The Iowa Conference softball race is a dead heat heading into the stretch run. Luther and Central are both 10-2 in the league race after the Norse swept a doubleheader from the Dutch over the weekend. The regular season champion will get the top seed and serve as host of the six-team conference tournament.
Luther coach Renae Hartl says the top two spots are important, as you only have to play one game on opening day. She says the 1 or 2 spots have equal benefits.
Senior pitcher Lexy Determan is 17-2 with an earned average of under one and the Norse have gotten a bib boost from freshman pitcher Becca Girvan. The Minnesota native is 13-2 and tossed a four hitter in a 1-0 win against Central over the weekend. Hartl says Girvan’s inexperience may have actually helped her in the game against Central as she didn’t know their history and just came in and pitched like normal.
Luther is 30-4 overall and returns to action Wednesday at Loras. Central is also 30-4 and visits Cornell on Wednesday. Coe is currently in third in the Iowa Conference race with a record of 11-3.