The MCC softball team traveled to Estherville, Iowa Tuesday afternoon to take on the Lakers of Iowa Lakes Community College. The Tigers entered the contest 14-21 and looking to add a few wins before heading to Ottumwa for the Region XI Division I Softball Tournament. They would split with the Lakers, falling in game one before closely taking game two.
Game One: Lost 5-2
The Lakers struck first in the opening game, putting up three runs in the second inning. The Tigers were able to respond by adding a single run in the third inning when Taylor Tague pounded in a RBI single that brought Katelyn Cantu across the plate. The Tigers struck again on the fourth inning but it would not be enough as the Lakers coasted their way to a 5-2 victory.
Anika Matsumoto and Katelyn Cantu each went 2-3 from the plate with Matsumoto recoding one RBI. Short Stop Kylie Swan was also productive at the plate going 2-4. Saydee Terrell blasted a deep ball to center field to earn her a double on the day. Freshman Katelyn Cantu was in the circle for the Tigers, pitching all seven innings, facing 26 batters and giving up four earned runs.
Game Two: Won 11-10
The Tigers bounced back in their second game to split with the Lakers. The bats came alive in the first inning, with each team scoring four runs. Chasity Jordan, Kylie Swan, Katlyn Cantu, and Olivia Hubert all made it around the bases before the Tigers were retired. After surrendering four runs in the bottom of the first, the top of the order got back to scoring runs, adding three more and added two in the third inning. The Lakers struck back with four runs in the third and a single run in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the game at ten with one inning remaining. The Tigers loaded the bases in the final inning when sophomore Olivia Hubert brought in the game winning run. Katelyn Cantu made quick work of the Lakers to cap off the Tigers 11-10 victory.
The Tigers stole nine bases in the victory with Saydee Terrell leading the way with three while Katelyn Cantu and Olivia Hubert each added two. Taylor Tague started the game in the circle for the Tigers, pitching three innings and facing 21 batters before Cantu replaced her in the fourth inning. Cantu recorded her second save of the season, pitching four innings and giving up two earned runs against 17 batters.
Up Next:
The Tigers will regroup before traveling to Ottumwa on Friday for the Region XI Tournament. The Tigers finished 2-10 in the conference, pairing them with the 10-2 Warriors of Indian Hills Community College in the first round. The Tiger dropped all four games to the warriors this season. The first round is set to start at 11:00 AM in Ottumwa on the Indian Hills Community College campus.
