The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team lost its lone game today in day one of the Regional Tournament. The Lakers suffered the loss at the hands of North Iowa Area Community College, with a final score of 8-10. This brings the Lakers to 30-28 overall for the season.

GAME 1: 8 (ILCC), 10 (NIACC) 

             The Lakers struck first, starting with a single into left from Kaitlyn DuChateau. Taylor Larson drove a ground ball up the middle with one out to advance a runner into scoring position. Macy Pickett stepped up to the plate next and roped a line drive into center for a double that scored DuChateau. A sacrifice fly from Karlee Akers allowed Larson to scamper home for the second run. Pickett was able to advance on a passed ball before Brooklyn Bode drew a two-out walk to put runners on the corners. Marrissa Miller drove a hard line drive to third base that allowed Pickett to score and give the Lakers a 3-0 lead. 

            NIACC fought back in their half of the first, scoring four total runs on a single, a hit-by-pitch, two doubles, and another single. 

            The bats were then quiet for each team, not seeing another score in the game until the bottom of the fourth. The Trojans scored five runs in their half of the fourth on a double, two Laker errors, a walk, two singles, and a sacrifice fly.

            The Lakers didn't take lightly to the Trojans' fight, scoring in the top of the fifth. Myla Murphy started the inning, taking a hit-by-pitch to reach first. DuChateau had her second hit of the game, driving a single up the middle that advanced Murphy to third. Korilynn Christians came up big during her at-bat, putting a three-run shot over the center field fence and bringing the Lakers within three runs.

            The Trojans scored a long run in their half of the fifth on a walk, a sacrifice bunt, a wild pitch, and a single. 

            Christians started the final rally for the Lakers in the top of the seventh, taking advantage of a one-out error by the Trojans to reach base and advance to second. Larson singled again on a hard ground ball to center that allowed Christians to score. Pickett followed with a single of her own to put runners on first and second for the Lakers. Akers was able to single with a ground ball to score Larson for the Lakers' eighth and final run as NIACC's defense was able to lock down the final two outs. 

            DuChateau, Larson, and Pickett each tallied two hits for the Lakers, with all three going 2-4 in the game. Christians tallied a home run as her hit and led the Lakers in RBIs with three. Akers added a hit and tallied another two RBIs for the Lakers. Pickett took the loss in the circle for the Lakers, throwing 3.1 innings, allowing six hits, nine runs, four earned, and one walk while striking out three. Kassidy Elkins threw 0.2 innings in the contest, allowing one hit, one run, one earned, and two walks. Taylor Larson finished the game in the circle, throwing 2.0 innings, allowing two hits, no runs, and two walks while striking out one. 

            The Lakers look to bounce back tomorrow against Hawkeye at noon in game one of the day. If they win, they play again at 4 pm tomorrow evening.