- DMACC sweeps Hawkeye CC, 10-5 and 10-1
- Bears top No. 17 Iowa Central CC, 12-3, lose the second game, 3-2
- DMACC faces 16th-ranked NIACC on April 16
The DMACC softball team improved to 38-5 overall and 14-2 in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) after sweeping a doubleheader from Hawkeye Community College (HCC) April 12 at Waterloo and splitting a doubleheader against Iowa Central Community College (ICCC) April 13 at Fort Dodge.
The Bears, ranked seventh in the Division II poll from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), handed HCC 10-5 and 10-1 losses and beat ICCC 12-3 before dropping a 3-2 decision to the Tritons.
Freshman Ella Husak of Polk City had five singles and freshman Bri Tigges of Urbandale belted a home run and drove in three runs to lead DMACC past HCC in the opener on April 12. The Bears led 2-1 after the first inning and put the game away with four runs in the fourth and two each in the fifth and sixth innings. HCC scored twice in the fifth and twice in the seventh to go with the run it scored in the bottom of the first.
Tigges, sophomores Mia Walker of Fonda and Josie McCuddin of Truro and freshman Morgan Neuroth of LeGrand had two hits apiece and freshmen Macee Reilling of Dallas Center and Reese Burke of Grimes hit doubles. McCuddin drove in a pair of DMACC runs and Husak, Walker, sophomore Delaney Milanowski of Spring Green, Wis., Burke and freshman Mo Purdy of Des Moines drove in one run apiece.
Freshman Kierra Jungers of Fonda pitched the first four and a third innings for the Bears and improved to 18-1 with the win. She allowed three runs on three hits, struck out seven and walked three. Sophomore Ellie Flanagan of Coggon went two and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on two hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
Milanowski and freshman Erin Ades of Boone each homered and drove in three runs to lead DMACC to its win in the second game. The Bears led 2-0 after the first inning and pulled away behind three runs in the third, two in the fourth and two in the sixth. The game was called because of the mercy rule after HCC batted in the bottom of the sixth.
Husak, Tigges and Milanowski had three hits apiece in the win, including a double by Husak, and Reilling added two base hits.
Freshman Brooklyn Baumgardner of Slater went the distance, allowing one run on six hits with five strikeouts and a walk.
Reilling belted a home run and drove in four runs and Tigges and McCuddin also homered in DMACC's win over ICCC in the opener on April 12. The Bears led 4-0 after the first inning, 5-0 after two innings and 5-3 after ICCC scored three runs in the bottom of the third. DMACC put the game away with three runs in the fourth and four in the fifth and it was called because of the mercy rule after ICCC batted in the bottom of the fifth.
Husak continued to be a threat at the plate with four hits and Reilling and Walker had two apiece. Tigges and Walker each drove in two runs.
Freshman Jacki Baas of Bondurant got the win, her 14th against one loss. She went all six innings, surrendering three runs on six hits with two strikeouts.
ICCC pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh to take the second game. Both teams scored two runs in the first and it stayed that way until ICCC scored in the seventh.
Husak accounted for two of DMACC's five hits and Tigges drove in both Bears' runs with a home run.
Jungers pitched the first five innings, allowing two runs on five hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Baumgardner pitched the final two innings and fell to 2-2 with the loss. She allowed one run on one hit and struck out one batter.
The DMACC softball team will face North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) in a doubleheader April 16 at the DMACC softball diamond. The Trojans, ranked 16th in the NJCAA Division II poll, are 25-17 overall and 9-7 in the ICCAC. Their losses include 4-2 and 6-3 decisions against DMACC April 9 at Mason City.