LINCOLN, Neb. - The University of Dubuque softball team would split the Saturday series at Nebraska Wesleyan University, losing the opener 8-3 and taking the second by a 4-1 margin.
The Spartans scored three runs off eight hits and committed an error in game one, the host Prairie Wolves scored eight runs off eight hits and committed two errors. NWU jumped out quickly scoring two runs in the first and two runs in the second before UD sliced the lead in half with two runs at the top of the third. The Prairie Wolves scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend their lead 7-2 before the Spartans spotted a run in the fifth for a 7-3 score. NWU added a run in the fifth with the final two innings being scoreless for the two teams.
Leadoff
Kaitlyn Powell went 2-4 with two runs scored.
Lauren Jacobs was 2-2 with a pair of RBI's,
Zoe Connell ws 2-3 in the loss. US stranded four runners on base and would turn one double play in the game.
Ashlyn Short (6-4 overall) started on the mound and went two innings and faced 14 batters. She allowed four runs off four hits with three being earned.
Skylar Zoeteman came in for relief and tossed the final four innings and allowed four runs off four hits with three being earned.
The second game of the doubleheader fell in favor of the visiting Spartans after they scored four runs off a game high 11 hits with an error. NWU was held to a single run after seven hits and committed two errors in the loss. The contest was scoreless through four innings before UD added two runs at the top of the fifth. NWU responded with a run in the bottom of the fifth for a 2-1 Spartan lead. No runs in the sixth before UD added two more runs at the top of the seventh for a final 4-1 victory.
Lauren Jacobs kept the hot bat alive in game two by going 3-4 at the plate with a double and a game high three RBI's.
Kaitlyn Powell was 2-3 and scored twice.
Peyton Santore was 2-2 with an RBI after a double in the seventh inning.
Ciaran Rigby pitched a complete seven inning win, allowing no earned runs, striking out two after facing 29 batters for her fifth win of the season.
UD will travel to Storm Lake, Iowa on Sunday for a doubleheader at the Buena Vista University Beavers beginning at 1:00 p.m. The Spartans will host the Coe College Kohawks on Tuesday, April 21 at 2:00/4:00 p.m. on the UD Softball Field. UD will host the Wartburg College Knights (receiving votes in NFCA Top-25 poll) on Saturday, April 25 on the Spartans Senior Day at 1:00/3:00 p.m.
