Norse Split in Opening Day of IIAC Tournament
May 1, 2008
Luther won one and lost one in the opening day of the double elimination Iowa Conference softball tournament this afternoon in Waverly.
In the opening game, Luther defeated Central College 6-4. The Norse scored their six runs on four hits and took the lead for good in this game thanks to two runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Ashley Hoffman gave the Norse a 2-1 lead in the first after belting a two-run home run to center field. Danielle Armbruster lead-off the second frame with a solo shot to right field. Kelsey Hake, Tami Magner and Kayla Denner were also credited with an rbi.
Kim Lambert picked up the win in relief. Lambert pitched the final 2 2/3 innings and struck out six of the nine batters she faced.
In the second game of the afternoon, Wartburg pitcher Angela Hartwig threw a four-hit shutout, as the nationally ranked #6 Knights defeated the Norse 5-0. Ashley Rodgers did the majority of the Knights offensive damage going 2-for-2 and driving in three runs. She hit a two-run homer in the first and a solo shot in the third. Jenni Hashman also hit a solo homer in the sixth.
The win and loss puts Luther into the bottom half of the tournament. One more loss and the Norse will be eliminated. They will face Cornell College, who was defeated by Coe 8-0 in six innings, at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. The winner of this game will face the winner between Central and Simpson. Simpson was defeated by Coe 2-1 in game four of the afternoon.
