The Iowa Lakes Softball team split on their final day of the series against Ellsworth Community College. The Lakers took game one 4-3, before falling 18-4 in five innings in game two. The Lakers are now 4-6 overall and 4-4 in conference play.
Game One: ILCC 4, ECC 2
Lexi Chase got things started for the Lakers in the bottom of the first with a single. Kailey Maksim was then hit by a pitch before Chase scored on a single off the bat of Eliya Johnson. Johnson then stole second to put runners at second and third. Allie McCabe grounded out to score Maksim and put the Lakers up 2-0. Kamryn Buntrock took four straight balls and then stole second to bring up Mackenna Otte. Otte drove a ball to right field to score the third and fourth Iowa Lakes runs.
The score remained 4-0 until the top of the third, when the Panthers scored one run on two hits. Ellsworth scored another run in the fourth on a Laker error, stolen base, and single to center. The final Panther run came in the top of the fifth on one hit and a stolen base.
The Lakers were led at the plate by Lexi Chase. She was 3-4 with one run scored. Mackenna Otte, Amanda Franke, and Eliya Johnson each had one hit in the game, while Otte had two runs batted in. Lexi Chase picked up her third win of the series, allowing two earned runs of the three runs in the game. She gave up six hits, while striking out 8.
Game Two: ILCC 4, ECC 18 (5 innings)
The Panthers offense was too much for the Lakers to handle in game two. The Lakers allowed ten runs in inning one on six hits and four walks. The Lakers got two runs back in the bottom half of the inning, when Johnson singled and then came around on a Kaitlin Roundy homerun.
Iowa Lakes scored another two runs in the bottom of the second. Maksim and Myah Ehlenfeldt drew back-to-back walks. A Panther error loaded the bases and brought up the top of the lineup. Chase hit into a fielder's choice, scoring Maksim from third base. Johnson then doubled to left to score the final Laker run of the game.
The Panthers scored two runs in the top of the third on three walks and a single. They scored another two runs in the fourth on a single, error, walk, and homerun. Their final four runs came in the top of the fifth on three hits, one error, one walk, one hit by pitch, and one passed ball.
The Lakers combined for ten hits in game two. Kamryn Buntrock and Eliya Johnson each had two hits, while Kaitlin Roundy homered. Eliya Johnson took the loss for the Lakers. She allowed four earned runs on four walks. Lexi Chase pitched one inning, allowing six earned runs on six hits and one strikeout. Kiley Hill pitched the final four innings of the game, allowing eight runs, four earned on eight hits, five walks, one hit by pitch, and two strikeouts.
Iowa Lakes will travel to Iowa Central Community College on Wednesday, March 31st to take on the Tritons. Game times will be 2:00 and 4:00 PM.
Photo ID: Photo of Kiley Hill pitching 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.??