The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team earned themselves a sweep on their third day in a row playing. The Lakers beat Southeast Community College 11-2 in five innings and then 11-8 to in game two. The Lakers are now 30-16 overall and 11-13 in conference.

GAME 1: 11 (ILCC), 2 (CCC) 5 innings

Alyssa Thorson had a monster day at the plate, reaching base in every plate appearance. She started the day with a double off the center field fence. She then advanced to third on a single from MacKenna Jones. Paige Grafton stepped up and executed a sacrifice fly to give the Lakers the early 1-0 lead. The Storm were able to get the second out of the inning when Jones was forced out at second on a fielder's choice from Karisa Hernandez. Hernandez then put herself in scoring position with a stolen base and scored on the next pitch on a single from Baylee O'Donnell.

The second inning saw the Lakers put two more runs up on the scoreboard. Kiaya Dunbar and Thorson each drew a walk. Unfortunately, a double steal attempt did not go in the Lakers favor and Dunbar was thrown out at third. With Thorson on second, Jones delivered a shot over the center field fence to put the Lakers up 4-0.

Southeast was able to get on the board when a Laker error allowed a runner to advance all the way to third. This was followed by a double to make the score 4-1. Jones was able to get the final two outs of the inning on a fly out to Macy Alderson and a strikeout. The Storm scored another run in the fifth inning on a solo homerun.

Hernandez got things started in the bottom of the fifth with a single. Back to back singles by O'Donnell and Olivia Funk loaded up the bases. A hard hit groundball from Abby Zahn that was misplayed by the third basemen allowed Hernandez to score. O'Donnell quickly followed Hernandez home on a passed ball to give the Lakers a 6-2 lead. Brielle Bartelt ran for Funk at third base and scored on a Dunbar groundout. With Zahn now on third, Thorson walked and Jones singled to make the score 9-2.

With the Lakers needed just one run to end the game early, Hernandez led the inning off with a single. O'Donnell then delivered a homerun to end the game early and give the Lakers the 11-2 victory.

MacKenna Jones was 3-4 at the plate, scoring one time and driving in four runs. Baylee O'Donnell was also 3-4 with two runs scored and three runs batted in. Alyssa Thorson was a perfect 2-2 with two walks, two stolen bases, and three runs scored. Jones picked up the win for the Lakers in the circle. She allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits and four walks, while striking out 12.

GAME 2: 11 (ILCC), 8 (SCC)

The Lakers again jumped out to the early lead in game two with Thorson again leading off with a double. This was followed by Jones double to get them on the board. Not wanting to be outdone, Hernandez and O'Donnell both doubled to give the Lakers a 3-0 lead. Bartelt again entered the game to run for O'Donnell and advanced to third on a single from Olivia Funk. With two outs, Jayda Staige helped herself out by singling to score Bartelt.

Iowa Lakes put two quick runs up on the board in the second with a single from Thorson and a homerun from Jones.

With the Lakers up 6-0, the Storm were able to capitalize on two Laker errors and a passed ball to get on the scoreboard.

Back to back homeruns from Thorson and Jones gave the Lakers a 8-1 lead going into the fifth inning.

Southeast again capitalized on a Laker error to put more runs up. The error was followed by a double and homerun to make the score 8-4 in favor of the Lakers. Iowa Lakes was able to get three back in the bottom of the fifth. Staige reached on a single to left and then advanced to third on a Storm error off the bat of Dunbar. Thorson then stepped up and hit her second homerun of the game to put the Lakers up 11-4.

The Storm scored one more run in the sixth on a solo homerun and their final three runs in the seventh on two singles and a homerun.

Alyssa Thorson was a perfect 4-4 at the plate. She scored four runs, batted in four runs, and blasted two homeruns. MacKenna Jones was 3-4 with three runs scored, four runs batted in, and two homeruns. Jayda Staige was the winning pitcher in the game. She allowed eight runs, six earned, in seven innings. She did this on eight hits, while striking out eight.

Photo ID: Picture of Alyssa Thorson 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. 

 Photography: Cecil Ramsey Photography