NIACC pushes win streak to 12

MASON CITY - The winning streak has reached 12.

The NIACC baseball team moved its winning streak to 12 games with a ICCAC doubleheader sweep of Iowa Lakes on Sunday at Roosevelt Field.

Sophomore left-hander Brandon Williamson struck out 12 batters in six innings to lead NIACC to a 7-1 win in first game. The Trojans completed the sweep with a 12-4, eight-inning win in the nightcap as Tom Skoro struck out a career-high 13 in seven innings.

NIACC (31-17-1 overall, 17-6-1 in the ICCAC) has won 15 straight contests against Iowa Lakes.

It is the fourth straight season that the Trojans have won at least 30 games.

In the opener, Williamson (7-3) scattered six hits and only allowed a single run in the fourth inning. Evan Riefert struck out the side in the seventh inning as the Trojans won for the 11th straight time.

Williamson now has 134 career strikeouts, which ranks second on NIACC's career list. Daniel Loats (2015-16) is the career leader with 148.

Williamson has 87 strikeouts this season, which ranks third on the school's single-season list, in 55 innings pitched. Sunday's start was the third time Williamson struck out at least 10 in a league start.

NIACC scored two runs in the third innings, pushed across four runs in the fourth frame and added a single run in the fifth inning.

Sophomore Joey Werner hit a two-run home run in the third inning.

In the second game, Iowa Lakes jumped out to a 3-0 lead by scoring two runs in the second inning and a single run in the third frame. The Trojans responded by scoring five runs in the third inning.

In the third inning, the Trojans collected four hits and took advantage of three Iowa Lakes' miscues. Ben Komonosky plated two runs with a single and the Trojans also received RBI singles from Kamrin Arons and Nate VanKan.

Bryce Ball was 2 for 3, including a double, with three RBIs in the second game.

After allowing three runs in the first three innings, Skoro settled down and did not allow a run over the next four innings. He allowed two hits and issued one walk in the fourth through seventh innings.

Skoro (7-2) increased his 2018 strikeout total to 81, which ranks fourth on the school's single-season list, in 51 2/3 innings pitched. It was also Skoro's third ICCAC start that he struck out at least 10 batters.

NIACC returns to action Thursday at home against the Luther College Junior Varsity in the Autism Awareness Game. The single, nine-inning game starts at 5:30 p.m. at Roosevelt Field.

NIACC'S 12-GAME WIN STREAK (April 20-29, 2018)

NIACC 17, Marshalltown CC 9

NIACC 5, Iowa Central 2

NIACC 10, Iowa Central 7

NIACC 4, Iowa Central 0

NIACC 7, Iowa Central 3

NIACC 11, Marshalltown CC 0

NIACC 10, Wartburg JV 5

NIACC 8, Wartburg JV 5

NIACC 10, Iowa Lakes 3

NIACC 13, Iowa Lakes 12

NIACC 7, Iowa Lakes 1

NIACC 12, Iowa Lakes 4