NIACC softball team says goodbye to 9 sophomores

By The Globe Gazette staff

BOONE — When asked how she was going to remember the group of sophomores who had just played their final game, NIACC softball coach Christi Weiser took a long pause and exhaled.

"That makes me emotional," she said.

Eventually, the words came out.

"The numbers, people will see that from the outside, but the mark this group left on this program in helping Bob (Horner) and I build in the direction we want to … we've had the privilege of riding on their shoulders the past two years," she said.

NIACC bowed out of the Region XI tournament Monday, beating Northeast (Neb.) 13-5 before dropping an elimination game to Iowa Central 6-4.

It marked the final game for nine sophomores – Sara Tefft, Katie LaBuda, Allison Scott, Lexy Pederson, Lindsey Mason, Sammie Sproul, Becca Huberty, Sara Steinman and Tricia Notermann.

"They set the tone on how to be respected as a student, as an athlete," Weiser said. "They set the bar high and they leave a strong path to be followed."

Pederson struck out seven in her final start – a win over Northeast – and homered. Freshman Brittany Florea knocked in three runs as the Lady Trojans pounded out 15 hits.

It was a quick start later in the day against Iowa Central as Allison Scott's first-inning homer paved the way for a 4-1 lead in the fourth inning. Freshman speedster Kendall Cornick drove in two and had a pair of hits for NIACC (20-31). But the Tritons scored five times over their final three at-bats to knock NIACC out of the tournament.

"You just had that feeling from the first pitch that it was going be a very close game," Weiser said.

Now, Weiser turns her attention to 2017. The Lady Trojans have just five freshmen on the roster, highlighted by Cornick and Florea.

Cornick, a mid-year transfer from Wartburg, had a sensational first year, recording 65 steals – one off the school record – and 90 hits. Whether or not she returns will be one of the top off-season storylines.

"It's that time where you make that transition to recruiting," Weiser said.

NIACC 13, NORTHEAST 5 (6)

Northeast CC 300 020—5 7 1

NIACC 021 046—13 15 2

Logan Runge (1K, 1BB), Lindsey Kvidera (5), Paige Schmidt (6) and Leah Grovijohn. Lexy Pederson (7K, 2BB) and Elise Powers. 2B—Kianna Garza (NE), Kendall Cornick (N), Pederson, Brittany Florea (N) 2. HR—Pederson. Multiple hits—Alyson Romey (NE) 2, Garza 3, Kyle Givens (NE) 2, Cornick 2, Tricia Notermann (N) 3, Pederson 3, Florea 2. Multiple RBIs—Garza 2, Givens 2, Allison Scott (N) 2, Pederson 3, Florea 3.

IOWA CENTRAL 6, NIACC 4

NIACC 130 000 0 – 4 7 1

Iowa Central 010 221 x – 6 6 0

Sara Steinman (0K, 0BB), Katie LaBuda (5) (0K, 1BB), Lexy Pederson (5) (0K, 0BB) and Brittany Florea. Cassie Tjebben (7K, 4BB), Alexis Korte (7) (0K, 0BB) and Molly Matthes. HR – Allison Scott (N), Maddie Wagner (IC). 2B – Kendall Cornick (N), Tricia Notermann (N), Abby Doberneckers (IC). Multiple hits – Cornick 2. Multiple RBIs – Cornick 2, Wagner 2.