The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team dropped two games to #22 North Iowa Area Community College. The Lakers lost game one 7-2 and then lost game two 12-7. The Lakers are now 26-16 overall and 9-13 in conference.
GAME 1: 7 (NIACC), 2 (ILCC)
NIACC struck first in the opening inning, using a leadoff double and a two out single to plate one. The Trojans extended their lead, scoring four runs in the second on three hits and two walks.
The Lakers responded in the top of the third inning with their most productive frame of the game. With two outs, Addison Wheeler singled and advanced to second on a Korilynn Christians walk. Gracie Knobloch followed with a walk to load the bases, before Karlee Akers delivered a key two run RBI single to center to cut into the deficit.
Despite the offensive push, NIACC answered again in the bottom half of the fourth inning. The Trojans strung together four hits, including a double and multiple singles, to extend their lead and maintain control of the game and give themselves a 7-2 lead.
Korilynn Christians and Addison Wheeler each delivered two hits in the game, while Karlee Akers drove in two runs for the Lakers. Katie Kvigne suffered the loss, throwing 3.1 innings. She allowed seven earned runs on ten hits and three walks, while striking out two. Gracie Knobloch threw 2.2 innings, allowing two hits and one walk, while striking out three.
GAME 2: 12 (NIACC), 7 (ILCC)
The Lakers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Wheeler drew a leadoff walk and then advanced to second on a single from Christians. Knobloch then singled to right to score Wheeler. Akers loaded the bases with a walk to bring up Kvigne, who delivered an RBI fielder's choice to give the Lakers a 2-0 lead.
NIACC answered in the second inning, taking advantage on an extra base hit and a Laker error to even the score.
Iowa Lakes responded in the top of the third with a strong rally of their own. Akers led off the inning with a groundball single to left. Akers then advanced to second on a Kvigne walk. A fielder's choice caught Kvigne out at second to put runners on the corners. Leah Bode then executed a squeeze to score Akers and give the Lakers a 3-1 lead. Kenzie Enter wasn't done, hitting and infield single to score Miller and extend the Lakers lead.
The Trojans erupted in the bottom of the third, putting up five runs. They did this on three hits, three walks, a hit by pitch, and two fielder's choices.
The Lakers continued to battle in the fourth inning, putting together another scoring surge. Wheeler and Christians led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Akers then drew a walk to load the bases, before Kvigne delivered a single. Marrissa Miller followed with an RBI single of her own to tie the game at 6-6.
However, NIACC regained momentum in the bottom half of the fourth, capitalizing on walks, a wild pitch, and a two-run single to retake the lead. The Trojans added to their advantage in the sixth inning, using a combination of hits and a Laker error to extend the lead to 12-6.
Iowa Lakes mounted one final push in the seventh inning. After Enter singled, she advanced to second on a groundout. Christians then stepped in a roped a double to right center to score the Lakers final run of the game.
Korilynn Christians led the Lakers at the plate, going 3-5 with two runs scored. Graice Knobloch, Kenzie Enter, and Addison Wheeler each added two hits at the plate, while Katie Kvigne added two runs batted in. Macy Pickett suffered the loss for the Lakers, throwing three innings. She allowed seven runs, six earned, on five hits and five walks, while striking out one. Morgan Fine threw three innings as well. She allowed five runs, two earned, on five hits and three walks, while striking out two.
The Lakers will look to bounce back when they take on Ellsworth Community College on Monday, April 13th. Games times are 12:00 and 2:00 PM.
Photo ID: Picture of Korilynn Christians 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.