March 22, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Laker Softball Splits with Northeast Iowa
The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team split with Northeast Iowa Community College in their conference match up. The Lakers took game one 11-3 in five innings, before dropping game two 3-2. The Lakers are now 20-6 overall and 3-3 in conference.
GAME 1: 11 (ILCC), 3 (NICC) 5 innings
The Lakers wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first inning. After a walk by Kaitlyn DuChateau and a double from Addison Wheeler, Gracie Knobloch delivered a two-run single to give Iowa Lakes an early 2-0 lead.
Northeast Iowa responded in the bottom half of the inning with a two-run home run to even the score at 2-2.
The Lakers quickly regained control in the second, capitalizing on patience at the plate with three walks to load the bases. Wheeler then hit a base clearing double off the fence to give the Lakers a 5-2 lead.
The Lakers continued to build momentum in the third inning. Katie Kvigne led off with a single and then advanced to second on a walk to Macy Pickett. Charli Abernathy then knocked in a run with a single, extending the lead to 6-2.
In the fourth, Iowa Lakes added two more runs. Knobloch singled and then advanced to third on a throwing error on a ground ball off the bat of Karlee Akers. Kvigne came up clutch with a double to center, pushing the advantage to 8-2.
Northeast Iowa managed to get one run back in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run, but that would be all the offense they could muster against Kvigne.
Iowa Lakes put the game out of reach in the fifth inning with a three-run frame. Back-to-back singles from Abernathy and DuChateau and a walk from Wheeler set up a two-run double from Knobloch. Akers added a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring and give the Lakers an 11-3 lead.
Katie Kvigne picked up her twelfth win of the season, allowing three earned runs on four hits and six strikeouts in five innings. Gracie Knobloch led the offensive attack, going 3-3 with four runs batted in. Addison Wheeler was 2-3 with three runs batted in and two runs scored. Katie Kvigne added two runs batted in and Kaitlyn DuChateau scored three times.
GAME 2: 3 (NICC), 2 (ILCC)
After a quiet start offensively, the Lakers began to find momentum midway through the game. Through the first five innings, both teams struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities as strong pitching and defensive plays kept the game scoreless.
Northeast Iowa broke through in the bottom of the fifth inning, taking advantage of timely hitting and a Laker miscue to plate two runs and grab a 2-0 lead.
Iowa Lakes answered in the top of the sixth inning. Kenzie Enter sparked the rally with a bunt single and aggressive baserunning, setting the stage for Korilynn Christians, who delivered the biggest swing of the game with a two-run home run to center field, tying the contest at 2-2.
In the circle, M. Pickett kept the Lakers within striking distance, recording multiple strikeouts and working through traffic in key moments to limit further damage.
The game remained deadlocked heading into the seventh inning. Iowa Lakes threatened in the top half, putting runners on base, but was unable to push across the go-ahead run.
In the bottom of the seventh, Northeast Iowa capitalized on a series of baserunners and pressure plays. A key single to center field drove in the winning run, sealing the 3-2 victory for the home team.
Korilynn Christians was 1-3 in the game with two runs batted in. Macy Pickett suffered the loss, allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits and six walks, while striking out eight.
The Lakers will return home to take on Iowa Central Community College on Wednesday, March 25th at 2:00 and 4:00 PM.
Photo ID: Picture of Addison Wheeler turning a double play 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.