CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - After suffering a 3-0 loss in the opener, the 24th-ranked Kohawks bounced back to take a 4-1 decision from seventh-ranked Central in the Iowa Conference opener for both teams.  The two teams combined for just five hits in the opener, but doubled that in the nightcap.
Central scored one run in three different innings in the opener.  The first run for the Dutch came on a bases loaded walk in the first inning, while they scattered the final two in the third and sixth innings.  Coe managed just two hits in the game, as Central pitcher Kiley Lythberg struck out seven Kohawks.

After a 1-2-3 start to the game on defense, the Kohawks struck first offensively in the nightcap.  With one out, freshman Callie Morningstar (Lisbon, Iowa/Lisbon) doubled to left center.  With a full count, senior Chelsea Zaugg (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier) launched the ball over the center field fence, putting the Kohawks ahead 2-0.

The Dutch would quickly cut into the Coe lead, scoring their first run of the game in the top of the second inning.  Senior Abby Wedemeier (Maynard, Iowa/West Central) led off the third inning with a bunt single.  Morningstar moved Wedemeier to second on a sacrifice bunt.  Just two pitches later, Zaugg struck again with a double to right center, plating Wedemeier.

The Kohawks scored the final run of the game in the fifth inning.  With one out, Wedemeier singled to center field.  She would later move to second on a wild pitch.  With two outs, Zaugg Singled, plating Wedemeier for the second time in the game.

Zaugg and Wedemeier combined for five of the Kohawks' seven hits.  Morningstar and junior Shannon Aguero (Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine) had the other two.  Sophomore Ashlee Simon (Riverside, Iowa/Highland) improved to 12-3 on the year, throwing all seven innings.  She struck out seven, while giving up just three hits.

Coe will return to action on Wednesday as they host Wartburg.  First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Clark Field.