The Iowa Lakes Softball team began regional tournament play in Boone, Iowa, beating Northeast Community College the first game 7-6 before losing to Des Moines Area Community College 7-1 the second game. The Lakers are now 24-22 overall.
Game One: ILCC 7, NCC 6
The Lakers were first to score. Things started with a Lexi Chase walk followed by an Eliya Johnson homerun to make the score an early 2-0 Laker lead.
After another scoreless inning from the Hawks, the Lakers jumped at the opportunity to score more runs in the bottom of the second inning. Things were started by Allie McCabe and Mackenna Otte who both hit infield singles. Kiley Hill laid down a sacrifice bunt to move McCabe and Otte to second and third. McCabe then scored from the bat of Amanda Franke who hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Chase then stepped up and hit a double to score Otte. Not to be outdone, Kailey Maksim then singled to score Chase from second, giving the Lakers the final run of the inning and to make the score 5-0.
The Hawks answered in the top of the third scoring 1 run off of a single, error, a sacrifice bunt, and a single.
The score remained 5-1 until the bottom of the 4th when the Lakers scored two more runs. Franke started the inning with a walk and a stolen base. Franke scored from a double from Maksim who herself then scored on a single from Johnson, making the score 7-1.
Northeast wasn't done yet, as they as they scored 3 runs in the top of the 5th. They did so from two singles, a double, a sacrifice fly, and a Laker error.
The Lakers were held scoreless in both the 5th and 6th innings.
Going into the top of the 7th with a 7-4 lead, the Hawks didn't let down. The Hawks got on base from a walk, a Laker error, and another walk. With the bases loaded, Northeast scored two runs with two outs from an error. With the Hawks threatening to tie the game, Chase came in for relief and got the last batter to strike out to end the game at 7-6 in favor of the Lakers.
Eliya Johnson led the Lakers at the plate going 2-3 with a homerun and 3 RBI's. Allie McCabe went 3-3 and Kailey Maksim was 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI's. Johnson got the win on the mound going 6.2 innings while giving up 6 hits, 6 runs, 3 earned runs, 6 walks, and 6 strikeouts. Chase got her second save of the season with one strikeout.
Game Two: ILCC 1, DMACC 7
The Lakers then advanced in the bracket to take on DMACC in their second game of the day.
The Bears scored first in the bottom of the first inning. They did so from two singles and a Laker error, giving DMACC an early 1-0 lead.
The score remained 1-0 until Iowa Lakes answered in the top of the 3rd inning. Kiley Hill walked and advanced to third from a bunt from Amanda Franke. Lexi Chase then stepped up and hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing for Hill to cross the plate and tying up the game 1-1.
The Bears responded quickly putting up another run in the bottom of the 3rd from a walk, stolen base, and a single.
DMACC scored in the bottom of the 4th from a walk, single, and stolen base which gave the Bears a 3-1 lead.
The Lakers were unable to respond as the Bears put up 2 more runs in the bottom of the 5th from four singles which gave DMACC a 5-1 lead.
The Lakers put up a threat in the top of the 6th with runners on second and third but were unable to capitalize.
DMACC put up their final two runs in the bottom of the 6th with a single, double, sacrifice fly, and a wild pitch.
The Lakers lost 7-1. Lexi Chase was 1-2 at the plate with one RBI. Chase took the loss on the mound, giving up 12 hits, 7 runs, 6 earned, 3 walks, and 4 strike outs.
The Lakers will be back in action in the elimination game of the tournament tomorrow, May 9th. They will face Northeast CC at 12:00 PM in Boone, Iowa. Winner will advance to the championship game and will play DMACC at 2:00 PM.
Photo ID: Photo of Kiley Hill 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.