Up and down, Luther is potent

There are no breaks when facing the Luther College softball team.

In the Iowa Conference tournament final Saturday, the bottom three hitters collected seven of the Norse's 16 hits in a 16-6 rout of Simpson.

"The last three seasons, we really had relied on our top three or four batters," said Norse Coach Renae Hartl. "Now, we know we can get it done, 1 through 9."

Luther takes its balanced lineup to Whitewater, Wis., for an NCAA Division III regional that begins Thursday.

The top-seeded Norse (37-5) face St. Norbert (30-6) in the first round at 10 a.m.

For the most part, Luther will be navigating a field of unfamiliar opponents.

"That's just fine," Hartl said. "We're just going to show up and play ball."

The winner advances to the national tournament next weekend at Eau Claire, Wis.

Potent up and down the lineup, Luther is averaging 7.8 runs and 9.9 hits per game. Eight starters are batting .350 or better.

Anna Simonson leads the way at .426. Former Edgewood-Colesburg standout Tiffany Kruse hits .415.

"We've got a lot of experience," Hartl said. "Yes, we've got 21 girls on the team, and 14 are freshmen or sophomores.

"But of our starters, we have one freshman and three sophomores. The rest are (upperclassmen)."

The Norse have won 12 consecutive games.

Simpson (31-10) and Central (30-12) earned at-large bids and will compete in a regional at Indianola.