DUBUQUE, Iowa - In an annual tradition with the University of Dubuque vs. Loras College softball series, the two squads joined to host the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Strikeout Cancer on Tuesday afternoon. The second year in a row the teams have split the series. UD lost the opener 3-2, and rallied to finish with 22 hits in a 18-9 romp in game two.

Thousands of schools raise money or awareness to battle cancer by hosting a single event or by coordinating a season-long campaign across the country. NFCA members delivered in the fight against cancer, raising over $333,000 in support of the Association and its StrikeOut Cancer initiative in 2023-24 and over $350,000 in 2022-23.

UD trailed 1-0 after the first inning of game one. Loras added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, before the Spartans added a pair of runs on the board in the top of the sixth to slice the lead 3-2. UD was held scoreless in the seventh and ended the contest leaving nine runners on base. The Spartans scored two runs in seven hits, but committed two errors. The Duhawks scored three runs off five hits and commited one error.

Katie Hayes went 2-3 at the plate and was the lone Spartan with multiple hits in the loss. Megan Leick and Madison Taeger each grabbed a double in their time at the plate. Ally Gullette took the loss after six complete innings and allowed three earned runs with two strikeouts and a pair of walks after facing 26 batters. 

In game two, the Spartans offense woke up and finished the 18-9 victory with 22 hits and would score in five out the seven innings. Katie Hayes opened her first at bat with a two run RBI homerun. She would continue with her second homerun of the afternoon in the fifth inning for another two RBI's. She ended the game going 3-4 at the plate with six RBI's. Grace Stevenson trailed not far behind, she was 4-6 at the plate with five RBI's with a double and a homerun. Kaitlyn Powell grabbed three RBI's after 3-6 in the box and scoring three runs.

Ciaran Rigby started and pitched 1.1 innings and allowed five hits and five earned runs with three strikeouts. Haleigh Banowetz came in for relief and pitched 1.2 innings and allowed three hits and two earned runs. Ally Gullette tossed the final four innings and kept the Duhawks scoreless and allowed just three hits.

The Spartans (12-6 overall, 1-1 in A-R-C) continue a busy week when they host Simpson College (15-1 overall, 0-0 in A-R-C) on Wednesday, March 26 at the UD Softball Field with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m. for the doubleheader. The Storms lone loss was to #21 ranked UW-Whitewater by a 5-4 margin and bring a 10 game win streak to Dubuque.