#16 Iowa Lakes softball team hosted the Spartans from Southwestern Community College on Tuesday, April 11th. The Lakers combined for 25 hits in two games to win 10-4 and 11-3 (5 innings). With the wins, the Lakers improve to 27-10 overall and 12-6 in the conference.
Game One: ILCC 10, SWCC 4
In game one, Iowa Lakes dropped Southwestern, 10-4. Sophomore pitcher Courtney Calkins (13-3) earned the win. She allowed zero runs on two hits, while striking out seven Spartan batters. Freshman Kaitlyn Bowman pitched the final three innings, allowing four runs on seven hits.
The game started off with a three run bottom of the first by the Lakers. Freshman Julia Sullwold led off the game with a bunt down the first base line. Sophomore Lauren Hein hit her first homerun of the day to put the Lakers up 2-0. Sophomore Deanna Gerrard singled to left field and then stole her first base of the day to put herself in scoring position. Sophomore Shelby Davis hit a ground ball and reached on an error by the first baseman to score Gerrard.
The Lakers broke things open in the third, scoring six runs. Freshman Leilani San Pedro led off the inning launching the first pitch she saw over the left field fence. Gerrard then tripled and scored on a Shelby Davis infield single. Davis advanced to second on a throwing error and then was brought home on a Calkins double. Sophomore Blaney Markman singled to score Calkins and then advanced to second on a single off the bat of Freshman Kaitlin Walsh. Freshman Desiree Lopez then singled on a bunt to load the bases before Sullwold and Montanna Popp walked to bring in the final two Laker runs of the inning.
With the Spartans down to their last out, they scored three runs on a homerun to make the Lakers play the final two innings. The Lakers scored their final run of the game with a one out double by Davis, who then scored on a Calkins single. Southwestern scored their final run of the game in the top of the seventh on a solo homerun.
Lauren Hein led the Lakers at the plate, going 2-4 with two runs batted in and one run scored. Shelby Davis, Courtney Calkins, and Kaitlin Walsh were each 2-4, while Deanna Gerrard was 2-2.
Game Two: ILCC 11, SWCC 3
The Spartans struck first in game two, scoring three runs on four hits. The first Laker runs again came on a two run homerun. This time Calkins took a one out walk before Markman hit her eighth homerun of the year over the centerfield fence.
The Lakers took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the third when Sullwold led off the inning with a bunt down the third base line. Hein followed with a walk and a Gerrard fielder's choice loaded up the bases. Davis then drove a ball to left field to score Sullwold. A passed ball allowed both Hein and Gerrard to come around and score and put the Lakers up 5-3.
Kaitlin Walsh and Sophomore Julia Pfeiffer each singled in the bottom of the fourth to make Hein's second homerun of the day a three run shot. San Pedro kept things going with a single to left field. She stole second and then came home on a Gerrard triple. Davis hit a sacrifice fly to right field to clear the bases and put the Lakers up 10-3.
The Lakers scored their final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth on a walk off double from Hein. Pfeiffer took a one out walk before advancing on a wild pitch. Hein then drove the first ball she saw down the left field line to score Pfeiffer and complete the 11-3, 5 inning win.
Lauren Hein again led the Lakers at the plate. She was 2-3 with four runs batted in, two runs scored, and the game ending double. San Pedro was also 2-3 at the plate with one run scored. Freshman Ashton Kazmierski improved to 12-5 with the win. She allowed two earned runs on three hits, while striking out two.
The Lakers will be back in action on Friday, April 14th, when they travel to take on Ellsworth Community College.
Photo Credit to Cecil Ramsey Photography
