Norse Split With Dutch - Magner Hits Walk-Off Home Run
April 26, 2008
The Luther Norse and Central Dutch split an Iowa Conference doubleheader to end the regular season this afternoon in Decorah.
In game one, Tami Magner hit a walk-off three-run home run over the left field fence to give the Norse a 7-4 victory.
With two outs in the first, Luther took a 1-0 lead when Danielle Armbruster was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score Magner. Another two out rally in the fourth inning added to the Norse advantage. Kim Lambert singled as a pinch-hitter to score Tiffany Kruse, giving Luther a 2-0 lead. Central scored two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to go up 4-2. Kruse was able to tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning with a two-run home run, her ninth of the season. The Norse retired Central in order in the seventh, setting up the game heroics by Magner.
BreAnn VanDeer picked up the win in relief, going 2 1/3 innings, giving up one hit, two runs and striking out two.
The Dutch got off to a quick start in game two, scoring one run in the first, five in the third and two in the fourth inning taking an 8-0 lead.
The Norse got on the scoreboard in the bottom of fourth thanks to a solo home run by Ashley Hoffman. After Central added another tally in the sixth, the fifth and final home run of the day between the two teams came in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Kruse smacked a two run shot over the left field wall for her second home run of the day.
Box scores
Luther closes out the regular season 27-10 overall and 10-6 in conference play. Central finishes 8-8 in the IIAC, 21-14 overall.
Luther will begin play Thursday, May 1 at the Iowa Conference post-season tournament, which will be held on the Wartburg College campus in Waverly. Wartburg won the regular season title securing their home field as the host site.
The 2008 Iowa Conference Tournament schedule for May 1-3 is below.
1. Wartburg (15-1)
2. Simpson (13-3)
3. Coe (11-5)
4. Luther (10-6)
5. Central (8-8)
6. Cornell (7-9)
Thursday, May 1
Game 1 10 a.m. #4 Luther vs. #5 Central
Game 2 12 p.m. #3 Coe vs. #6 Cornell
Game 3 2 p.m. #1 Wartburg vs. Winner Game 1
Game 4 4 p.m. #2 Simpson vs. Winner Game 2
Friday, May 2
Game 5 10 a.m. Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 3
Game 6 12 p.m. Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 4
Game 7 2 p.m. Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Game 8 4 p.m. Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6
Saturday, May 3
Game 9 10 a.m. Loser Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8
Game 10 12 p.m. Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 9
Game 11 2 p.m. Winner Game 10 vs. Loser Game 10 (if necessary)
