• Highland CC used six-run fifth inning to top Bears, 8-4
• DMACC scores on an error in the sixth inning to top Oakland CC, 4-3
• Bears will face Parkland College in elimination game today

Freshman Zoey Wright of Ottumwa opened the sixth inning with a double and scored on a two-out error as the DMACC softball team defeated Oakland Community College (OCC), 4-3, in an elimination game in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Softball Championship May 26 at Oxford, Ala.

Earlier in the day Highland Community College (HCC) erupted for six runs in the fifth inning to hand the Bears an 8-4 loss, sending DMACC to the elimination bracket.

The Bears, 51-13 and seeded fourth, will face Parkland College (PC) in an elimination game today at 4 p.m. PC, seeded eighth, is 51-8.

OCC scored in the top of the third to lead DMACC 1-0 but the Bears got a two-run double from freshman Haley Forret of Van Meter in the bottom of the inning to go up 2-1. Freshman Abby Husak of Polk City opened the inning with an infield single and freshman Delaney Kelley of Rock Island, Ill., singled up the middle, sending Husak to third and setting the stage for Forret who doubled down the right field line.

OCC responded with two runs in the top of the fourth and DMACC answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to knot the score at 3-3. Wright did the honors again, opening the inning with a base on balls and moving to third on a single by freshman Sophie Maras of Johnston. Kelley then hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Wright with the tying run.

Forret sparked the DMACC offense with a pair of base hits and two RBIs. Freshman Abby Flanagan of Coggon pitched the first four innings for DMACC, allowing three runs on five hits. She struck out three and walked two. Freshman Alexis Lander of Onawa went three innings and improved to 18-4 with the win. She allowed one hit and struck out one batter.

The Bears scored four runs in the top of the first against HCC, but the Scotties chipped away with single runs in the third and fourth innings before sending 11 batters to the plate and scoring six runs in the top of the fifth.

Maras started DMACC's first-inning rally with a base on balls and promptly stole second base. Husak reached on an infield single and Kelley singled up the middle to load the bases. Maras scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman Kaylie Reynolds of Muscatine with Husak and freshman Isabella Johnson of Slater, pinch running for Kelley, moving to third and second respectively on the play. Freshman Jada Collins of Des Moines followed with a single to center, scoring Husak and sending Johnson to third. Johnson then came home on Forret's infield grounder and freshman Julia Merfeld of Clear Lake, running for Collins, scored on a triple by freshman Sami Miller of Mason City.

Husak led DMACC at the plate with three hits. Lander pitched two and a third innings before giving way to Flanagan who went two innings before Lander returned to the mound. Lander went five total innings, allowing one run on two hits. She struck out four and walked four. Flanagan, who fell to 20-5 with the loss, gave up seven runs on six hits, struck out three and walked four.