Softball: CCC Finishes the Weekend Strong

The Central Community College softball team went 1-3 over the weekend. A recap of each game follows:

Game 1: #3 Highland CC 13  CCC 3

Highland was able to jump on the Raiders early, with nine runs in the second inning. Highland was able to collect 13 hits with Braelyn Sindelar starting in the circle and Shayla Sullivan relieving. Kami Kaskie led CCC with three runs batted in. Ava Steinke went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead in hits. 

Game 2: #3 Iowa Lakes CC 19  CCC 6

The game began with each team trading runs and the Raiders led 3-0 at the end of the first inning. Howver, after four innings, the Lakers were able to take control with a 9-4 lead. The Raiders accumulated 11 hits in the game. Leadoff hitter Jordyn Trotta led CCC with three hits in four at-bats. Delaney Reeg collected two hits for CCC in four at-bats. CCC utilized three pitchers, with Kaskie starting in the circle and Sullivan and Sindelar came in for relief. Iowa Lakes tallied 21 hits. Kami Kaskie drove in four runners in the loss.


Game 3: Iowa Lakes 23  CCC 6

The score was 3-3 at the end of the first, and by the end of the third inning, the Lakers were able to pull away 10-3 thanks to seven runs. Kaskie started in the circle again, giving up nine hits in three innings, and Sullivan relieving. Taylor and Steinke both went 2-2 batting with Steinke also posting 3 RBIs.

Game 4: CCC 12  Highland CC 4

After a very back-and-forth start, trading runs, the Raiders were able to grab control in the fourth inning, 7-4. The bats were hot for CCC with Kaskie going 4-4, Trotta and Claire Kreutzer each went 3-4. Taylor and Steinke also recorded multiple hits. Teamwise, the Raiders collected 17 hits to Highland's nine. Sindelar started in the circle, pitching six innings in the 12-4 win.

"Big picture is we're giving up one huge inning defensively every game we're losing," said CCC head coach Caitlin Simon. "We must find some consistency and ways to get out of those big innings faster. Our focus needs to be on things we can control."

Next up for the Raiders, a Tuesday home double-header against Northeast Community College. The first pitch for each game is at 1 and 3 p.m. On Thursday and Friday, CCC travels to Iowa to play Ellsworth and Des Moines Area Community College.