The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) softball team pushed its current winning streak to eight games by sweeping a doubleheader from Northeast (Neb.) Community College (NENEB) April 1 at Norfolk, Neb.
The Bears, ranked fifth in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II poll, won by scores of 13-0 and 14-2. Neither game went past the fifth inning because of the mercy rule.
The wins give DMACC a 21-4 record and a 4-0 mark in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCA).
Freshman Josie Swafford of Wellston, Okla., pitched a two-hitter and sophomore Katie Wells of Topeka, Kan., and freshman Ally Pickering of Winterset drove in three runs apiece to lead the Bears in the opener.
DMACC took a 4-0 lead in the first, scored four more runs in the second, added another run in the third and closed out the win with four runs in the fifth.
Pickering and sophomores Ellie Dixon of Iowa City and Avery Guy of Cedar Rapids had two hits apiece in the win, including a triple by Pickering. Swafford and freshman Maddie Karr of Center Point each drove in two runs.
Swafford struck out 11 and walked one in improving to 9-1 for the season.
Freshman Dana Dunbar of Chadron, Neb., tossed a three-hitter and Wells and Pickering drove in four and three runs respectively for DMACC in the second game.
The Bears led 3-1 after the first inning and 3-2 after two innings. They put the game away with three runs in the third, five in the fourth and three in the fifth.
Sophomore Mia Ruther of Burlington led DMACC batters with three hits, including a double, and Guy, Pickering, Karr, Wells and freshman Elly Schuemann of Marion had two hits apiece. Karr, Schuemann, Wells and freshman Katelin Schumacher of Leawood, Kan., also doubled and Pickering hit a triple.
Dunbar struck out two and walked three in improving to 3-0 for the season.
The DMACC softball team will face Ellsworth Community College (ECC) in a doubleheader today at the DMACC softball diamond. The first game begins at 3 p.m. ECC is 8-11 overall and 0-3 in the ICCAC