Iowa Lakes Softball traveled to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to begin their Regional Tournament. The tournament was originally scheduled for this past weekend, but due to weather began play today. The Lakers earned the three seed in the tournament to take on the six seed, Ellsworth Community College.
The Panthers struck first with a solo homerun off of Courtney Calkins. The Lakers quickly fought back, scoring six runs in their half of the inning. Julia Sullwold led off with a single to right and stole second. She came around to score on a Leilani San Pedro single. Deanna Gerrard followed with a single to left to advance San Pedro to third. During Shelby Davis' at bat, Gerrard stole second. Some aggressive baserunning from San Pedro allowed her to score on a Davis fielder's choice to third base. Calkins then singled to the pitcher to score Gerrard and put runners at first and second. Montanna Popp then drove a triple over the centerfielders head to score two, before she scored on a passed ball to put the Lakers up 6-1.
The Panthers rallied in the second inning to score two runs on three hits. Sullwold again led off the inning, but this time with a walk. San Pedro hit her second single of the game before Gerrard followed with a single to score Sullwold. Davis then walked to load up the bases and Calkins grounded into a fielder's choice to score San Pedro and put the Lakers up 8-3.
Ellsworth scored one run in the top of the third on two hits. Iowa Lakes rallied to score four runs in the bottom of the third to put themselves up 12-3. Back to back singles from Popp and Kaitlin Walsh brought up the top of the order. Sullwold drove a ball to center to score both Popp and Walsh and advance herself to second. Sullwold then stole third base and scored on a Lauren Hein sacrifice fly. San Pedro doubled to right field and came around to score on a Gerrard single up the middle.
The Lakers held the Panthers scoreless in the top of the fourth and scored one run of their own in the bottom of the fourth to put themselves up 13-4. The Panthers scored their final run of the game in the top of the fifth off one hit and one Laker error.
The Lakers used a combination of pitchers to get the win today. Calkins started the game and got the win. She allowed four earned runs on five hits, while striking out four. Ashton Kazmierski threw the final two innings, allowing one run, zero earned, on two hits and one strikeout.
San Pedro and Gerrard both were perfect at the plate. San Pedro scored three runs, while batting in one and Gerrard batted in three runs, while crossing the plate one time. Sullwold was also 2-3 with two runs batted in, three runs scored, and two stolen bases.
The Lakers will continue Regional play tomorrow when they take on Kirkwood Community College at 2:00 PM tomorrow