CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Coe College softball team split its American Rivers Conference opening double-header with Luther College on Saturday, falling 5-3 in 11 innings in game one while winning game two 2-0. Game one went Luther's way after a lengthy 11-inning contest, as the Norse scored two runs in the top of the inning to take the lead in the series. Coe's Game two starter Hannah Ausenhus dominated the Norse, tossing a complete-game, two-hitter to earn the split. The sophomore right-hander walked just one batter while also recording one strike-out.  With the results, Coe moves to 5-3 overall and opens league play at 1-1 while Luther moves to 9-3 and 1-1 in the A-R-C. 
 
The Kohawks picked up 13 hits in the two games, including a double in each game from sophomore catcher Skyler Stookey. Keera Ball, Natalie Blank and Ruby Kappeler all joined Stookey with multiple hits across the two games, with Ball recording two in each game. Stookey, Ball and Kappeler picked up RBI for the Kohawks as Stookey recorded two in game one and the game-winning RBI in game-one. Ausenhus, who earned her third win of the season, dropped her overall ERA to 1.24 in 22.2 IP. Abby Stock started game one, providing a solid effort inside the circle. She pitched all 11 innings while allowing just five hits and two earned runs. Despite earning the loss, Stock's overall ERA dropped below three to 2.49.  
 
GAME 1 
LUTHER 5 - COE 3
Luther jumped out to an early lead on a windy afternoon, as Belle Berg hit a home run in the top of the second inning to give the Norse a 1-0 lead. They added to the margin in the top of the third, pushing two more runs across after RBI singles from Katie Brennan and Sydney Schultz. Coe finally got to the two-time A-R-C pitcher of the week Kendra Cooper in the third inning, tallying three runs in the frame. Blank and Kelsey Hora reached base safely with one out in the inning to set the stage for Ball and Stookey. 
 
Ball kicked-off the scoring with an RBI single to score Blank and Stookey followed suit with an RBI double to score Hora and Ball. After a scoreless top of the fourth inning for Luther, Coe threatened again in the bottom half, but Cooper stranded the bases loaded with a ground out. The teams then combined for seven-straight scoreless innings despite the Kohawks loading the bases in the ninth inning. The Norse finally broke through in the top of the 11th inning after an RBI from Abby Spore, putting them in front 4-3. Coe put one runner on in the bottom of the frame but was unable to mount a comeback. 
 
GAME 2
COE 2 - LUTHER 0
Coe struck first in game two, pushing one run across in the home-half of the first inning. Ball reached with one out on a Norse error and came around to score on Stookey's double, giving the Kohawks a 1-0 lead. Game two starter Hannah Ausenhus was dominant, as she opened the game with four scoreless innings, retiring the side in the third and fourth. The Kohawks picked her up in the bottom of the fourth inning, adding a run with a Ruby Kappeler RBI-single. Ausenhus remained in control for the remainder of the contest, mowing down Luther in order in the sixth and seventh innings to secure the series split. 
 
Up next: Coe is back on the diamond on Wednesday, March 24 when they host a non-conference double-header with UW-Platteville at 2:00 p.m. 
 
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