Luther and nationally ranked No. 17 University of Dubuque faced each other this afternoon in Decorah for the first two games of this American Rivers Conference series. Today's games were originally scheduled to be played in Dubuque, but were moved to Decorah due to extremley wet conditions on the Spartans field. Since this three-game series was a home-stand for the Spartans, they were the home team this afternoon.

Game one turned into a slugfest with the two teams combining for 29 hits and 21 runs. Unfortunately for Norse fans, the Spartans ended on top 11-10.

Dubuque took an early 3-0 lead thanks to a three-run home over the left field fence by Rachel Trader in the first. Both teams scored four runs in the second and two in the third. Luther tied the game 9-9 with a three-run fifth, highlighted with a two-run home run by Elsa Skeie. Dubuque re-took the lead scoring twice in the fifth. Neither team was able to muster a run in the sixth.

The Norse made things interesting in the seventh. Sydney Schultz started the frame with a double off the left field fence. The Spartans brought in their ace Lexi Schmidt to pitch. Skeie grounded out to the shortstop that advanced Schultz to third with one out. Hannah Halverson drew a walk, that was followed by a sacrifice fly to center field by Morgan Hogenson, that scored Schultz. Abby Spore followed with a single that sent Halverson to third with two outs and two runners on. Kendra Cooper drew a walk to load the bases. Schmidt was able to get Kyal Heydt to ground out to the shortstop that secured the victory.

Five Norse produced multiple hit games. Schultz finished 4-for-5 with 4 RBI. Katie Brennan and Hogenseon were both 2-for-4 and drove in a run. Belle Berg was 3-for-4 with an RBI and Abby Spore was 3-for-5.

The loss gives Luther an overall record of 12-5, 1-2 in the A-R-C. Dubuque improved to 8-2 overall, 4-1 in league play.