By Justin Ites, The Times-Citizen

Iowa Falls, IA – A ninth-inning three-run walk-off home run by Caden Sammler rescued Ellsworth Community College from the wrong end of a three-game sweep.

Visiting Northeast Community College had already won the first two games of the series by 12-1 and 7-2 scores, and the Hawks carried a 5-4 lead into the ninth of game three on Sunday.

That's when Sammler delivered a jolt that gave the Panthers a 7-5 comeback victory that pushed their overall mark to 20-16, and 7-8 in Region XI play.

Sammler's big knock was one of two long-balls in the game three win. Boston Doeschot also left Cadet Field for his 12th homer of the spring. He finished 2-4 at the plate and also drove in three runs.

Brock Adamson earned the start on the mound and completed six innings of five-hit baseball. He allowed only two earned runs while striking out five. Luke Greth and Casey Clair finished the game on the bump, and it was Clair earning the win. 

Earlier on Sunday, the visiting Hawks (20-16, 6-7) made it two in a row with the 7-2 win. They led 5-0 after three innings, and ECC's offense scored its only two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Sammler was 2-3 with a double and a run knocked in, while Connor MacAlpine was 1-4 with a two-bagger and one RBI.

Jordan Dahlof was saddled with the pitching loss after throwing five innings and allowing seven hits and 5 runs. Four were earned and he struck out three while walking four. 

Game one was played on Friday and NECC lefty starter Caden Rezac smothered the Panther offense with a complete seven-inning performance. Rezac allowed just four hits, one earned run and struck out 13 ECC batters.

ECC utilized seven pitchers during the game, and starter Dominic Wade took the loss after tossing two innings. He allowed four runs - all of them earned.

For more Times-Citizen coverage of Ellsworth athletics: https://www.timescitizen.com/sports/ecc