Reivers Season Ends on Sophomore Night

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - The 2023 Reiver Softball season ended on Wednesday night after falling to Southeastern CC in both games of the Region 11 tournament doubleheader.  Iowa Western (23-18) fell to the Blackhawks in game one 4-0 after a 3-run homerun by Kisbel Viscaya in the 2nd inning.  The Reivers struggled to get anything going offensively, managing just a pair of hits in the game.  The team's most significant threat to score came in the 4th inning when Cydnee Schneider and Alex Stoner were hit by a pitch to start the frame.  Mattea Martin would come up with a 1-out single to put runners on second and third, but a strikeout and a groundout to the shortstop ended the threat.

Game two saw the team again go down early when the Blackhawks plated a run in both the first and second innings.  The Reivers would strike back in the bottom of the 2nd after a single by Tahjzha Botts and an RBI single from Martin cut into the Southeastern lead.  The visitors would plate a third run in the 5th inning on back-to-back singles, a passed ball, and a sacrifice fly.  Iowa Western tacked on one more with Martin coming up with another RBI single in the 6th inning.  The Reivers would have a chance to tie the game in the final frame after a walk and a single put runners on first and third with one out.  A popup to the infield and a groundout gave Southeastern the victory, 3-2.

The Blackhawks (25-17) advance to the Region 11 finals vs Indian Hills on Sunday.

Following the games, Iowa Western honored the three sophomores on this year's team.  Allie Boles, Tahjzha Botts, and Olivia Kyes were all recognized for their efforts at IWCC with Kyes being the lone returner from last season's squad.  "On behalf of the coaching staff here at Iowa Western, we would like to thank our sophomores for their commitment and leadership this year. The way you all have handled the incredible amount of adversity that has been thrown at you the last year is admirable, to say the least," said Head Coach Heidi Jordan and Coach Allyne Clark."   

"Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. Though our time together has been short, that doesn't diminish the impact you've had on this program and our lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, and we cannot wait to see what is next for you all."

The team also recognized freshman Erin Gunn who is leaving for Peru for 18 months to complete her mission trip.  The program expects to have almost the entire freshman class back for next season and looks to regroup for the 2024 season.