IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- The Ellsworth softball team, playing at home for the first time in nearly two years, took advantage of the opportunity by taking both games of a Thursday doubleheader with North Platte (Neb.) by scores of 2-0 and 9-4.  The Panthers got a shutout pitching performance from Delaney Vetter in game one and a six-run 5th inning aided the second-game victory.

"It was good to play at home," said ECC coach Nate Forsyth.  "The last time we played on our diamond was 2019.  Offensively, our at-bats got better as the day went on, we had runners on base all day, and, in the second game, we capitalized in the 5th inning.

Vetter fired a three-hitter while blanking North Platte, walking only one while striking out seven.  Chloe Roberts knocked in the runs in the 5th, scoring Chelsea Buck and Meghan Danielson with the only runs of the contest.  The other hit for the Panthers was a double by Kaysee Dale.

In game two, the hitting stars were Dale who was 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs, Maggie Braniff with a 2-for-3 effort and three RBIs, and Roberts 2-for-4 and two runs scored with a single and a double.  Leadoff hitter Mya Mathes doubled, drew three walks, scored once and drove in a run.  The other ECC hits were from Buck, Kailey Becker and Lauren Abram.  And Grace Gordon had an RBI.  Starter Cheyanne Collins went six strong innings, allowing eight hits and fanning four with just one walk.  Roberts came in and finished up with a scoreless inning.

North Platte scored first by plating a single run in the top of the 3rd, Ellsworth went ahead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning and then blew the game open with a six-spot in the 5th.

"Pitching and defense were the keys for us (in the sweep)," Forsyth explained.  "Delaney threw really well again.  She did not give up a hit until the 6th inning.  Our defense didn't have an error for the 4th straight game.  Combine those two things and it gives you a good chance to win."

The Panthers will now prepare for a four-game weekend series with Iowa Western CC with home twinbills on Saturday and Sunday.  The Ellsworth head coach hopes the pitching and defense he saw against North Platte will provide momentum for the weekend.  "Iowa Western has two really good arms so we need to have good at-bats and try to get them to make a pitching change early in the series," said Forsyth.  "They have played 16 games already so they have far more ABs and innings played than us so we need to be ready for the challenge.  We are looking forward to playing a great program and continuing to improve." 

Photo credit: Times Citizen.  For more visit http://www.timescitizen.com/sports/ecc/