartans responded in the bottom half with a run on two hits. Morris continued her stellar day at the plate with an RBI single scoring
Chloe Hild who doubled earlier in her at bat. The tie ball game didn't last long as Loras platted a run in the fourth as the Spartans trailed 1-2. Still a one score game in the bottom of the sixth, the Spartans were threatening with runners on first and second with two outs.
Tricia Sporaa lined a single into right field as Morris rounded third and headed home but was thrown out on a close play at the plate to end the inning as the Spartans would eventually fall 1-2. The Spartans outhit the Duhawks six to five as Morris had another multi-hit game.
Ally Gullette pitched all seven innings only allowing two runs on five hits and striking out three in the loss.
The Spartans finished the 2024 softball season 10-25 overall and 3-13 in American Rivers Conference play. All-Conference awards will be announced early next week.
