NIACC opens with twinbill sweep

CEDAR RAPIDS - The NIACC softball team opened the season with a pair of wins Wednesday at the Mount Mercy University Junior Varsity.

NIACC won the first game 13-4 in five innings and took the nightcap 11-1 in five innings.

In the opener, McKinzey Johnson hit a grand slam and drove in a total of five runs to lift the Lady Trojans ton the 9-run victory. Johnson also scored three runs and stole a base.

NIACC received two RBIs each from Anna Lensing, Riley Nelson and Macy Alexander. The Lady Trojans also stole six bases in their season opener.

Laken Lienhard gained the win in the circle for NIACC. She struck out eight in five innings of work to pick up her first collegiate victory.

In the second game, Lienhard was four for four, including a double and triple, with two RBIs and a stolen base.

NIACC's Kayla Noelker was 2 for 4, including a home run, with four RBIs.

The Lady Trojans had three doubles in the second game from Lienhard, Lensing and Hailey Worman, 

McKenna Mentink gained the win for NIACC. She struck out a career-best nine and only allowed two hits and one run in five innings of work for her second collegiate victory.

NIACC opens its ICCAC season March 17 in a doubleheader at Iowa Central.