The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team swiped eleven bases in their two game sweep over Dakota Wesleyan JV. The Lakers played two shortened games, winning 8-0 in game one and 14-6 in game two. Iowa Lakes is now 26-10 overall and 9-7 in conference play.
GAME 1: 8 (ILCC), 0 (DWJV) 5 innings
Both teams were quiet offensively, until the Lakers got things started in the third. Macy Alderson drew a one out walk and then stole two consecutive bases to get herself just 60 feet from home. Kiaya Dunbar scored her on a double to left center. With two outs and Dunbar still on second, consecutive doubles by MacKenna Jones, Paige Grafton, and Karisa Hernandez gave the Lakers a 4-0 lead. The Lakers were not done there though, because Baylee O'Donnell followed with a stand up triple to score Hernandez. Iowa Lakes then took advantage of a Dakota Wesleyan error to keep the rally going. With Olivia Funk now on first, Abby Zahn walked and Macy Alderson doubled to score the final two runs of the game.
MacKenna Jones and the defense were able to shut the Tigers down in order in the fourth. With their backs against the wall and needing a run in the fifth, the Tigers led off the inning with a hit by pitch. Jones was then able to shut them down with three straight strikeouts to end the game.
Macy Alderson was a perfect 2-2 at the plate with two runs batted in and two stolen bases. Paige Grafton was 2-3 at the plate with a double. Paige Grafton, Macy Alderson, Kiaya Dunbar, MacKenna Jones, Karisa Hernandez, and Baylee O'Donnell each had extra base hits in the game. MacKenna Jones (14-3) pitched her fifth shutout of the year. She allowed just two hits with one hit by pitch, while striking out eleven of the fifteen outs in the game.
GAME 2: 14 (ILCC), 6 (DWJV) 5 innings
The Lakers got on the scoreboard first in game two. Thorson singled and then advanced to second on a groundout to third base off the bat of Jones. Grafton was able to score Thorson with her double to center.
Iowa Lakes lost their lead in the third when they allowed four runs. The leadoff batter singled and then stole second. O'Donnell was able to get the first out of the inning on a strikeout. An Iowa Lakes error allowed runners to be on the corners. The first run of the inning came with a groundout to Brielle Bartelt. With a runner at second, O'Donnell allowed a walk and homerun to give the Tigers a 4-1 lead. The final out of the inning was recorded on a fly out to Bartelt.
Thorson got things going in the bottom half of the inning with another single. She then put herself in scoring position by stealing second and then scampered home on a Jones single. Jones was able to advance to second on the throw and then scored herself on a Hernandez single.
Bartelt got the scoring train going in the fourth with a leadoff single. She then stole second before Alderson drew a four pitch walk. Both runners then swiped a base to put pressure on the defense. Kiaya Dunbar then stepped up to single to give the Lakers a 5-4 lead. Thorson followed with a walk, before the Lakers again pulled off a double steal to put two runners in scoring position. Jones doubled to score both runners, before scoring on a Grafton homerun. Hernandez kept things going with a single before back-to-back homeruns from Jayda Staige and Funk put the Lakers up 12-4. Bartelt came up for her second time in the inning and delivered another single. She was then forced out at second from an Alderson groundball. Alderson stole second and then advanced to third on Dunbar's single. Thorson scored Alderson to score the Lakers final run of the inning.
Dakota Wesleyan would not go down without a fight. They scored two runs in the top of the fifth on three singles and a hit by pitch to force the bottom of the inning. Iowa Lakes made quick work, only needing two batters to end the game early. Hernandez led off with a walk and then scored from first on a Staige double.
Iowa Lakes was able to put up sixteen hits in the game, with eight girls having a multi-hit game. MacKenna Jones, Paige Grafton, and Jayda Staige each had three runs batted in during the game. Macy Alderson, Brielle Bartelt, Kiaya Dunbar, and Alyssa Thorson each stole two bases in the game. Jayda Staige got the win in the circle for the Lakers. She pitched two innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits, one walk, and one hit batter. She struck out three batters in the game. Baylee O'Donnell pitched three innings, allowing four runs, zero earned, on five hits and one walk, while striking out one.
The Lakers will start their eighteen game home stand this weekend against Iowa Central Community College. The Lakers will play at 1:00 and 3:00 PM on Saturday.
Photo ID: Picture of Alyssa Thorson sliding safely into second 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: Cecil Ramsey Photography