DUBUQUE - Dubuque Hempstead used early outbursts in each game to sweep a Mississippi Valley Conference softball doubleheader from Linn-Mar on Thursday, but it wasn't enough to catch Jefferson in the Valley Division.

Hempstead beat the Lions 5-2 and 9-5, but finished one-half game behind Jefferson, which beat Waterloo East twice.

Hempstead (35-4, 22-4) scored four runs over the first two innings of the first game. The Mustangs' Hannah Koeperich tossed a three-hitter with eight strikeouts.

Leandra Martins' two-run double in the fourth inning brought home both runs for Linn-Mar (16-24, 9-17).

Hempstead scored five runs in the first inning of the nightcap and added three more runs in the third.

Kelsey Duggan and Ellie Rizor had three hits apiece for Linn-Mar. Rizor hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning.

Maggie Rizor and Martins had two hits apiece for Linn-Mar.

The Lions open regional tournament play Saturday with a first-round game at home against Kennedy. A win would put them in the regional semifinals July 11 at Muscatine.