Softball finishes season ranked fifth in the nation

The Luther College softball team wrapped up the regular season schedule with a sweep of Loras College (Iowa) May 1 in Decorah. The Norse defeated the Duhawks 3-2 and 5-2.

Luther scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to secure the come-from-behind victory. Kelsey Hake (‘10) started the inning with a first-pitch solo home run to left-center field that was hit into the teeth of the wind. The Norse then loaded the bases before Lexy Determan (‘11) was hit by a pitch that scored pinch runner Paige Comentino (‘12) in what proved to be the game winner.

Determan (17-2) went the distance in the circle, allowing two runs on two hits, walking three and striking out 11.

The Norse exploded for four runs on two hits in the bottom of the first inning en route to the game-two victory. Tiffany Kruse (‘10) (2-for-3) drove in two runs in this frame while Shari Huber (‘13) (2-for-3) drove in one.

Kim Lambert (‘10) (16-3) allowed two runs on three hits, walked three and struck out five.

The two wins gave Luther an Iowa Conference record of 13-2, 34-5 overall. Unfortunately, the Norse finished in second place in the league standings by .009 percentage points. Luther will be the #2 seed of the six-team IIAC Tournament.