NEW ULM, Minn. --- Crown College Softball's seventh-inning comeback came just short in a riveting matchup with conference rival Martin Luther on a beautiful Friday afternoon. The Storm scored four runs in the final inning but unfortunately stranded the bases loaded, leading to a significant sigh of relief for the Knights as they escaped with the sweep.

The Storm scored three runs in the first contest; Hailey Wilson hit a two-RBI double that scored Liz Kemp and Maddie Noble, and Laryssa Vik walked in Zoe Roberts. Lindsay Glover started for the Storm and pitched the first inning. Reliving Glover was sophomore Ashley Earick, who went the remainder of the game. 

Game two looked to be a repeat of the first contest, with the Storm only having one run through four innings, which occurred when Maddie Noble scored on a wild pitch. In the sixth inning, down 6-1, Ally Adams hit a double to start a comeback attempt hitting a double to score Kuulei Ili. After the Knights countered with a run of their own, the Storm came with a barrage of runs in the final inning.

The scoring started when Liz Kemp hit a double to score Zeta Brown. Roberts then tripled (one of her team-leading three hits) and scored Kemp. Hailey Wilson singled to score Roberts, and then Raquel Gonzalez singled to score Wilson. The Knights were able to get under control from there and closed out the game for the final two outs with the bases loaded and take the game by a hair, 7-6. 

Crown will next play on Wednesday when they face the UM-Morris Cougars at home. The Storm split with Morris their last series in non-conference play earlier this season.