NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College softball team couldn’t stop Southwestern Community College from scoring runs on Saturday. The Hawks (7-15, 1-9 ICCAC) fell 10-4 and 17-9 in ICCAC play at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Norfolk.
A six-run third inning from the Spartans proved to be the difference in Game 1 of the doubleheader. The Hawks pushed runs across in the bottom of the first, fifth and seventh innings, but it wasn’t enough.
Brianna Aguilera (Pierce, Neb.) had a double, while Maia Johnson (Louisville, Neb.) had a home run with two RBI and a run. Greta Lindberg (Tekamah, Neb.) was dealt the loss, tossing seven innings, while allowing eight earned runs off 13 hits. She walked five batters and struck out three.
The Hawks managed to take a 7-0 lead after the second inning in Game 2, but the Spartans quickly answered with seven runs in the top of the third. The Hawks re-gained the lead in the bottom of the third, but it didn’t last long after Southwestern tallied two runs in the top of fifth and exploded for seven runs in the top of the seventh.
Alyssa Turner (Columbus, Neb.) went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs. Chantel Julian (Roseville, Calif.) added two hits, a run and an RBI. Kierra Stewart (Dodge, Neb.) tossed seven innings and allowed 16 earned runs off 16 hits. She walked six batters and struck out one in the loss.
The Hawks and Spartans square off in a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. tomorrow in Norfolk.
