Softball sweeps at home over Southeast

Iowa Western swept another home series this weekend.

The home team took the field game one and started with a three-up-three-down inning. Iowa Western threatened on the bases in the first inning but was unable to manufacture a run.

The second inning was a similar story for Southeast with pitcher Sydney Reamer and the defense shutting down the next three batters. Iowa Western gained another hit in the second inning but was unable to score.

Southeast was the first team to score on the day. In the top of the third, the Storm were able to produce five runs on four hits and two errors. The Reivers responded with a double by Lily Gregory. The double was followed with a single from shortstop Tyla Lee that scored Gregory. Reamer would continue the momentum by reaching first on a single. Lee scored when Alyssa Maldonado hit a fielder's choice. Going into the fourth inning, Iowa Western trailed  5-2.

The Reivers had another quick half inning defensively with two strikeouts from Sydney Reamer and a flyout to center field.  Once back at the plate, Freshman Cassiddy Beeby and Logon Brown were able to reach base on errors to start the inning. Slapper Carlie Benes reached first on a single loading the bases for Gregory. Gregory hit a line-drive single scoring one run. With bases still loaded, Lee launched a ball over the fence for a grand slam to clear the bases. Reamer followed her with a solo homerun of her own and Iowa Western would plate 11 total runs in the inning.  After a 1-2-3 top of the 5th, the Reivers completed the run rule.

In game two Iowa Western shut-out the Storm. Starting pitcher Michaela Epp and the defense started off hot with another three- up-three-down inning. Freshman Natalie Gunn led off game two by beating out a ground ball to the second baseman. Gregory followed by hitting her eighth triple of the season that scored Gunn. Lee hit a ground ball that scored Gregory. Reamer reached base with a single. Later in the inning Kim hit a double scoring another run for the home squad. Iowa Western ended the first with a 3-0 lead over the Storm.

In the top of the second Iowa Western sat down three in a row and returned to their dugout to hit. Southeast gained two quick outs, but followed with back to back errors to allow runners to be in scoring position. Lee capitalized on the situation and hit a double in the gap scoring another run for the Reivers. The hot bat of Reamer followed with another double that scored two more runs which made the Reiver lead 6-0.  

The Storm recorded their first hits for game two with back to back singles in the third inning. Epp was able to get a ground ball and two flyouts to end the inning.

Kim led off the third inning with a stand-up double. Catcher Allison O'Driscoll followed by hitting a single. Pinch-hitter Kayla Plowman entered the game and was able to ground out to score the pinch runner Benes.

Another three-up-three-down inning allowed Iowa Western to get back to the sticks for the fourth inning where they would plate six more runs.

In the fith and final inning, Freshman Avery Doucet came into pitch and worked a perfcet inning.

Player highlights of the day:

Sydney Reamer: 9 strikeouts, 6-7 at the plate, one home run, 5 RBI's

Lily Gregory:  4-5 at the plate, 2 walks, 2 RBI's

Tyla Lee:  5-7 at the plate, one home run, 9 RBI's