The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team lost two against a #12 ranked Iowa Central in day one of their last regular season weekend on the road. The final scores were 0-8 in game one and 8-12 in game two. This brings the Lakers to 28-21 overall for the season and 8-12 in conference.
GAME 1: 0 (ILCC), 8 (ICCC), 5 innings
Iowa Central jumped out hard in the bottom of the first with a lead-off home run to put the Tritons up 1-0.
Karlee Akers was able to capitalize on a Triton error in the bottom of the second to reach base. She was stranded there as Iowa Central's defense and pitching were able to retire the next two batters.
The Lakers' defense remained strong in the bottom of the second, despite the lead-off reaching base on an error, followed by a single. Pickett was able to force two flyouts while striking out one.
Kaitlyn DuChateau had a two-out double in the top of the third for the Lakers, but she was stranded there.
The Tritons were able to break open the third inning, scoring four runs on four walks and three singles.
Despite the deficit, the Lakers continued to fight in the fourth. Korilynn Christians reached base on an error by Iowa Central. Akers drove a single into left field to advance Christians to second with one out. The Tritons' defense was able to shut down the threat from the Lakers before they could push one across.
Iowa Central was able to score two more in their half of the fourth on a walk, a double, and two singles.
Brooklyn Bode led off the top of the fifth with a line drive single to left field. Abby Burgess took a hit-by-pitch to put runners on first and second with no outs. The pitching staff was able to retire the next three batters for the Lakers, finishing the game in five.
DuChateau, Bode, and Akers tallied the only hits for the Lakers in game one. Macy Pickett took the loss in the circle for the Lakers, throwing 2.2 innings, allowing six runs and four walks while striking out three. Kassidy Elkins threw the remaining 1.1 innings, allowing five hits, two runs, and one walk while striking out three.
GAME 2: 8 (ILCC), 12 (ICCC)
The scoring for game two started with Taylor Larson in the top of the second inning. Larson led off the second inning with her 21st home run of the season to give the Lakers a 1-0 lead. Bode continued the inning with a one-out single, and Marrissa Miller took advantage of a Triton's error to reach base. Iowa Central shut down the inning with only one run coming across.
The Tritons gained momentum in the bottom of the third, They scored three runs on two singles, a walk, and a triple.
Bailey Smith was able to take her 21st hit-by-pitch of the season to reach base in the top of the fourth. Bode followed by reaching base on an error by the Tritons, but the defense was able to come back for outs two and three unscathed.
The Lakers' defense held strong in the bottom of the fourth, with only one batter reaching on a walk.
Myla Murphy led off the top of the fifth inning with a walk, and a ground out allowed her to reach second. Akers drove another single into left field. With two outs, Larson stepped back up to the plate. With her count being 2-2, she took another ball over the center field fence to score three and give the Lakers a one-run lead.
Iowa Central continued their rally in the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff double. They then scored four runs on a single and three doubles.
Bode started off the top of the sixth with a line drive single to center, and she stole second two pitches later. Miller took a walk to put runners on first and second, and Pickett took a one-out walk to load the bases. DuChateau took a hit-by-pitch to score one. Christians ripped a single into center field that allowed two to score to tie the game back up at 7.
The Tritons kept their bats alive in their half of the sixth. They scored another five runs on three singles, a walk, and a two-run home run.
The Lakers fought hard in the seventh with Smith leading off the inning with her second hit-by-pitch of the game. With two outs, Burgess kept the Lakers alive with a single to left field. Pickett drove a single into center, but was gunned down at second by the center fielder for the third out.
The Lakers had much better bats in game two, seeing eight total hits and eight RBIs. Larson and Bode each had two hits in the game, and Larson led the RBIs for the Lakers with four. Larson started the game in the circle, throwing 4.1 innings. She allowed eight hits, seven runs, seven earned, and two walks while striking out five. Morgan Fine threw 0.2 innings, allowed two hits, two runs, two earned, and one walk. Elkins also threw 0.2 innings and allowed three hits and three runs. Pickett came back in to finish the game, throwing 0.1 innings and allowing one hit.
The Lakers travel to Mason City to take on NIACC for their final regular-season away games. The games are scheduled for 1 & 3 pm.