MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Loras (2-0) handed Minnesota Morris (0-2) a pair of loses on Friday afternoon. The Cougars bats could not keep up in game one, falling 11-2. In the second game the Duhawks scored five runs in the final three innings to win 6-3.
Gina Downie scored twice in the pair of games.
Morris went up early in the first game as
Meghan Pomeroy drove in Downie with a fielder's choice. Downie reached with a double down the line in left. The lead did not last long as Loras tied the game with a run in the top of the second. The Duhawks took a lead in the third, scoring a pair of runs on two hits. Loras had a chance to bust the game open but left the bases loaded.
Not much went right for either team until Loras came to the plate in the fifth. The Duhawks would explode for eight runs on nine hits and an error. Four of the eight runs were unearned. It could have been worse but again Loras left the bases loaded. Downie would drive in a run with a single in the bottom of the fifth but it was not enough and Loras won by nine.
It would be Loras, who would strike first in the second game. A single with nobody out gave Loras a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Morris didn't trail long, scoring a trio of runs in the top of the third. The rally started when
Alex Anderson reached on an error to lead off the inning. Downie then reached on a fielder's choice and Anderson scored via another error.
Autumn Mahoney gave UMM the lead with a triple to left center. She scored moments later as Pomeroy drove her in with a fielder's choice. The Cougars had runners on first and second with one out when Bret Hutlett singled up the middle. Unfortunately,
Magen Knickerbocker was thrown out trying to score. The next batter grounded out and UMM left two on but did lead 3-1.
Loras threatened in the bottom of the inning but didn't score, leaving a pair of runners stranded. The Duhawks did get a run back in the fourth but Morris led 3-2 as the game headed to the bottom of the fifth. In the inning Loras strung together back-to-back singles with two outs to put them on top 4-3. Two more runs crossed in the bottom of the sixth and Morris could not counter, falling 6-3.
Downie finished the doubleheader with three hits and two runs scored.
Clare Hamer and Mahoney each had two hits. Pomeroy drove in a pair of runs on Friday.
Minnesota Morris will be back at it tomorrow as they will battle Augsburg at 12:30 p.m. for another non-conference doubleheader.
