• DMACC records wins against Triton College, Gordon State College and Seminole State College of Florida
• Bears lose to Jones College and Illinois Central College
• DMACC will play in Wabash Valley Bash March 10 to 12

The DMACC softball team stands 7-2 for the season after going 3-2 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Leadoff Classic March 3 and 4 at Columbus, Ga.

The Bears, ranked second in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II poll, opened tournament play with a loss to eight-ranked Jones College (JC), then defeated Triton College (TC), Gordon State College (GSC) and Seminole State College of Florida (SSCF) before losing to Illinois Central College (ICC) in their final tournament game.

JC used a five-run rally in the top of the sixth to come away with a 6-2 win over the Bears on March 3. The Bobcats led 1-0 before the rally to carry a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth where DMACC scored both of its runs.

Freshman Amaya Snyder of Cedar Rapids accounted for both of DMACC's runs with a two-run home run. The Bears were limited to just four hits in the game. In addition to Snyder's home run, sophomores Kaylynn Salyars of Muscatine and Sydney Kennedy of Peosta and freshman Kelsey Palmer of Cedar Rapids each singled.

Kennedy pitched the first five and two-thirds innings and fell to 2-1 with the loss. She allowed six runs on six hits, struck out seven and walked three. Freshman Courtney Donahue of Marshfield, Wis., pitched an inning and a third, striking out two batters and walking one.

Freshman Kinsley Robertson of Tiffin pitched a one-hitter and DMACC needed just five innings to dispose of TC, 10-0, in the Bears' second game on March 3. DMACC scored five runs in the first and added five more in the third. The Bears had four hits in the win with sophomore Maddy Kearns of Glenpool, Okla., Snyder and freshman Campbell Kelley of Rock Island, Ill., getting doubles and Palmer getting a single.

Robertson struck out four batters and did not issue a walk in winning her first decision of the season.

Kennedy went 3-for-3 with a home run and three runs batted in as DMACC came away with a 7-5 win over GSC in the Bears' opener on March 4. GSC led 2-0 after the first inning but DMACC answered with a run in the top of the second and three in the top of the third for a 4-2 lead. The Bears pushed their advantage to 5-2 with a run in the top of the fifth and closed out the win with two runs in the top of the sixth. GSC scored its other three runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Kearns and Snyder joined Kennedy with multiple hits in the win with both getting a double and a single. Kearns, Salyars and freshman Elle Nelson of Grimes drove in one run apiece.

Donahue pitched the first five innings, allowing five runs on five hits. She struck out four batters and walked three and improved to 2-0 with the win. Freshman Grace Bailey of Hamilton threw one inning and allowed one hit.

Snyder drove in DMACC's only run as the Bears came away with a 1-0 decision against SSCF in their second game on March 4. Snyder, Kearns and Palmer each singled in the win and freshman Hannah Ironside of Swisher tallied the Bears lone run after reaching base on a walk in the third inning.

Kennedy ran her record to 3-1 with the win. She pitched all seven innings, allowing three hits, striking out six and walking two.

Freshman Ceara Swanson of Lincoln, Neb., hit a solo home run and Kennedy had three singles and an RBI in DMACC's 3-2 loss to ICC in the Bears' final game on March 4.

ICC scored twice in the third and once in the fifth and DMACC scored single runs in the fifth and seventh innings.

Salyars and Kelley joined Kennedy with multiple hits as each recorded two singles.

Robertson pitched the first five innings and fell to 2-1 with the loss. She allowed three runs on six hits, struck out two and walked one. Donahue allowed two hits, struck out two and walked two in one inning in the circle and Bailey threw an inning and struck out one batter.

The DMACC softball team will play in the Wabash Valley Bash March 10 to 12 in Evansville, Ind. The Bears will face Danville Area Community College (DACC) and Kankakee Community College (KCC) on March 10. They will play Three Rivers Community College and Highland (Ill.) Community College (HCC) on March 11 and will play Rock Valley College (RVC) and Jefferson College (JC) on March 12.