The Iowa Lakes Softball Team had everything working today to earn a sweep over Ellsworth Community College. Lexi Chase allowed just one earned run in the circle and the Laker bats combined for 25 hits in the two games. The Lakers needed just sixteen outs to defeat the Panthers 8-0 in game one and then took the 9-3 win in game two. The Lakers are now 3-5 overall and 3-3 in conference.
Game One: ILCC 8, ECC 0 (6 innings)
The game was a pitchers dual until the fifth inning, when the Lakers broke things open. Amanda Franke led the way with a single to start the inning. Lexi Chase then singled up the middle, before Kailey Maksim sacrificed her at bat to advance both runners. Eliya Johnson and Allie McCabe both singled to put the Lakers up 2-0. Kaitlin Roundy and Kamryn Buntrock each followed with doubles to give the Lakers a 5-0 lead. Kiley Hill drove in the final run of the inning with a single to right field to score Buntrock.
Chase and the Lakers made quick work of the Panthers in the top of sixth, striking out two and getting one hitter to fly out to Hill in left.
Iowa Lakes scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to end the game early. Johnson started with a single and advanced to second when McCabe was hit by a pitch. Roundy followed with a walk to load the bases and bring Buntrock to the plate. She then drove the ball off the center field fence to score both Johnson and McCabe to complete the 8-0 six inning victory.
The Lakers were led at the plate by Kamryn Buntrock. She was 3-4 with four runs batted in and one run scored. Eliya Johnson was 2-4 with two runs scored and one run batted in. Lexi Chase also added two hits of her own. Chase also picked up the win for the Lakers. She pitched a six inning shutout, where she allowed just three hits, while walking one and striking out eleven.
Game Two: ILCC 9, ECC 3
The Lakers continued their hot hitting, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first. Chase led off with a double to left and quickly scored on a single off the bat of Johnson. Johnson advanced to third on a single from Roundy, before scoring on another double from Buntrock. With runners at second and third, Mackenna Otte singled to left to put the Lakers up 3-0.
Ellsworth Community College scored a run of their own in the top of second on a homerun. Johnson came right back, getting the next batter to fly out to left. The next Panther hitter walked, before Johnson struck out one and got one to fly out to Roundy to end the inning. The Lakers went down in order in the bottom of the second.
The Panthers put up another run in the top of the third on one walk, one single, and a sacrifice fly. Iowa Lakes quickly extended their lead in their half of the inning, scoring three runs. Johnson got things started when she blasted a ball over the left center fence. McCabe and Roundy each singled, before Buntrock hit her second double of the game to score McCabe and advance Roundy to third. Hill stepped up with some great situational hitting, getting a ground ball to the right side to score Roundy and put the Lakers up 6-2.
Johnson got herself in some trouble in the top of the fourth, walking three batters. Chase got the nod and made quick work of the next three Panther batters to keep the 6-2 lead intact.
Chase got the bottom of the fourth started by doubling to center. Maksim followed with a walk, before Johnson singled to score Chase. McCabe did her job, by hitting a sacrifice fly to right to score the eighth Laker run of the game.
The score remained 8-2 until the Lakers scored in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, McCabe hit a solo homerun to put the Lakers up 9-2.
Ellsworth scored one run in the top of the seventh on two hits, before Chase struck out the final two Panther hitters.
Chase picked up her second win of the day, allowing one earned run in four innings. She gave up five hits, while striking out five batters. Eliya Johnson pitched three innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits, while walking six and striking out two. Eliya Johnson led the Lakers at the plate, going 3-4 with three runs batted in, two runs scored, and a homerun. Kaitlin Roundy was also 3-4 with two runs scored. Allie McCabe, Kamryn Buntrock, and Lexi Chase each had multi-hit games for the Lakers.
The Lakers will play at home again tomorrow, March 29th at 1:00 and 3:00 PM.
Photo ID: Photo of Kailey Maksim playing defense attached.
MEDIA: For more information, please contact Head Softball Coach, Katie King at (712) 362-8367 or the Iowa Lakes sports information office at (712) 362-7928.