Softball sweeps Coe, remains in hunt for Iowa Conference title

Luther posted two key wins over Coe College April 24 in Cedar Rapids to stay in the hnnt for the Iowa Conference regular season title.

The Norse, ranked number 4 in the nation, defeated the Kohawks 5-0 in eight innings and then posted a 13-1 victory in five innings in the nightcap, sweeping the Kohawks for the first time since 1996.

In game one, the Norse scored five runs on five hits in the top of the eighth, breaking open what had been a pitching duel until that frame. The Norse did all of their damage with two outs. Lauran Snyder (‘12) drove in what proved to be the winning run with a double down the left field line. Abby Christian (‘12) followed with a two-run home run and Erin Crist (‘12) provided a two-run single to left-center field.

Kim Lambert (‘10) (13-2) went the distance in the circle. Lambert tossed a three-hit shutout, walked four and struck out 15.

In the nightcap, Luther exploded for 13 runs on 11 hits, scoring four times in both the third and fifth innings and five times in the fourth.

Tiffany Kruse (‘10) (2-for-3) and Kelsey Kittleson (‘12) (3-for-4) both drove in four runs. Kittleson hit a two-run home run in the third, ,and Kruse hit a three-run home run in the fourth.

Kelsey Hake (‘10) (2-for-3) also drove in a couple of runs and scored a team-high three times.

Lexy Determan (‘11) (14-3) was credited with the win. Determan allowed one run on three hits, walked two and struck out five. Ashlie Patten (‘12) pitched the final inning and struck out one.

The two wins give Luther an Iowa Conference record of 9-2, 28-5 overall. Coe falls to 6-6 in league play, 20-13 overall.