IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- A pitching gem by sophomore Chloe Roberts in game two allowed the Ellsworth softball team to get away with a split in their doubleheader with Marshalltown CC Tuesday.  Roberts fashioned a 3-hit shutout in beating MCC, 3-0, after the Tigers had claimed the opener, 5-1.

The complete-game effort from Roberts let her get her first win of the spring.  She didn't walk anyone and struck out two.  The Panthers scored two runs in the 3rd inning and added another in the 5th.  Chelsea Buck accounted for one of the runs with her team-leading 4th home run.  Buck, Gwen Hovorka, Mya Mathes and Kailey Becker all had two hits and Hovorka and Mathes scored the runs.

Despite outhitting Marshalltown, 10-4 in the opener the Panthers were able to generate only one run.  MCC scored first, getting four runs in the 4th and adding one in the next inning.  ECC was blanked until Kaysee Dale plated their only run in the 5th.  Roberts was the bright spot offensively, going 4-fo-4.  She ended the twinbill with a .421 batting average for the season.  Dale, Hovorka, Ally Sparks, Buck, Mathes and Meghan Danielson each had a hit. 

The Panthers are now 10-12 and will play four games against Northeast (Neb.) with two Wednesday and two Thursday.