Reiver Softball Ends Central Tourney Successful

The Reiver softball team finished an eleven-game week a success, having played their last five games in two days at the Central Community College Tournament.

In game one, Iowa Western Community College took down Ellsworth Community College 13-4 on Friday in Columbus NE after slamming Ellsworth Community College with seven runs in the sixth inning. Daleigh Fossler racked up two RBIs on two hits for Iowa Western Community College. She singled in the second inning and homered in the fifth inning. Greta Smeins got it done in the circle on the way to a win. She allowed three runs over four innings. The IWCC pitcher struck out four, walked one and surrendered five hits. The Reivers pounded Ellsworth Community College pitching, as six hitters combined for 10 hits, nine RBIs and nine runs scored. IWCC never trailed after scoring four runs in the fifth on an RBI double by Vanessa Molina, an error, and a two-run home run by Fossler.

In game two on Friday, Iowa Western Community College refused to relinquish the lead after grabbing it early against Southeast Community College, recording a 12-0 victory. The game was decided quickly as the Reivers exerted its will early with nine runs in the first three innings. An RBI single by Kylee Simpson, an RBI single by Taylor Jonas, and a two-run single by Jordan Kerns in the first inning. A steal of home by Cailin Simpson and a groundout by Breana Canova during the second inning fueled Iowa Western Community College's offense early. Cailin Simpson racked up two RBIs on one hit for the Reivers. She homered in the third inning. Southeast Community College had no answer for Ashley Pokraka, who cruised in the circle. Pokraka held Southeast Community College hitless over two innings, allowed no earned runs, walked none and struck out none. Kylee Polsley got it done on the rubber on the way to a win. She tossed three innings of shutout ball. Iowa Western Community College hammered Southeast Community College pitching as six hitters had a field day, combining for 11 hits, nine RBIs and 10 runs scored.

North Platte Community College didn't put up much of a fight in game three, as Iowa Western Community College cruised to a blowout 12-4 win in six innings on Saturday. The Reivers scored five runs in the third on an RBI single by Cailin Simpson, an RBI double by Daleigh Fossler, an error, an RBI single by Jena Gonzales, and an RBI double by Breana Canova. Fossler had a busy day at the plate, collecting two doubles and one home run. Ashley Pokraka got it done on the rubber on the way to a win. She allowed four runs over six innings. The Iowa Western Community College pitcher struck out three. Canova, Fossler, Gonzales, Taylor Jonas, Rebekah Sanchez, Simpson, and Kylee Simpson each got hits for Iowa Western Community College. Kylee Simpson led the team with three hits. IWCC survived North Platte Community College's surge and put up four runs of its own in the sixth. The Reivers scored on a three-run home run by Fossler and an RBI double by Canova for the win.

In game four, Iowa Central Community College took the lead in the ninth inning, and Iowa Western Community College was unable to muster a comeback, losing 4-3 on Saturday at the Central Tourney in 9 innings, two extra-inning International Tie Breakers. Daleigh Fossler got on base three times in the game for Iowa Western Community College. She singled in the second and fourth innings and walked. Greta Smeins worked out of 28 difficult moments for the Reivers. She pitched nine innings and allowed one earned run on nine hits. Smeins faced her trickiest spot in the ninth inning. Smeins was strong on the mound, throwing strikes on 89 of her 131 pitches. Smeins struck out six for Iowa Western. The Reivers scored one run in the fourth inning, and then followed it up with one more in the eighth. In the fourth, Iowa Western Community College scored on an RBI single by Breana Canova, bringing home Fossler. IWCC brought home one run in the eighth inning, and matched that run total in the ninth. In the eighth, Iowa Central Community College scored on an RBI single by Madsen, plating Libe.

In game five, the Reivers came back with a vengeance. Iowa Western Community College starter Kylee Polsley doesn't need much run-support when she is in the circle and she showed it on Saturday against Western Nebraska CC. Seven strong innings by Polsley hoisted Iowa Western Community College to a 2-1 victory over Western Nebraska CC in seven innings. The Reivers held off WNCC as WNCC was unable to overcome a two-run first inning deficit. Western Nebraska CC scored one run in the third on an RBI single by Kasey Cash. Still, Western Nebraska couldn't catch the Reivers. Daleigh Fossler, Jena Gonzales, Taylor Jonas, and Rebekah Sanchez each got hits for Iowa Western Community College. Sanchez led the team with two hits. Polsley was strong on the mound, as she threw strikes on 85 of her 121 pitches. Polsley struck out seven and walked one for Iowa Western CC. The game was never in doubt after the first, as Iowa Western Community College scored two runs on an error and an RBI single by Fossler for the win.

*Courtesy of GameChanger.io