OTTUMWA, IA – No. 11-rated Indian Hills split a pair of ICCAC contests to open its conference slate Saturday at Hellyer Field, falling in game one 5-2, before rebounding for an 8-0, five-inning victory in game two.
The opener saw a pitcher's duel between the Warriors' Malarie Huseman and Laker hurler, Lexi Chase. Chase had the IHCC bats stymied all afternoon as only a fourth-inning walk issued to Chloe Olson kept her from perfection through four frames.
Indian Hills third basemen Hannah Poortinga broke up the no-hit bid with a double in the fifth with the Warriors trailing 1-0. She would come around to score on a Peyton Moffet double, and Moffet would later score to give the IHCC the 2-1 lead.
The advantage would be short lived, however, as Eliya Johnson hit a two-run bomb over the chain link in centerfield to put Lakers back up 3-2.
Iowa Lakes would tack on two more in the sixth as Huseman worked into trouble by sandwiching a single around two hit batsmen to load the bags and a fourth run came in on a Mya Ehlenfeldt sacrifice fly. Chase would then add a sac fly to her own cause and the Warriors fate was nearly sealed.
In the seventh, Chase induced two quick ground outs before Gracie Jevyak doubled to buoy the Warrior hopes, but a fly out ended it the game, and with it, the IHCC five-game win streak.
"We are really still missing the consistency piece of showing up to play every pitch," Diehl said. "We are letting outside factors determine how we are going to play instead of controlling our attitudes, energy and effort."
Game two was more along the lines of what Diehl was hoping for as the Warriors used an eight-run outburst in the fifth inning to end the game via the run-rule.
The Netherlands native, Margot Van Eijl, got her first collegiate start and didn't disappoint as the right-hander pitched all five shutout frames, striking out seven and walking two while allowing five hits.
"I was happy to see Margot settle in and get comfortable in the circle," Diehl added.
The Warriors sent 11 batters to the plate in the decisive fifth frame with the big blow coming from Poortinga who delivered a pinch-hit three-run dinger to center to make it 8-0.
Chloe Olson was the only Warrior to have multiple hits in the nightcap as the sophomore went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. Bryanna Mehaffy, Nicole Bellis, Moffet, and Jevyak each added singles for the Warriors (9-3, 1-1).
Eliya Johnson took the loss for the Lakers (1-3, 1-1) tossing 4 2/3 innings surrendering all eight runs, four earned on seven hits, eight walks and four strikeouts.
The two teams will square off in another doubleheader Sunday, right back at Hellyer Field as the ICCAC foes complete their four-game set. First pitch is scheduled for noon.
"The great thing about softball is you get to play again the next day," Diehl said. "I look forward to how we step up on the field Sunday.
GAME ONE
Indian Hills 000 020 0 – 2 3 0
Iowa Lakes 010 022 x – 5 5 0
WP – Lexi Chase, LP – Malarie Huseman (5-2)
(2B – Jevyak, Moffet, Poortinga; RBI – Moffet; SB – Moffet)
GAME TWO
Indian Hills 000 08 – 8 7 1
Iowa Lakes 000 00 – 0 5 1
WP – Margot van Eijl (1-0), LP – Eliya Johnson.
(HR – Hannah Poortinga; RBI – Jevyak 2, Mehaffy, Moffet, Portinga 3; CS – Hartz, Mehaffy)