No. 19 NIACC sweeps Hawkeye CC

MASON CITY - The No. 19 NIACC softball team moved its winning streak to nine games with an ICCAC doubleheader sweep of Hawkeye CC Wednesday afternoon on the NIACC campus.

NIACC (31-17 overall, 20-4 in the ICCAC) won the first game 10-0 in five innings and completed the sweep with an 8-0 win in the second game. It was the Trojans fifth and sixth shutouts of the season.

The 31 wins by NIACC gives the Trojans at least 30 wins in a season for the sixth time this century. The Trojans also won at least 30 games in 2023, 2019, 2010, 2009 and 2002.

NIACC, which hasn't lost since it dropped a 1-0 decision to DMACC on April 14, wraps up its regular season with home doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday against Kirkwood and Iowa Central.

In Wednesday's first game, NIACC hit five home runs, including four in the third inning. The Trojans received back-to-back-to-back home runs from Madisyn Kelley, Emily Jones and Madisyn Bauer while Katy Olive also homered in the frame.

Kelley also homered in the fourth inning for the Trojans.

The 10 runs were more than enough for pitcher Izzy Sloan (10-3). Sloan, a freshman right-hander, tossed a one-hit shutout with nine strikeouts and no walks to win her fourth straight start. It was Sloan's fourth career shutout as she also tossed shutouts against Ellsworth twice and Northeast CC.

Hawkeye CC's lone base runner in the contest was Courtney Hemsley, who reached on a one-out single in the second inning.

In the second game, NIACC pounded out 12 hits to score its eight runs. The Trojans scored two runs in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings.

Jones hit a two-run home run in the third inning.

In the fifth inning, Thea Mattson drove in two runs with a single to give the Trojans their 8-0 lead to end the game via the 8-run rule.

Macy Kellar (14-4) picked up her third career shutout in Wednesday's second game. Kellar, who has won five straight starts, tossed a two-hit shutout with six strikeouts with two walks and one hit by pitch.

Kellar also gained shutouts against Indian Hills and Heartland CC.