Softball: Raiders Host NIACC and ICCC Over the Weekend

The Central Community College softball team hosted NIACC and Iowa Central over the weekend. A recap of both doubleheaders is below:

3/21/26

Game 1: NIACC- 11 Central- 2

The Central Community College Raiders fell 11-2 in a five-inning contest against North Iowa Area Community College in game one. Despite the final score, the Raiders showed late-game grit as Bella Larsen sparked the offense with a hit and a stolen base, eventually coming around to score one of the team's two runs. Lextyn Harker also contributed at the plate with a base hit, while Delaney Reeg displayed great discipline by drawing a walk and crossing the plate. On the mound, Harker received the loss after a challenging start, with Logan Rainforth entering in relief to strike out two batters over nearly four innings of work. 

Game 2: NIACC- 9 Central- 6

The Raiders showed heart in game two vs. NIACC, ultimately falling 9-6 in a full seven-inning contest. Rainforth led the offensive charge with a clutch RBI double and a stolen base, while Kloey Johnson, Kayla Fox, and Larsen each drove in runs to keep the Raiders within striking distance. Discipline at the plate was a major theme for Central, as Jordyn Trotta and Kami Kaskie combined for four walks to consistently put pressure on the Trojan defense. On the mound, Callen Heule took the loss but showed impressive stamina by pitching a complete game and striking out three batters over seven innings of work. 

3/22/26

Game 1: Iowa Central- 11 Central- 9

The Central Community College Raiders displayed an explosive offense in an 11-9 battle against Iowa Central, highlighted by a five-run fifth inning. Larsen was unstoppable in this one at the plate, turning in a perfect 3-for-3 performance with a double and two RBIs to lead the Raiders. On the mound, Rainforth shouldered the workload with a complete-game effort, while also helping her own cause offensively with two hits and a team-high three RBIs. Despite a resilient 10-hit performance and a late-inning push, the Raiders fell just short in the 11-9 final.

Game 2: Iowa Central- 11 Central-2

The Central Community College Raiders struggled to contain a potent Iowa Central offense early on, eventually dropping the contest 11-2 in a five-inning finish. Johnson provided a bright spot for the Raider lineup, leading the team with a well-struck double and a run scored. Harker took the loss on the mound, while Heule provided four innings of relief work to help bridge the gap for the Raiders. 

Head coach Caitlin Simon said, "This weekend I feel like we earned some respect in the ICCAC. We had opportunities to take one game from both NIACC and ICCC but couldn't capitalize. I'm proud of the fight and competitiveness the team showed when we got down early in the games, but this is also something we need to do better at and limit the 4+ runs in the first two innings of games. We have a big week with a lot of opportunities to continue to grow, and we're looking forward to it."

Raiders move to 9-12 and are in action next vs. Northeast in Norfolk, March 25th.