• DMACC runs its winning streak to 10 consecutive games
• Bears score in double digits in three of the four games
• Sophomore Sydney Kennedy picks up two wins

The DMACC softball team opened play in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) and ran its winning streak to ten consecutive games by sweeping a four-game series against Northeast (Neb.) Community College (NECC) March 20 and 21 at Norfolk, Neb.

The Bears scored in double digits in winning both games on March, 21, 10-0 and 10-2. They added another double-digit win in the opener on March 22, 11-1, and narrowly escaped with a 2-1 win in the second game.

The wins give DMACC a 19-3 record overall and a 4-0 mark in the ICCAC. They are ranked third in this week's Division II poll from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

Sophomore Sydney Kennedy of Peosta allowed just one hit and struck out 12 in pitching the Bears to the win in the opener on March 20. She improved to 7-2 with the victory.

Sophomore Maddy Kearns of Glenpool, Okla., and freshman Amaya Snyder of Cedar Rapids had two hits apiece, including a double and a home run by Snyder, and Kearns and Kennedy drove in two runs apiece. The Bears scored two runs in the first inning, four in the third and two each in the fourth and fifth innings. The game was called because of the mercy rule after NECC batted in the bottom of the fifth. Kearns' and Kennedy's hits included one double apiece.

Sophomore Emily Ades of Boone hit two home runs and sophomore Kendal Clark of Humboldt also homered in DMACC's win in the nightcap. The Bears took a 1-0 lead in the first, added single runs in the third and fourth innings and put the game out of reach with three runs in the fifth and four in the sixth. NECC scored both of its runs in the bottom of the second and the game was called because of the mercy rule after the Hawks batted in the sixth.

Snyder helped DMACC's cause with three hits, including a double, Kennedy homered and doubled and Clark and Kearns each doubled. Freshman Madisyn Kelley of Nora Springs contributed two hits and drove in two runs.

Freshman Courtney Donahue of Marshfield, Wis., stayed unbeaten at 5-0 behind a four-hitter. She struck out 10 and walked two.

Kennedy went 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs in DMACC's win in the opener on March 22. The Bears trailed 1-0 after one inning but got the win behind three runs in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth and five in the fifth. The game was called because of the mercy rule after NECC batted in the bottom of the fifth.

Freshman Hannah Ironside of Swisher contributed two hits and three RBIs to the victory and freshman Ceara Swanson of Lincoln, Neb., homered and drove in two runs. Freshman Bailey Donohoe of West Branch also had a pair of RBIs and Snyder and sophomore Kaylynn Salyars of Muscatine each doubled.

Kennedy improved to 8-2 with the win. She went four innings, allowing one run on two hits and striking out eight. Freshman Grace Bailey of Hamilton pitched one inning and struck out one batter.

DMACC scored one run in each of the first two innings in winning the final game of the series. NECC tallied its lone run in the bottom of the third.

The Bears were limited to just two hits, doubles by Ironside and freshman Elle Nelson of Grimes. Ironside drove in one DMACC run and Clark had the other RBI.

Freshman Kinsley Robertson of Tiffin saw her record improve to 5-1 with the win. She threw four innings, allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Freshman Lauryn Foudree of West Des Moines allowed one hit and walked one batter in one inning in the circle and Bailey notched her third save of the season after pitching the final two innings.