Dominant Pitching Earns Reivers Four Game Sweep Over NIACC

Mason City, IA

Iowa Western grabbed all four games from NIACC on the road this weekend. On Saturday the Reivers won both games, 2-1. On Sunday, winning 5-1 and 8-1.

Saturday was a pair of exciting games. The Reivers went down 1-0 in the second inning but would rally back to tie the game in the fifth when Myla Beckstrom doubled to start the inning and Kennedy Walls would bring her home with a clutch two out single to know the game 1-1. In the top of the seventh, Aujenai Gregory tripled and a squeeze bunt from Myla Beckstrom scored Gregory to give IWCC the 2-1 advantage. That would be all Brook Melnychuk would need in the circle, striking out two more in the bottom half before getting a ground ball out to end the game. Melnychuk would throw all seven innings, striking out 13 while scattering three hits and allowing one earned run.

In game two, the Reivers scored first when Kennedy Walls singled in the fourth. Darci Wagner came in as a pinch runner and stole second base. Katriana Bain would then drive her in with a double to give IWCC a 1-0 lead. NIACC hit a solo homerun in the sixth to tie the game at one apiece. Things would get very interesting in the bottom of the seventh still tied 1-1. After getting a lead off fly out, Iowa Western surrendered a triple to put the game winning run on third. Melnychuk entered the game in relief and got a strike out, and pop up to end the threat. In the eighth, Logan Corcoran hit an inside the park homerun on a laser down the right field line and gave the Reivers a 2-1 lead. Melnychuk would strike out two more before getting a pop up to end the game, collecting her second win on the day. Libby Walls was excellent as the game two starter, earning the no-decision with 6 1/3 innings of work, giving up five hits while striking out seven and allowing one earned run.

Sunday was a bit smoother for the Reivers, Melnychuk earned her third win on the weekend, striking out 11 while going the distance. Jessica Strandlund had the clutch hit, breaking the game open with a two run triple to give IWCC the lead for good. Madeline Layman also doubled in the 5-1 win. Game two, Kat Bain and AJ Gregory homered for the Reivers, and Kennedy Walls, Myla Beckstrom, and Jessica Strandlund all doubled. Libby Walls got the complete game win in the 8-1 victory, striking out nine while allowing five hits and one run.

Iowa Western is set to take on Iowa Lakes at home for Sophomore Day on Wednesday in their final Regular Season contest. First pitch set for 2pm.

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Twitter | https://twitter.com/ReiverSoftball
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/IWCCsoftball
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