NORFOLK – The Northeast Community College women’s softball team picked up one win in four region games played here over the weekend.
On Saturday, the Hawks split a doubleheader with Ellsworth Community College, winning the finale 5-2 after dropping the opener 8-6. Sunday saw Southwestern Community College sweep Northeast, 14-8 and 14-1.
“We seemed to have a slow weekend,” said Northeast Coach Iris Woodhead. “There were innings in which we played at the caliber we are capable of, then there were others where we tried too hard or were too scared to make a mistake.”
In Saturday’s first game against Ellsworth, Paige Schmidt went 2-for-4 with a run, a double and an RBI. Leah Grovijohn batted 1-for-4 with a run and RBI. Alyson Romey (1-for-3) finished with a run and a base on ball, while Kelsie Myers went 1-for-2 with a run. Amy Rogers and Maddison Oltjenbruns both finished 1-for-4 with an RBI each.
In Northeast’s second game win, Grovijohn finished 3-for-3 with a run, a double and an RBI. Kianna Garza went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, while Oltjenbruns finished 1-for-3 with an RBI. Myers batted 1-for-2 with a run, RBI and hit by pitch, while Logan Runge went 1-for-2 with a hit by pitch.
In Sunday’s first game against Southwestern, Schmidt led the Hawks, going 4-for-4 with four runs, a double and an RBI. Romey went 1-for-4 with a run and RBI, and Rogers finished 2-for-4 with a double and RBI. Oltjenbruns (1-for-3) had one run, as did Myers (1-for-4).
In the second Southwestern game, Grovijohn, Romey and Rogers all batted 1-for-3.
“We look at the big picture too often,” said Woodhead. “Of course we want to score runs, but in order to score runs, we have to get runners on base any way possible. Sometimes a walk or reaching on error is all the momentum a team needs. We have lost sight of that concept. When we focus on doing the little things right, we compete well.”
Northeast (9-32 and 4-12 in region play) next faces Des Moines Area Community College on Wednesday in Norfolk at the Ta-Ha-Zouka Park softball complex. Game times are 2 and 4 p.m.

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