Bates blasts a pair of home runs, propel Pride to a split

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Clarke University softball team split their third straight series, this time against Grand View University as they took game one 8-6 and fell in game two 7-5.

Finding themselves down four runs after three innings, Clarke would score in every inning for the remainder of the game leading up to a three-run seventh inning walk-off.

To start their comeback, Daija Bates smacked her first home run of the season in the fourth inning after an Elizabeth Leverton single to cut the Vikings lead in half to 4-2.

After a Grand View run made it 5-2, Lily King hit a two RBI double to score Kennedi Harris and Abby Archer. Archer would make it her second straight game with a home run after blasting a solo shot to left field tied the game at 5-5.

The Pride would go into their half of the seventh inning down a run and needing a spark. King provided that spark in the form of a one-out single to left center, followed up by stealing second base. Leverton would beat out a hit in the infield, leaving runners in the corners for Bates. Bates would hit her second homer of the game, giving the Pride the 8-6 walk-off victory.

Picking up her seventh win of the year, Malarie Huseman went all seven innings, giving up three runs, and striking out six batters.

Lani Gannon was on the mound in game two for the Vikings and she would have an impressive outing as she would go the full seven innings giving up only two earned runs and striking out eight Pride batters.

Clarke's offense would come in the third and the fourth innings when they would score two and three runs. King would score the first run for the Pride after she singled earlier in the third and would come around on an error off the bat of Kaylie Holtam. Two batters later, Mya Durr singled home Bates and the Pride would trail 4-2 going into the top of the fourth.

Both teams would score three runs in the fourth, as Bates would hit a sac-fly RBI to score Emma Hodnet who pinch-hit singled earlier in the inning. Next batter, Holtam brought home Leverton and King on a single to right center.

Both teams' offense would slow down as the Pride would only muster one hit the rest of the game on their way to the 7-5 loss in game two.

The Pride will hit the road for an April 12th doubleheader against Mount Mercy starting at 4 pm CST.