The Iowa Lakes Softball team travelled to Creston, Iowa to take on Southwestern Community College on Friday. The Lakers won game one 10-9 and lost the second 12-2 in five innings. Iowa Lakes is now 6-8 overall and 6-6 in conference.
Game One: ILCC 10, SWCC 9
Lexi Chase started things for the Lakers in the top of the first with a leadoff double. She advanced to third on a ground out from Kailey Maksim and scored on a ground out from Eliya Johnson. The Spartans quickly took the lead back in their half of the inning, scoring two runs on three hits and one walk.
Allison McCabe was not going to let the Southwestern lead last long. She led off the inning with a single and scored on a double off the bat of Mackenna Otte. Amanda Franke hit a fly ball to right that was misplayed and advanced runners to second and third. Chase then drove a ball to score Otte and stole a base to put herself into scoring position. Maksim quickly followed with a two run RBI up the middle to put the Lakers ahead 5-2. Southwestern closed the gap in the bottom of the second, scoring two runs on two hits, one walk, and one Laker error.
Kiley Hill and Franke led off the fourth with back to back singles to bring up the top of the lineup. Chase then hit her second homerun of the season over the centerfield fence to plate three runs. Johnson singled to right and advanced to second on a Kaitlin Roundy walk. Buntrock then hit into a fielder's choice that advanced Johnson to third. McCabe hit her second hit of the game to score Johnson and put the Lakers up 9-4. The Spartans got two runs back on a walk and homerun. They scored another run in the bottom of the fifth on a solo homerun.
Not to be outdone, Maksim hit a solo homerun to lead off the sixth inning. Southwestern brought the score within one in the top of the sixth on a solo homerun, single, and double.
With the score 10-9 going into the bottom of the seventh, Chase got the first Spartan batter to fly out to Buntrock at first. The next two Southwestern batters grounded out to Otte and Maksim to complete the win.
The Lakers were led in all areas by Lexi Chase. She pitched all seven innings, where she allowed nine runs, eight earned on twelve hits, three walks, and one hit by pitch, while striking out 8. At the plate, Chase was 3-3 with a double, homerun, and walk. She drove in four of her teammates, while crossing the plate 3 times of her own. Maksim was 2-4 in the game with a homerun and three runs batted in.
Game Two: SWCC 12, ILCC 2 (6 innings)
The Lakers again scored first in the game. Maksim singled up the middle and advanced to third on a single from Johnson. Maksim then scored when Johnson drew a throw to second on a steal, putting the Lakers up 1-0.
The Spartans offense was too much for the Lakers to handle in game two. They scored twelve runs, eight earned, on eleven hits, seven walks, and one hit by pitch.
The Lakers second run came in the top of the second. Franke reached on a hard hit ball to right, that was misplayed by the right fielder and allowed her to advance to second. Chase stepped up again in her at bat and drove a ball to center, scoring Franke.
Lexi Chase again led the Lakers at the plate, going 2-3 with one run batted in. Kaitlin Roundy, Eliya Johnson, and Kailey Maksim each added a hit of their own. Eliya Johnson took the loss for the Lakers, allowing six earned runs in .2 innings on four hits, three walks, and one hit batter. Kiley Hill pitched 3.1 innings, allowing six runs, two earned, on seven hits and four walks, while striking out four.
The Lakers will take on the Spartans again on Saturday, April 3rd at 12:00 and 2:00 PM.
Photo ID: Photo of Lexi Chase hitting 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.