Luther Remains Undefeated - Pitching Staff Allows Just One Run As Norse Sweep Auggies
March 7, 2009
Entering the 2009 campaign Head Coach Renae Hartl felt her pitching staff was going to be the key to a successful season. This afternoon, the pitching staff allowed just one run on eight hits over the course of 12 innings, as Luther swept host Augsburg College 5-0 and 11-1 this afternoon.
In game one, all-conference hurler BreAnn VanDeer secured her second consecutive shutout pitching seven scoreless innings. VanDeer faced 26 batters, allowed five hits, struck out seven and retired the final eight batters of the ball game.
Designated hitter Abby Christian continued to swing a hot bat, hitting a two-run ground rule double to left field in the top half of the second inning.
The Norse added to their two-run lead with three runs in the top of the seventh, thanks to hits from Kayla Denner and Tiffany Kruse, plus two errors by Augsburg.
In game two, Kim Lambert recorded her second win of the season, allowing one run in four innings or work. Lambert faced 17 batters, walked three and struck out five. Kelsey Hake also got her first work of the year in the circle, striking out two of the three batters she faced in the one inning she pitched.
Luther exploded for four runs in the first and three in the second en route to the five-inning victory. Kruse had a big game, going 4-for-4 and scoring three times. Lambert, Jackie Miller and Megan Reutlinger all drove in two runs.
Luther will be off until its annual spring trip to Tucson, Ariz., March 20-28. The Norse will play 10 games in five days at the Tucson Invitational Games before returning home to begin Iowa Conference action at Central College April 1.
