DUBUQUE — Recording just seven hits over 14 innings Saturday, the Central College softball team lost 2-0 and 4-2 at Loras College.
           
Central slipped to 22-10 overall and 5-7 in the American Rivers Conference. Loras is now 24-12 and 7-7 in conference play.
           
In the opener, Central only had base runners who reached scoring position three times after two hits and four walks. Jadyn Huisman (sophomore, Treynor) held Loras to two earned runs in 3.1 innings but suffered her fifth loss of the season.
           
In the second game, Central scratched a run across in the top of the first on the strength of Hannah Higgins (senior, third baseman, Macomb, Ill.) RBI double but the Duhawks scored four runs in the bottom half of the inning. That was enough offense for Loras to secure the sweep. Peyton Levine (freshman, Oswego, Ill., Yorkville HS) was the losing pitcher, allowing four earned runs in 3.0 innings.
           
Higgins finished the game with two hits. Rylee Dunkin (junior, Hamilton, Twin Cedars HS) and Sarah Stufflebeam (junior, shortstop, Macomb, Ill.) each scored one run. Huisman had one hit in each game.
           
Central hosts the University of Dubuque at 1 p.m. Sunday.