The Iowa Lakes Community College Softball team earned a sweep over Cloud County Community College. They took game one 6-3 in eight innings before winning game two 8-3. The Lakers are now 6-2 overall on the season.
GAME 1: 6 (ILCC), 3 (CCCC) 8 innings
The Iowa Lakes Community College Lakers used a late offensive surge and steady pitching to secure a hard-fought 6-3 victory over Cloud County Community College in non-conference action.
After a scoreless opening frame, the Lakers broke through in the top of the third inning. Kaitlyn DuChateau started the rally with a single, and Korilynn Christians followed with a double to left to plate the game's first run. Addison Wheeler kept the momentum going with a double of her own to advance Christians to third. Gracie Knobloch added a sacrifice fly to score Christians. Karlee Akers walked and Macy Pickett singled to load up the bases. Katie Kvigne then hit into a fielder's choice to score a run as Iowa Lakes built a 3-0 advantage.
The score remained 3-0 until Cloud County answered in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a double and a run-scoring single to trim the deficit to 3-1. The Thunderbirds later took advantage of defensive miscues in the seventh, plating two runs to even the score at 3-3 and shift the pressure back to the Lakers heading into the extra innings.
Iowa Lakes responded in championship fashion in the top of the eighth. Charli Abernathy reached base on a walk and stole second. Christians delivered a clutch RBI single to give the Lakers the lead. Knobloch then walked. Moments later, Akers broke the game open with a two-run triple to right field, extending the advantage to 6-3.
In the circle, Kvigne was steady throughout, recording multiple strikeouts and working through early traffic. The defense tightened in the bottom half of the eighth, highlighted by strong plays in the outfield from Leah Bode and Christians. Kvigne sealed the win with a swinging strikeout to end the game.
Katie Kvigne picked up her third win of the weekend, throwing all eight innings. She allowed three runs, one earned, on six hits, three walks, and six strikeouts. Korilynn Christians led the offense, coming up with two clutch hits, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Karlee Akers added two RBIs, while Kaitlyn DuChateau and Addison Wheeler each had two hits in the game.
GAME 2: 8 (ILCC), 3 (CCCC)
The Iowa Lakes Community College Lakers continued their dominant start to the season, defeating Cloud County Community College 8-3.
After quiet opening innings, the Lakers broke through in the fourth. Capitalizing on an error and aggressive base running, Iowa Lakes plated three runs in the frame. Akers reached second to lead off the inning on a Cloud County error. Kvigne then drew a walk, before both runner advanced sixty feet on a stolen base. Kenzie Enter delivered an RBI single, Abernathy added a run-scoring groundout, and DuChateau reached on a dropped third strike that allowed another run to cross, giving the Lakers a 3-0 advantage.
Iowa Lakes added insurance in the fifth. Wheeler led off the inning by being hit by a pitch. Knobloch then laced a double to center before Akers walked to load the bases. With one out, Miller hit an RBI single, and a bases-loaded walk to Abernathy pushed the lead to 5-0.
Cloud County answered in the bottom half of the fifth, using three consecutive singles to plate a pair of runs and cut the deficit to 5-2. However, the Lakers responded immediately in the sixth. Knobloch sparked the rally with a triple to right field to score Wheeler who had singled, extending the lead to 6-2.
The decisive push came in the top of the seventh. Enter singled and then stole second, before advancing to third on a single off the bat of Abernathy. DuChateau drove in a run with a base hit to left, and Wheeler ripped a double to center to bring home another, stretching the advantage to 8-2.
In the circle, Knobloch set the tone early, striking out multiple batters and working efficiently through traffic. Elkins provided relief late as the Lakers closed out the victory. Defensively, Iowa Lakes turned a key double play in the seventh inning to halt a potential Cloud County rally and preserve control of the game.
At the plate, Addison Wheeler was 3-4 with two runs scored and one RBI. Kenzie Enter was 2-3 with a walk and two runs scored, while Gracie Knobloch, Kaitlyn DuChateau, and Marrissa Miller each added two hits in the game. Gracie Knobloch also picked up her first win of the season, throwing 6.1 innings. She allowed three earned runs on eight hits and one walk, while striking out seven. Kassidy Elkins came in for relief, throwing .2 innings and not allowing a run or a hit.
Iowa Lakes will travel to Florida to play ten games in the sunshine. Their first game will be Wednesday, March 4th at 12:00 PM and 2:15 PM central time. They will take on Grand Rapids Community College and then Jackson College.
Photo ID: Picture of Iowa Lakes softball team 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.