The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team swept #22 North Iowa Area Community College on Tuesday. The Lakers took game one 8-7, before winning game two 4-3. The Lakers are now 26-12 overall and 9-9 in conference.
GAME 1: 8 (ILCC), 7 (NIACC)
The Lakers came out strong offensively, plating three runs in the second inning. Katie Kvigne led off the inning with a single. She then stole second and scored on a Marrissa Miller single. Miller also stole second and then scored on an infield hit from Kenzie Enter. Enter followed suit and stole second, before scoring on Korilynn Christian's single to give the Lakers a 3-0 lead.
In the fifth, the Lakers added two more runs highlighted by a two-run home run from Kvigne, extending their lead and putting pressure on NIACC.
The Trojans plated one run in the top of the sixth on a Laker error and double. The offense for the Lakers continued to produce in their half of the inning, as Enter led off the inning with a single. After stealing second, she was left stranded until Wheeler delivered a two-out single to get the offense started again. Gracie Knobloch quickly followed with a single, advancing Wheeler to second. With Kassidy Elkins in to run for Wheeler, she scored on a groundball off the bat of Karlee Akers that was overthrown at first base. Kvigne came up big for the offense once again, singling to score Knobloch and giving the Lakers an 8-1 lead going into the seventh.
The Trojans mounted a furious comeback in the top of the seventh, stringing together multiple hits and capitalizing on opportunities. A two-run home run highlighted the rally, as the Trojans scored six runs in the inning to pull within one. With runners at second and third with one out, Knobloch got the final two outs with a groundout to Wheeler and a flyout to Christians.
Katie Kvigne led the way for the Lakers both in the box and in the circle. In the circle, Kvigne threw 6.1 innings allowing seven runs, six earned, on eleven hits and one walk, while striking out three. At the plate, Kvigne was 3-4 with three runs batted in and two runs scored. Kenzie Enter, Addison Wheeler, and Marrissa Miller each had two hits in the game. Gracie Knobloch earned the save, allowing just one hit in her appearance.
GAME 2: 4 (ILCC), 3 (NIACC)
NIACC struck first in the opening inning, capitalizing on an error and an RBI single to take an early 1-0 lead. The Lakers quickly responded in the bottom half, as Wheeler, Knobloch, and Akers all singled, allowing the tying run to score and even the game at 1-1.
After several scoreless innings dominated by both defenses, the Lakers broke through again in the fifth. Christians started the rally with a single and advanced to second on a groundball from Wheeler. Knobloch followed with an RBI single to right to give the Lakers a 2-1 advantage.
NIACC answered in the sixth inning, taking advantage of an error and a pair of baserunners to push across a run and tie the game at 2-2.
The Lakers delivered the decisive blow in the bottom of the sixth. After Charli Abernathy worked a two out walk, Christians and Wheeler both singled to score Abernathy. Moments later, Knobloch came through with another RBI single, extending the lead to 4-2.
NIACC threatened in the top of the seventh, manufacturing a run and putting pressure on the Lakers' defense. However, Pickett remained composed in the circle and, getting back-to-back groundouts to herself to end the game and secure the 4-3 victory.
Macy Pickett earned the win, allowing three runs, zero earned, on three hits and three walks, while striking out one. At the plate, Gracie Knobloch was 3-4 with two runs batted in. Korilynn Christians was 2-4 with two runs scored, while Katie Kvigne and Addison Wheeler each added two hits of their own.
The Lakers will play for the third day in a row at Iowa Central Community College on Wednesday, April 8th, at 2:00 and 4:00 PM.
Photo ID: Picture of Katie Kvigne hitting.
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.