COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - Iowa Western Softball took both games of an afternoon doubleheader, defeating Cloud County 12-0 and 11-3 at the Dr. John and Jean Marshall Baseball & Softball Complex.

The Reivers struck early in game one, putting up five runs in the 1st inning; including a solo home run from Ella Fitzpatrick.  That would be all the run support IW would need as pitchers Sophia Herrera and Maddison Depencier shut down the Thunderbirds offense allowing no hits in the run-rule game. Herrera struck out four in her two innings of work and Depencier sat down seven T-Birds in the final three frames.

In game two, freshman infielder Allie Cromer crushed a 2-run shot in the first inning, then in the 2nd frame, freshman left fielder Kendall Woods smashed a solo shot to right-center field, and freshman Emma Hague followed with a solo shot of her own to go back-to-back.  Cloud County would answer in the top of the 3rd, plating three runs to make it a 4-3 game.

Cloud would get the tying run to 2nd base in the top of the 4th inning but sophomore pitcher Erin Kirkland came in with two outs and struck out the final batter of the inning to preserve the lead.  Iowa Western would break it open in the bottom of the 4th, Cromer hitting her 2nd home run of the game and sophomore infielder Cydnee Schneider hit her team-leading 11th homer of the season to make it a 10-3 game.

Kirkland would come out in the top of the 5th, striking out three T-birds after giving up a single.  In the bottom of the 5th, sophomore infielder Moira Baxter led off with a triple and Fitzpatrick drove her home to win the game via run-rule.

With the victories, Iowa Western moves to 19-13 on the season and 7-3 at home.  Cloud County falls to 12-6.

Iowa Western will hit the road on Tuesday, taking on former Reiver Head Coach Lana Ross and Kansas City Kansas Community College.