IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- A second-game rally came up short and the Ellsworth CC softball team lost both games of a doubleheader with Southwestern CC on Thursday at Legion Field, 11-2 and 12-9.

In game 2, the Panthers spotted SWCC a 12-3 lead after a 10-run 3rd inning, before ECC put 5 runs on the board in the 5th and added another tally in the 6th.  But they couldn't complete the comeback despite a 5-RBI performance by Katie DeMaio.  She had a double and a home run, her first of the spring.  Maddy Harding scored 3 runs and tripled.  Emma Gordon and Madeline Myer joined DeMaio with 2-hit games.  Taryn Cory started in the circle for ECC and was replaced in the 3rd inning by Lauren Brennan.

Southwestern started fast with 7 runs in the 2nd inning of the opener.  Ellsworth got their 2 runs in the 5th inning, both driven in by Gordon.  She had one of only 2 ECC hits, the other by Myer.  Saige Keller and Lili Ruiz scored the runs.  Keller and Ruiz both saw pitching action after starter Jocelyn Hartley was relieved in the 2nd inning.

The Panthers are slated to take on Northeast (Neb.) CC in 4 games this weekend, 2 on both Saturday and Sunday.