The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team splits with Cloud County Community College. The Lakers were strong behind Katie Kvigne's pitching, winning game one 9-5. The Lakers then dropped a heart breaker in game two 9-8. The Lakers are now 4-2 on the season.
GAME 1: 9 (ILCC), 5 (CCCC)
The Iowa Lakes Community College Lakers used an explosive early offensive surge and strong pitching down the stretch to secure a 9-5 victory over Cloud County Community College.
The Lakers wasted no time setting the tone in the top of the first inning. Kaitlyn DuChateau ignited the offense with a triple to right field, and Korilynn Christians followed with a bunt single to plate the game's first run. Christians later came around to score on a dropped third strike and throwing error, giving Iowa Lakes a quick 2-0 advantage.
Iowa Lakes broke the game open in the second inning, plating four runs to extend the lead to 6-0. Charli Abernathy delivered an RBI single to score Marrissa Miller, and DuChateau reached on a single that led to another run crossing the plate on a defensive miscue. Addison Wheeler then laced a two-run double to center field, bringing home DuChateau and Christians who had reached on a walk.
Cloud County answered in the bottom half of the second with a two-run home run and added one run in both the third and fourth innings to trim the deficit to 6-4.
The Lakers responded in the top of the fifth. After Christians worked a walk, she stole second and aggressively advanced to third on passed balls, Wheeler delivered again with an RBI single to push the lead to 7-4.
In the sixth inning, Iowa Lakes' offense was retired in order, but the defense and pitching took center stage. Kvigne was dominant in the circle, striking out the side across key stretches and shutting down Cloud County's momentum. She recorded multiple strikeouts in the sixth inning, finishing strong to protect the lead.
The Lakers added valuable insurance in the seventh. Gracie Knobloch sparked the rally with a triple to center, and Karlee Akers followed with an RBI single to extend the advantage. Iowa Lakes' defense then closed the door in the bottom half, highlighted by a groundout to third baseman DuChateau and first baseman Knobloch to seal the 9-5 win.
Addison Wheeler led the Lakers, going 2-4 at the plate with three runs batted in. Korilynn Christians also added two hits and two walks, while scoring four runs. In the circle, Katie Kvigne remained perfect, becoming 3-0 on the season. She threw all seven innings. She allowed five earned runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out seven.
GAME 2: 9 (CCCC), 8 (ILCC)
The Iowa Lakes Community College Lakers saw an early five-run cushion slip away, falling 9-8 to Cloud County Community College in a back-and-forth contest.
Iowa Lakes came out swinging in the top of the first inning. DuChateau reached on a single and advanced to third on a passed ball and ground out from Wheeler. An RBI single from Knobloch plated the Lakers first run of the game. Two consecutive singles from Akers and Kvigne allowed Knobloch to score to take a 2-0 lead.
The offense stayed hot in the second. Abernathy singled and then stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball, before scoring on a Duchateau RBI triple. Christians added a sacrifice fly to clear the bases and put the Lakers up 4-0. Wheeler continued the rally singling and then scored on a double from Akers.
Cloud County responded in dramatic fashion in the third inning. A grand slam ignited a five-run frame, tying the game at 5-5 and shifting the momentum to the T-birds.
The Lakers briefly regained control in the fourth. DuChateau singled and later came around to score on a fielder's choice from Wheeler to push Iowa Lakes back in front, 6-5.
In the fifth, the Lakers added two more runs. Miller doubled to center and Leah Bode walked. Abernathy and DuChateau both delivered RBI singles to stretch the lead to 8-5.
Cloud County took the lead in the bottom of the sixth, capitalizing on a series of defensive miscues. Multiple errors allowed key runs to cross the plate as the T-Birds rallied for four runs in the inning to take their first lead of the game at 9-8.
Iowa Lakes threatened in the top of the seventh. DuChateau worked a walk to put the tying run aboard, but a fly out and groundout ended the comeback bid.
Offensively, Kaitlyn DuChateau was 4-4 with three runs scored and two runs batted in. Five Lakers had a multi-hit game, Gracie Knobloch, Katie Kvigne, Karlee Akers, Charli Abernathy, and Marrissa Miller. Morgan Fine took the loss for the Lakers, throwing 5.1 innings. She allowed eight runs, five earned on seven hits and three walks while striking out five. Gracie Knobloch pitched .2 innings allowing one run, zero earned on one walk.
The Lakers will play their final two games of the weekend tomorrow against Cloud County Community College at 1 & 3 PM.
Photo ID: Picture of Marrissa Miller attached.
MEDIA: For more information, please contact Head Softball Coach, Katie King at (712) 362-8367 or the Iowa Lakes sports information office at (712) 362-7928.