COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - Reiver Softball swept Southwestern CC in a three-game ICCAC Region 11 semi-final series.  

Iowa Western (35-17) opened up game one with a pair of runs in the first inning but gave one back in the top half of the 4th as the Spartans cut it to a one-run lead.  IWCC answered with 13 runs in the bottom of the inning as the team sent 17 batters to the plate with all but Catcher Cydnee Schneider recording a hit, who drew a pair of walks in the frame.

Freshman Allie Cromer went 2-3 in the game with a triple and an RBI.  Lead-off hitter Moira Baxter also recorded a pair of hits, plating three runs and a double while stealing her team-leading 44th base of the year.

Sophomore Pitcher Madeline McCall (10-6) tossed five innings, giving up just three hits and one run while striking out 7 Spartan batters to earn the 15-1 victory.

In game two, the Reiver bats started hot. Baxter walked to start the inning, then stole her 45th base of the year, and is two steals away from breaking the all-time IWCC mark for steals in a season. Ella Fitzpatrick followed with a single that scored Baxter after Haley Keller slipped after fielding the ball at second base, allowing the run to come across the plate.  Mattea Martin walked, followed by an RBI single from Cromer.  Schneider singled to load the bases.  Alex Stoner then smashed a 3-run double to right-center field giving IWCC an early 5-0 lead.

The Reivers would add a run in the 2nd, three runs in the 3rd, and another pair of runs in the 4th inning on a solo home run from Cromer and a sacrifice fly from Alex Stoner.  Schneider followed with a triple to break the team record for three-baggers in a season with 23.

Sophomore pitcher Erin Kirkland (8-5) gave up just two hits while striking out 6 batters in 5 innings to get the 11-0 run-rule victory.

Iowa Western advances to the Region 11 finals versus the winner of Southeastern CC and Indian Hills CC on Sunday at noon from the Dr. John and Jean Marshall Softball and Baseball Complex in Council Bluffs.