Pride mount six-run comeback to earn doubleheader split at Iowa Wesleyan

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - In the middle of a stretch of four-straight days of doubleheaders due to schedule shifting, the Clarke University softball team earned a split in a non-conference doubleheader against Iowa Wesleyan University on Thursday afternoon.

The Pride pulled out a win in the opening game thanks to a six-run top of the seventh inning as they trailed 6-1 heading into their final at bats before Leah Gray led off the inning with a solo home run then the rest of the rally would take place after an out was made.

Elizabeth Leverton and Daija Bates reached base ahead of Kaylie Holtam, who also blasted a home run to make it a 6-5 Tigers lead before the IWU defense would let them down, allowing the tying run to score on the second error after the Holtam home run before Kynadee Harris gave CU their first lead since 1-0 in the top of the first inning with a sacrifice fly.

That rally would allow freshman Paige Pyszka to earn her first collegiate win in the circle as she went six innings and allowed those six runs over two three-run innings while striking out five batters before giving way to Calli Beck to pick up the save with a shut down seventh inning, striking out the side in order.

Holtam had three hits and multiple RBIs in each game finishing 3-for-4 in both with the three RBIs from the home run in the win and a pair of RBIs in their 9-4 loss in the finale. Leverton, Gray, Lily King, Kennedi LeDuff, and Jada Nanni all had a multi-hit game on Thursday to provide the offense for the Pride.

Clarke, with their busy schedule starting yesterday through Saturday, chose to start Pyszka and Sydney Haas in the cirlce on Thursday and mostly rest Beck and No. 1 starter Malarie Huseman as Haas went a complete game in the finale with only two of the nine runs allowed being earned.

CU's Heart doubleheaders against Park University and Peru State College have been moved up a day each with the Pirates coming to Veterans Memorial Park on Friday for an evening doubleheader starting at 5:00 p.m. CT before the Bobcats and Pride face off on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 12:00 p.m. CT.