CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA -- The 2024 spring season came to an end for the Ellsworth CC softball team in the Region XI-B tournament where the Panthers lost 14-3 to Iowa Central in the opening round, then were eliminated when they lost a slugfest to Northeast (Neb.), 13-11.  ECC had won all 4 regular season matchups with Northeast.

Ellsworth fell behind Iowa Central, 9-0, before scoring all 3 of its runs in the top of the 5th inning.  ECC was limited to 7 hits, all singles, 2 of them by Emma Gordon.  Katelynn Hursh knocked in 2 of the Panthers' runs and Elli Han had the other RBI.  The runs were scored by Kaitlin Mick, Maddy Harding and Kierstyn Sutton.  Ellsworth stole 4 bases including a pair by Hursh.  Angelica Agro started in the circle for ECC and lasted 3 2/3 innings.  Taryn Cory relieved and got 4 outs.

Against NCC, the Panthers built leads of 4-0 after 2 innings and 10-4 after 4 before they gave up 2 runs in the 5th and 7 in a decisive 6th inning.  Harding ended her stellar Ellsworth career by going 4-5.  Gordon, Gracie Pierce and Lilea Prahm all had 2-hit games.  Han and Allison Paulsen scored twice each, Pierce drove in 4 runs and Prahm 2.  Kaitlin Mick got the start and pitched into the 6th inning.  Agro came on in relief but couldn't slow down the Hawks' offense until they had taken the lead.

The Panthers wound up the season with a 22-32 record, tying the 2021 squad for the most wins since 2013.