Coe Smothers Pioneers for pair of wins in home opener

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Sophomore Erica Smothers (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) ignited the Kohawk bats late in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader aginast Wisconsin-Platteville. With the Kohawks leading 3-0 in the fifth inning, Smothers hit the first of her two home runs in the game. Her three-run shot increased the lead to 6-0 in the fifth and her second three-run bomb ended the game on runs as Coe won 10-1.

Smothers finished the game two for two with six RBIs, while junior Danielle Leavens (Charles City, Iowa/Charles City) was three for four with two RBIs and senior April Kalmes (Springville, Iowa/Springville) was two for three with two RBIs.

Returning All-American Ellie Schultz (Clayton, Iowa/Clayton Ridge) notched her fifth win of the year in eight tries with a three-hit outting. She struck out six in six innings on the mound.

Smothers and junior transfer Sonja Schwenker (Burlington, Iowa/Burlington) provided the fire power of the offense in the second game. Smothers had a double, while Schwenker homered in the second inning. It was the second home run in three games for Schwenker, who finished with four RBIs in the game. Junior Ashley Leonard (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy) went two for two with an RBI.

Schwenker wasn't just helping her team out with her offensive power, she was helping herself out, as she went the full five innings on the mound for the Kohawks. She struck out a season-high 10 batters, while not surrendering a run for the sixth time this season.

The Kohawks will return to action on Saturday when they open Iowa Conference play against Luther. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Clark Field.