Council Bluffs, IA -- Iowa Western moved to a 3-1 conference record after picking up one win against Southeastern.
Freshman pitcher Julie Katz started game one and began with a three-up-three-down inning.
In the bottom of the first, Iowa Western was able to threaten on the bases by a walk from Lily Gregory and a single by Sydney Reamer. Unfortunately the Reivers were unable to score either baserunner.
Both teams remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning. Gregory lead off the inning with a double and scored on a double from Reamer.
The Hawks tied the game in the sixth inning. The lead off batter reached base on a walk and was able to score by two Reiver errors committed later in the inning.
Iowa Western went into the bottom of the seventh inning with a score tied at 1-1. Gregory hit her second double of the day. She quickly advanced to third on a passed ball. Reamer drove in Gregory on a ground ball to the short stop who was unable to throw her out at the plate and ended the game 2-1.
Katz earned the win with seven innings pitched and eight strikeouts.
Game two was another slow start offensively for both teams. In the bottom of the third Iowa Western scored the first run. The inning started with a single from Allison O'Driscoll. She was moved over by a sacrifice bunt by Cassiddy Beeby. Logon Brown followed with a single to score O'Driscoll. Carlie Benes laid down a bunt to reach first safely while Brown advanced to third on the throw. The hot bat of Gregory was up next. Gregory hit a double scoring both Brown and Benes. Iowa Western ended the inning with a 3-0 lead.
The Hawks responded immediately reaching base on a hit by pitch which then scored on a double. Two more walks by Reamer led to Avery Doucet taking the mound. Doucet struggled to find a groove and walked in a run with the only batter she faced. The Reivers made another pitching change and brought in sophomore Mickaela Epp with the bases loaded. Epp stuck out the next two batters keeping Iowa Western ahead 3-2.
The Hawks continued to put pressure on the defense in the 5th inning. They added four hits that scored another two runs. Southeastern took the lead 4-3. Offensively Iowa Western continued to put runners on base but could not find a way to score.
Iowa Western entered the seventh inning in a one run deficit. Benes started off the inning with a single. Gregory then reached on an error. Tyla Lee then singled to right and the Reivers had bases loaded with one out. Reamer hit a single through the infield that scored Benes. Baserunning mistakes led to another out on the play and runners at first and third. The offense was not able to score another run and sent the game into extra innings.
At the top of the 8th Southeastern began with a hard hit double followed by a sacrifice bunt to land their runner on third. A single scored that runner and brought the Riviers back to a one run deficit. Iowa Western couldn't find a way to get runners on base and ended the game with a 5-4 loss.
Iowa Western plays their next conference games this Sunday against Indian Hills at 1 and 3pm.
