Mason City, Iowa -- The Indian Hills offense erupted for 25 runs, with 18 of them coming in two innings, in the Warriors' doubleheader sweep of NJCAA DII number-six rated NIACC on Tuesday. The scores were 14-1 and 11-3, moving the IHCC record to 25-16.
The opener was scoreless until IHCC pushed two runs across in the 5th inning. That was the jump-start the Indian Hills attack needed as it put a 12-spot on the board the following inning. The explosion began with a leadoff homer by Brooke Snider. That blast was followed by a shot by Macey Harrington, a significant one since it was Harrington's 19th, tying Breon Michel and Kacey Duffield for the single-season school record. NIACC's lone run came on a solo homer in the bottom of the 6th.
Snider slammed her 16th long-ball of the spring in the nightcap, a grand slam that was part of Indian Hills' six-run 2nd inning. Brittni Lloyd singled leading off the first inning and came around to score, then the Warriors had their second big inning of the day the next at-bat. They added three runs in the 4th and another in the 5th for their second run-rule victory.
"Going to NIACC was a measuring stick as to the growth we have had this season," said IHCC coach Lindsay Diehl. "When they came to our place we won 1-0 and lost game two by a big margin (12-6). This time we were in another pitcher's duel with Alexis (Groet) in the circle. The two runs we got in the 5th gave us confidence at the plate and then we really started putting together good at-bats. Alexis was three outs away from a no-hitter when they scored their only run."
The Warriors followed it up in the second game with some adjustments at the plate and pitcher Nina Hendriks battled through some tough situations, according to Diehl. "We are getting closer and closer to playing every pitch, every inning of every game," she added.
Harrington and Snider have combined for 35 home runs after Tuesday, and Diehl said with a smile, "Yeah, they are both swinging the bat well."
With their record 16-2 since March 23, the Warriors will take on Southwestern CC in a twinbill on Wednesday at R.L. Hellyer Field.