The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team ended their season on day two of the regional tournament in their second game of the day. The Lakers won game one against Hawkeye with a final score of 6-5, but lost game two against NIACC 8-2. The split today brings the Lakers to a final season record of 31-29.
GAME 1: 6 (ILCC), 5 (HCC)
The Hawks were able to strike first, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning on two doubles, a single, a walk, and another double.
Korilynn Christians started the bats for the Lakers in the bottom of the first with a one-out bunt-for-a-hit. Hawkeye was able to shut down the side, retiring the next two batters.
Macy Pickett came back strong in the circle for the Lakers, striking out the leadoff hitter for the Hawks and forcing the next two into groundouts.
The Lakers were able to chip away at the deficit in their half of the second, starting with a Karlee Akers single. The Hawks' catcher was able to gun down Akers on an attempted steal, but Brooklyn Bode was able to pick her up by driving a triple down the first base line. A one-out double from Marrissa Miller allowed Bode to scurry home and cut down the deficit to two runs. A two-out single from Myla Murphy advanced Miller, but the Hawks would shut down the side by getting out number three.
Hawkeye scored another two runs in the top of the third on two singles, a double, and a Laker error.
Bode started off the fourth inning with a one-out single into right center, and Miller laid down a bunt to put two runners on for the Lakers. Bode advanced to third after tagging up on a fly ball from Abby Burgess and scored on a defensive error from the Hawks.
Christians led off the Lakers' half of the fifth with a single into left field. Larson drove her 24th home run of the season over the left field fence to score two and bring the Lakers within one run of the Hawks. Larson locked down the defense for the Lakers, throwing two strikeouts and forcing the third out into a fly ball.
The Lakers' offense was led off by Bode again, who drew a walk to reach base. Miller laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Bode to third. A single from Burgess put two runners on, and a single from Kaitlyn DuChateau allowed the tying run to score. Christians had her third hit of the game to score the sixth run for the Lakers.
Larson locked down the top of the seventh, throwing just three pitches in the inning to finish the game.
Bode and Miller led the game, going 2-2 with Bode tallying two of the runs for the Lakers. Christians followed going 3-4 with one run and one RBI, while Larson tallied two RBIs on her home run. Pickett started the game in the circle for the Lakers, throwing 4.1 innings, allowing seven hits, five runs, four earned, and one walk while striking out one. Larson earned the win in the circle, throwing the remaining 2.2 innings, allowing one hit, no runs, and no walks while striking out two.
Game 2: 2 (ILCC), 8 (NIACC)
DuChateau started hot for the Lakers with a single, but she would be left on base as NIACC's defense retired the side.
The Trojans were able to strike first, scoring one run on two doubles. They were able to extend their lead in the second with a three-run home run to put them up 4-0.
The Lakers fought back in the top of the third on a two-out DuChateau solo home run.
NIACC was able to score back the run and tallied one more in their half of the third as they brought the score to 6-1. Despite the Lakers barreling balls in the fourth and the fifth, the Trojans' defense was able to lock it down and allow zero runs.
Pickett was able to relieve the Laker defense and throw around NIACC's bats in the fourth and fifth. Christians was able to take advantage of a Trojan error in the top of the sixth to reach base while Larson drew a walk to follow. Karlee Akers drove a single into left that scored one for the Lakers.
The Trojans were able to load the bases in the sixth, but only scored two as the Lakers were able to limit the damage.
Abby Burgess drew a one-out walk in the top of the seventh and Murphy poked a ball into left for a single, but the Lakers were unable to complete the rally.
DuChateau tallied two hits for the Lakers, going 2-4 in game two. Akers and Murphy also both tallied single hits for the Lakers. Larson earned the loss in the circle, throwing 2.2 innings, allowing eight hits, six runs, and six earned runs while striking out one. Pickett was relief for the game, throwing the remaining 3.1 innings, allowing one hit, two runs, zero earned, and one walk.