The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team suffered two losses in day one of their weekend with final scores of 6-8 and 19-0. The Lakers come to to 22-15 overall for the season and 2-6 in conference.
GAME 1: 6 (ILCC), 8 (KCC)
Macy Pickett started hot in the circle for the Lakers. She allowed a leadoff walk but forced the next three batters out on three consecutive fly balls. On offense, Kaitlyn DuChateau reached base on a hit-by-pitch and a walk from Korilynn Christians advanced her 60 feet. Taylor Larson hit a hard ground ball that allowed Christians to reach second and DuChateau to score on an Eagle error. A fielder's choice put runners on the corners for the Lakers and another hit-by-pitch loaded the bases. With two outs, Alexis Cullinane took a walk that scored the second run of the inning which allowed the Lakers to take an early lead of 2-0.
The second inning was quiet, which each team hitting a single but leaving their runner stranded. The Eagles chipped away at the two-run deficit in the top of the third by hitting a solo home run. Despite a one out walk from Pickett and single from Karlee Akers, the Lakers were unable to score in their half of the third.
The Eagles took the lead in the top of the fourth on a single and a two-run home run, bringing the score to 3-2. The Lakers continued their fight in the fourth, seeing a leadoff single from Abby Burgess who stole second two pitches later. DuChateau followed with a walk to put runners on first and second. A sacrifice bunt from Marrissa Miller put the two in scoring position with one out. A two-out walk from Taylor Larson loaded the bases, but the third out would come too soon for the Lakers.
Pickett shut down Kirkwood's offense in the top of the fifth, striking out one. A two-out single in the bottom of the fifth from Brooklyn Bode was the only hit for the Lakers in their half. The Eagles extended their lead in the top of the sixth on a double and a two-run home run, bringing the score up to 5-2. Kassidy Elkins came into the circle for the Lakers and shut down the next three batters, striking out two.
The top of the seventh saw a three-run home run for the Eagles, extending their lead to five runs as the Lakers came up for their final time this game.
Taylor Larson ripped a leadoff home run over the center field fence to start the fight. Pickett followed with a single and Akers came up to rip a double into center to put two runners in scoring position with no outs. Cullinane singled to center again, allowing Pickett to score and cut the deficit to four runs. The next two Lakers would be sat down by the Eagle's pitching and defense, but their rally continued. A two-out single from DuChateau scored Akers and Miller followed with a single of her own to score Cullinane. Christians took a walk to load the bases and keep the pressure on, but the Eagle's pitching came through to shut down the threat.
The Laker's offense was led by Kaitlyn DuChateau and Karlee Akers, who each went 2-3. Six other Lakers tallied hits, and DuChateau, Miller, Larson, and Cullinane would rally the RBIs for the Lakers. Pickett suffered the loss for the Lakers, pitching 5.0 innings, allowing eight hits and five runs while striking out five. Elkins threw the remaining 2.0 innings, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out three.
GAME 2: 0 (ILCC), 19 (KCC), 5 innings
Game two saw the Eagles come out with fire. They scored 12 runs in the first innings on ten hits. They took advantage of two Laker errors and were granted three walks as well. The Lakers took two walks of their own in the bottom of the first thanks to DuChateau and Larson.
The Eagle's bats stayed warm in the top of the second, scoring two more. The Lakers pushed back in their half of the second, with Cullinane reaching first on a one-out error from the Eagles. Bode followed with a walk to put runners on first and second. Burgess singled to load the bases, but the threat was shut down by the Eagle's defense.
The Laker offense was quiet in their half of the third inning, but never stopped their fight. Bode doubled with two outs in the bottom of the fourth and a single from Burgess put runners on the corners. The fight was shut down again, stranding the two on their bases.
Kirkwood continued to press the gas, scoring four in the top of the fifth to extend their lead again. The final three Lakers were put down in the bottom of the fifth.
Game two's offense for the Lakers was led by Brooklyn Bode and Abby Burgess, who went 1-1 with a walk and 2-2 respectively. Taylor Larson took the loss in the circle for the Lakers, pitching 0.1 innings and allowing six hits and six runs. Morgan Fine threw 1.1 innings in the contest, allowing five hits and eight runs while striking out two. Elkins threw in her second game of the day, throwing 3.1 innings and allowing eight hits and five runs.
The Lakers finish up their weekend at home tomorrow against Hawkeye Community College. The game times for the doubleheader are scheduled for 12 & 2 pm.