Reivers roll to shutout wins at SWCC

Iowa Western pitchers allowed just two hits in 12 shutout innings Wednesday in sweeping the Southwestern softball team Wednesday, 6-0 and 15-0.

Saydee Plummer, 5-10 sophomore pitcher from Burlington, struck out nine in a no-hitter in game one to improve her season record to 19-1. It was a competitive battle after Kiana LeDoux’s three-run homer in the first inning pushed the Reivers into an early lead.

Southwestern sophomore pitcher Bailey Hosbach allowed eight hits and only four earned runs against the No. 24-ranked Reivers.

Iowa Western held a 5-0 lead in game two until breaking it open with an eight-run fourth inning. SWCC first baseman Hannah Hackmann doubled and Matea Warren singled for the Spartans’ lone hits of the day. The Spartans fell to 10-38 overall.

“Their pitchers did a great job the entire day shutting us down,” Southwestern coach Chris Piporno said. “It’s tough when you’re not scoring runs. We had our opportunities. They’re physical and can swing it, so if you make a mistake they’re going to punish you.”

Spartans need sweep

Iowa Western maintained it’s lead in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference Division I softball race at 12-2, and 41-5 overall. Four teams advance to this week’s regional tournament and going into Sunday’s doubleheader in Marshalltown, both Southwestern and Marshalltown were vying for that last spot.

Going into the final games over the weekend, Iowa Western was the leader at 12-2, with Southeastern and Indian Hills safely in the regional bracket at 11-5 and 9-7, respectively. Marshalltown, coached by former Creston softball coach Dave Hartman, was in fourth at 3-11, but could have been overtaken by 2-12 Southwestern if the Spartans earned a sweep.

“We have to win two to get in,” Piperno said before the games. “They swept us the first time, so then it would come down to whoever gave up the most runs. The difference now is four. We have to win by more than four combined in the two games. It’s a challenge, but you know your destiny. Go get it.”

Ultimately, Marshalltown claimed both ends of Sunday’s doubleheader by identical 6-5 scores. That ended Southwestern’s season at 10-40.