NORTHEAST MOVES TO .500 WITH TWO WINS OVER NIACC

MASON CITY, Iowa – The Northeast Community College softball team traveled to Mason City, Iowa for their final road trip of the regular season against North Iowa Area Community College. The Hawks took both games of a doubleheader Saturday by final scores of 11-1 in Game 1 and 12-7 in Game 2.

Game 1 was originally scheduled for 10 a.m. but a slight weather delay moved the start time back one hour to 11 a.m. The delay was no problem for the Hawks (22-22, 5-13 ICCAC) however, as they were able to score nine runs right off the bat in the top of the first inning. The Hawks would bat around in the first frame and were able to cruise to victory in what became a five-inning contest. Greta Lindberg (Plattsmouth, Neb.) was outstanding for Northeast on the mound as she only allowed one run that came in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Balls hit out of the infield were rare in both games due to high winds, but Game 2 saw a few more baserunners cross home for both teams. The Hawks again jumped ahead early with two quick runs in the first inning. The Trojans trailed 7-1 in the third inning but rallied to score four runs in the fourth. The Hawks didn't allow the slight adversity to derail them as they tacked three more on in the fifth and were able to hold that lead throughout the end of the matchup.

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH

Interim head softball coach Jade Long's thoughts on her team's offensive outing today:

"When we worked flat and found the middle of the ball things went good for us," Long said. "A couple of times I think we tried to do too much. Kind of tried to go for that deep ball and with the wind that wasn't working for us. When we worked flat good things happened and we found a way to get our runners around."

What else stood out to Long from today's games?

"I think defensively we all made some pretty spectacular plays. Lex (Alexis Folks) had one in the first game in the five-six hole that she backhanded and got the runner out at first. I think that really grabbed the momentum and brought it over to our side. Overall, we made the plays that we needed to make."

What Long wants to see from her team tomorrow against NIACC:

"Just continuing to work flat and having good team at-bats," Long said. "Just work as a cohesive unit and good things will happen for us."

UP NEXT

The Hawks will wrap up their series with ICCAC foe North Iowa Area Community College tomorrow. A doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. Sunday in Mason City, Iowa.

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