The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team earned a sweep over conference foe, Central Community College on Wednesday afternoon. The Lakers took game one 6-2 before following that up with a 9-3 victory. The Lakers are now 15-17 in conference and 32-20 overall.
GAME 1: 6 (ILCC), 2 (CCC)
After a quiet start from both teams, the Raiders scored one run in the top of the third on a walk and hit. The Lakers' offense broke through and took the lead in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs. Marrissa Miller and Kenzie Enter both drew walks and then advanced with a stolen base. Addison Wheeler then doubled to left center, scoring two. Wheeler then scored one pitch later when Korilynn Christians doubled as well.
The Lakers continued to apply pressure in the fourth inning, adding three more runs. Katie Kvigne led off the inning with a walk and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Macy Pickett. Miller followed with a single, advancing Kvigne to third. Enter then scored Kvigne on a fielder's choice where all runners were safe. Wheeler again delivered a two run single, giving the Lakers a 6-1 lead.
Central answered with a run in the top of the fifth, capitalizing on a steal of home during a strikeout sequence to cut the deficit to 6-2. However, that would be as close as they would get.
The Lakers closed out the game efficiently, retiring Central in order in the seventh inning on a fly out to Enter, strikeout from Kvigne, and groundout to Enter to secure the 6-2 win.
Addison Wheeler led the Lakers at the plate, going 2-4 with four runs batted in and one run scored. Korilynn Christians also added two hits in the game, while Marrissa Miller and Kenzie Enter each scored two times. Katie Kvigne earned the win, throwing all seven innings. She allowed two earned runs on three hits and four walks, while striking out seven.
GAME 2: 9 (ILCC), 3 (CCC)
The Lakers struck first in the bottom of the second inning when Kvigne reached on a one out double. Pickett advanced Kvigne sixty feet with a single to right. Pickett then got herself into scoring position with a stolen base, before Miller delivered a double to give the Lakers a 2-0 lead.
Central answered in the third inning, plating a run on two hits, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The Raiders continued to apply pressure and briefly tied the game in the fourth inning, capitalizing on timely hits and an error to make it 2-2. The visitors added another run in the fifth to take a short-lived 3-2 lead.
Iowa Lakes responded in emphatic fashion in the bottom half of the fifth inning with a seven-run outburst. Christians led the offense with a single and stolen base. Gracie Knobloch then lined a ball to left center, scoring Christians and tying the game. Karlee Akers quickly followed suit with a double to left to give the Lakers back the lead. Akers took advantage of two passed balls to score. With Pickett and Miller both walking, the offense was not done. Enter singled up the middle to load up the bases. Kassidy Elkins entered the game as a pinch hitter and delivered the biggest hit of the game with a two-out grand slam over the left field fence. This gave the Lakers the 9-3 lead.
After a leadoff walk in the top of the sixth, Morgan Fine entered into the circle in relief and shut down Central over the final innings. She saw six batters and sat them down in order on four groundouts, one fly out, and a strikeout.
Korilynn Christians was 3-4 at the plate. Macy Pickett and Marrissa Miller were each 2-3, while Kassidy Elkins drove in four runs on her grand slam. Macy Pickett earned the win, allowing three runs, two earned, in five innings. She allowed eight hits and two walks, while striking out three. Morgan Fine did not allow a hit in her two innings of work, while striking out one.
The Lakers will play their final two games of the season this weekend. Saturday, April 25th, they will take on Northeast Iowa Community College at 1:00 and 3:00 PM. Saturday is both kids day and sophomore day. Then on Sunday, April 26th, the Lakers will take on Hawkeye Community College at 1:00 and 3:00 PM. Sunday will be both kids day and alumni day.
Photo ID: Picture of Addison Wheeler making play on runner attempting to steal 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.