Competing against Iowa Western is never an easy task. MCC Softball experienced that first hand when they traveled to Council Bluffs for a conference double header against the Reivers on Wednesday, April 24.
Game 1
Julie Katz was in the circle for the Reivers in game one and was nearly perfect on the day.
Saydee Terrell led off the game for the Tigers. The sophomore was hit by the very first pitch of the game to reach first base.
That single pitch kept Katz from perfection as she then retired the next 18 Tiger batters in order without surrendering a hit or allowing any runners via walk or hit by pitch. The Reiver pitcher struck out 10 of the 19 batters she faced on her way to a complete game (6 inning) no hitter.
Meanwhile, the Reiver bats got off to a hot start against Terrell, who was pitching for the visiting Tigers. In the first two innings combined, the Reivers plated six runs on six hits and four walks. Terrell settled in and limited them to single runs in the third and sixth innings. But that's all that was needed with the performance from Katz and the Reivers took game one by the score of 8-0 in six innings.
Game 2
The day didn't get any better for the Tigers in game two.
In the five inning game, the Tigers had seven base runners on three hits, one walk, a hit by pitch, a fielder's choice, and an error. However, the Tigers were only able to put one runner in scoring position and she was thrown out at third on a fielder's choice.
For Iowa Western, the runs came in bunches. The Reivers teed off on freshman pitcher, Ashley Tennant. In four at bats, the home team scored 18 runs (13 earned) on 18 hits, 5 walks, and three errors. They scored at least four runs in each inning and did so while only hitting three extra base hits and without a homerun.
The Tigers and Reivers have faced each other four times this year with Iowa Western winning each contest. The two teams will not play again in the regular season, but may square off in the Region XI Tournament hosted at MCC on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4.
