Pride celebrate seniors and earn doubleheader split against Culver-Stockton to wrap 2023 season
DUBUQUE, Iowa – Wrapping up their 2023 season, the Clarke University softball team were able to finish their season on a high, bouncing back from a 7-5 loss in game one and defeating Culver-Stockton 11-7 in game two.
The Pride's offense got going early as they were able to score 10 runs over the first three innings of play, highlighted by Kaylie Holtam's two hits and three RBIs.
The Wildcats would get four runs back in their half of the third inning after three hits and three walks given up by Pride starter Calli Beck, which ended her day after 2.1 innings. Payge Pyszka entered the game in a crucial spot as the bases were loaded with one out trying to hold a 7-3 lead.
Pyszka allowed a base runner that brought a run in to score after a fielding error by the third baseman but would get out of the inning mostly unharmed by striking out the next batter and forcing a popout for the third out.
An 11-4 lead would be enough for Pyszka the rest of the way, although getting into some trouble in the sixth inning, she finished her day by securing her third victory of the season, only giving up three runs and striking out five.
Holtham had a solid game two going 3-3 with two runs and four RBIs as she finished her freshman season hitting .373 and driving in a team-high 31 runs.
Centerfielder, Lily King had an impressive day going 6-9 with three runs scored and one RBI. King finishes her season hitting a whopping .386 from the leadoff spot and scoring 41 runs with 18 stolen bases.
Emma Hodnet and Jada Nanni each finished game two going 2-4, as Hodnet drove in a pair of runs and Nanni scored twice.
Making her first start since April 12th, Malarie Huseman compiled her 11th complete game of the season, giving up seven runs of which five were earned, and struck out two Wildcat batters in game one.
Huseman's batterymate, Abby Archer went 1-4 but the one hit was a big one, scoring two runners in the seventh inning to make the score 7-5 and to give the Pride a shot. The next two batters, Mya Durr and Kennedi LeDuff would walk to load the bases with two outs.
Getting the chance to be the hero was the starter Huseman, who had earlier gotten two hits and scored a run. The winning run would be stranded at first however after Huseman struck out after an impressive battle with Wildcats starter Emma Roseberry.
Roseberry went the distance in game one, allowing 10 hits, five earned runs, and striking out five Pride batters for her 12th win on the campaign.
From the ninth spot in the order, Selina Guzman was the Wildcat offensive leader in game one, going 3-4 and driving in three runs.
Pride softball will look to build upon their 13-32 record and a 6-20 conference record as they are slotted to have back a good amount of their roster in 2024, which includes their leading run producer.