The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team turned to the long ball to earn a sweep over Northeast Community College. MacKenna Jones picked up the win in the 4-2 game one victory and Jayda Staige earned the win in the 16-11 game two win. The Lakers are now 19-7 overall and 4-4 in conference.
GAME 1: 4 (ILCC), 2 (NCC)
The Lakers were able to jump out to the early lead in game one. Alyssa Thorson led off the game with a double. She then advanced to third on a Bryn Bohmann sacrifice fly. MacKenna Jones then scored Thorson on a single.
Northeast was able to tie things up in the bottom of the third on a solo homerun.
Iowa Lakes quickly took the lead back when Olivia Funk drew a four pitch one out walk. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and third on a Baylee O'Donnell groundout. Macy Alderson then delivered a two out single to put the Lakers back on top.
O'Donnell wanted some insurance runs for the Lakers, leading off the top of the seventh with a homerun. Alderson then singled and stole her way around to third, before scoring on a passed ball. With the Lakers up 4-1 with only half an inning left, Jones got the first out on a groundball to Bohmann. A solo homerun followed to put the Hawks to within two. Jones quickly shut down any rally with a strikeout and groundout to Bohmann.
MacKenna Jones pitched all seven innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits and four walks. She struck out seven in the game. Macy Alderson was 2-3 with three stolen bases, while MacKenna Jones was also 2-3 with a run batted in.
GAME 2: 16 (ILCC), 11 (NCC)
There was a whole lot of offense in game two. Luckily for the Lakers, their offense was a little bit better than the Hawks. Jones got things started with a solo homerun in the first. The Hawks quickly took the lead in the bottom half of the inning. They scored two runs on two hits, three walks, and a passed ball.
With one out in the top of the second, O'Donnell singled to right. Jayda Staige followed with a groundball to second that was misplayed. Alderson then stepped up and delivered a homerun to put the Lakers up 5-2. Bohmann also homered in the inning to give the Lakers a 6-2 lead. Staige kept the momentum, shutting Northeast down in order.
Paige Grafton led off the third with a double. Karisa Hernandez singled up the middle, scoring Grafton from second. This was the only run scored in the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Hawks cut the Lakers lead down to two. Staige allowed two walks to put runners in scoring position. With two outs, Northeast doubled and singled to score three runs.
With the Lakers now up 7-5, Grafton started the rally. She singled and then advanced to second on a Hernandez walk. A fielder's choice off the bat of O'Donnell allowed Grafton to advance to third. Staige helped herself out by singling up the middle to score Grafton. Alderson then followed with a single of her own to left, scoring O'Donnell. Both runners then advanced on the throw to home. With two runners in scoring position, Kiaya Dunbar single up the middle to give the Lakers an 11-5 lead. Northeast was able to put up five runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. A leadoff hit batter and single made way for a three run Hawks homerun. This was followed by a solo shot. A walk and wild pitch put another runner in scoring position. This runner came around to score on a single to Thorson in center.
Iowa Lakes knew they needed to continue to put runs up on the board. Bohmann hit her second homerun of the game to give the offense a spark. Jones followed with a single and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Hernandez then homered to center to put the Lakers up 14-10.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Thorson singled. She then advanced to third on a Bohmann double and was able to cross the plate on a Northeast throwing error. Bohmann advanced to third on a passed ball, before scoring on a misplayed ball off the bat of Jones. Northeast was able to get one run in the bottom of the seventh on a single, walk, and single. With bases loaded, O'Donnell was able to record the final out of the game by herself.
Jayda Staige earned her second win of the weekend, pitching 4.2 innings. She allowed eight earned runs on seven hits and five walks. She struck out four Northeast batters. Baylee O'Donnell pitched 2.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and three walks. She struck out two Hawks batters. Every athlete in the lineup recorded a hit for the Lakers in game two. Bohmann was 3-5 with three runs scored and two runs batted in. Karisa Hernandez was 2-3 with three runs batted in, while Macy Alderson recorded four runs batted in and Kiaya Dunbar recorded three runs batted in.
Iowa Lakes will continue their road trip with a double header at Central Community College- Columbus. This will be played on Wednesday, March 29th at 2:00 and 4:00 PM.
Photo ID: Picture of Baylee O'Donnell recording an out at first base.
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.
Photography Credit: Cecil Ramsey Photography