DAVENPORT, Iowa – Softball opened their season today in the Saint Ambrose dome over in Iowa and came away with a sweep! The Golden Eagles opened the day with a 6-3 victory over Saint Ambrose behind Taylor Zwagerman's three hits and strong pitching in the final innings. Softball would then grab a come from behind victory over Saint Ambrose thanks to Sam Timmer's two RBI single in the seventh inning, proving to be the difference maker. The action doesn't stop there as softball will be right back in action tomorrow morning against College of Saint Mary and Viterbo.
 
Game One Recap: Cornerstone – 6 Clarke - 3

• The first hit of the year belonged to no other than Moriah Sprague as she singled up the middle to open the season. The Golden Eagles threatened in the top of the first but stranded runners on first and third after the top of the first.
• McKenna Gilde struck out the first batter she faced as she kicked off her season on a high note with a 1-2-3 bottom of the first inning.
• Moriah Sprague opened the third inning with a single and then stole a base to get into scoring position with no outs. Later in the third, Anna Griffioen walked to give Cornerstone a 1-0 advantage, scoring their first run of the season. Sam Timmer would follow with a single into center to extend the lead 2-0 over Clarke as the bases remain loaded with no outs. Clarke escaped the third inning giving up just two runs as the Golden Eagles left the bases loaded.
• With one out in the bottom of the third, Clarke responded with an RBI single of their own to make it a 2-1 game as they have runners on first and third with one out. Clarke would later tie the game in the third thanks to error as the game heads into the fourth tied at two.
• With one out in the fifth, Clarke would hit a double as she would later come around to score on an error with two outs to give them a 3-2 lead over the Golden Eagles.
• Taylor Zwagerman opened the top of the sixth with double to give the Golden Eagles a runner in scoring position. Maddy Chatman would bring Zwagerman home on an infield single to tie it at three. After a Chatman stolen base, Morgan Jenkins would reach on error as that error would help give the Golden Eagles a 4-3 advantage after the top of the sixth.
• Alyssa Braam would come into the game in relief and would work a much-needed scoreless bottom of the sixth as the Golden Eagles head into the final inning up 4-3.
• Anna Griffioen would open the seventh with a double and would later score on a Sam Timmer single to help the Golden Eagles extend their lead 5-3. Taylor Zwagerman hit her second double of the game as this one would score the runner on second as the Golden Eagles continued to add insurance runs as it is now 6-3 in the seventh.
• Alyssa Braam worked a scoreless bottom of the seventh to give Cornerstone their first victory of the year, 6-3 over Clarke.

 
Game Two Recap: Cornerstone – 3 Saint Ambrose - 2

• Cornerstone threatened in the top of the first but stranded runners on second and third as Saint Ambrose escaped the jam.
• With two outs in the bottom of the first, Saint Ambrose struck first with a single into left field to take a 1-0 lead after the first.
• Alyssa Braam worked around a bases loaded jam as she struck out the side to keep it a 1-0 game after the second inning.
• The Golden Eagles loaded the bases with one out in the top third as Sam Timmer would bring one home as she took one for the team with a hit by pitch to tie it 1-1. Cornerstone would later leave the bases loaded as the game heads into the bottom of the third.
• Saint Ambrose loaded the bases with nobody out to open the third inning. They would late score on an RBI groundout to take a 2-1 lead over the Golden Eagles.
• Cornerstone left runners on second and third in the top of the fifth as Saint Ambrose continued to lead late.
• Thanks to a walk and single, the Golden Eagles had runners on second and third with nobody out as Cornerstone threatened in the top of the seventh. Sam Timmer would come through with a single as both runners scord to give Cornerstone a 3-2 advantage.
• After two singles with one out, McKenna Gilde would come into pitch in relief and shut the door on Saint Ambrose as the Golden Eagles escaped with a 3-2 victory.

 
By the Numbers:
5 – Sam Timmer led the Golden Eagles with five RBIs between both games
4.1 – Allie Lubben pitched 4.1 scoreless innings as she went 2-0 on the day in the pitchers circle
4 – Taylor Zwagerman led Cornerstone with four hits, and two doubles between both games
 
What's Next?
Softball will be right back in action tomorrow morning as they take on College of Saint Mary and Viterbo at 8:30 and 10 a.m.
 
Softball Contact: Jonny Strube | jon.strube@cornerstone.edu
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