NORTHEAST SPLITS WEEKEND BEHIND BIG EFFORTS FROM RABURN AND LAUBY

WATERLOO, Iowa – The Northeast Community College softball team hit the road for a four-game trip that included two contests against No. 17 Iowa Central Community College on Saturday in Fort Dodge, Iowa and two showdowns with Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa on Sunday. The Hawks fell by final scores of 11-0 and 5-2 to the Tritons before sweeping the RedTails by final scores of 8-5 and 9-5.

Northeast (17-24, 5-11 ICCAC) did not record a hit in Game 1 against the nationally-ranked Tritons, but Isabel Raburn (Holdrege, Neb.) put the Hawks on the board in Game 2 with a triple that drove in one. Amy Lauby (Fairmont, Neb.) added a double in the showdown while tossing four innings in the circle. Rachel Hobbs (Hoksins, Neb.) was excellent in relief, throwing two innings and allowing just one hit.

On Sunday, Hawkeye and Northeast traded the lead four times in Game 1 as Lauren Marker (Kearney, Neb.) launched a solo shot to tie the matchup in the seventh inning. Allie Funderburk (Starke, Fla.) made sure that the Hawks' rally wasn't over there as she put Northeast ahead for good with a three-run blast later in the seventh to give the Hawks a come from behind victory.

After the big triumph in Game 1 against the RedTails, Northeast was determined to complete the sweep as Emilee Sirdoreus (Laramie, Wyo.), Malika Monroe (Valentine, Neb.) and Marker all homered. Raburn tossed all seven innings in the circle, striking out nine. Raburn entered the day fourth in the entire NJCAA DII ranks in strikeouts and continued her strong season to give the Hawks the win.

STAT SHEET GAME 1 AGAINST IOWA CENTRAL:

Bailee Ahlemeyer (Cambridge, Neb.): 0-2

Lauren Marker (Kearney, Neb.): 0-2

STAT SHEET GAME 2 AGAINST IOWA CENTRAL:

Isabel Raburn (Holdrege, Neb.): 1-3, 3B, RBI

Amy Lauby (Fairmont, Neb.): 1-1, 2B, R

Rachel Hobbs (Hoskins, Neb.): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER

STAT SHEET GAME 3 AGAINST HAWKEYE:

Allie Funderburk (Starke, Fla.): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI

Tiarna Law (Queensland, Australia): 3-3, R, 2 RBI

Amy Lauby (Fairmont, Neb.): 4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 K

STAT SHEET GAME 4 AGAINST HAWKEYE:

Malika Monroe (Valentine, Neb.): 2-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

Emilee Sirdoreus (Laramie, Wyo.): 2-4, HR, R, 2 RBI

Isabel Raburn (W) (Holdrege, Neb.): 7 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 9 K

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Softball Coach Erin Sharpe on the two matchups with Iowa Central:

"I thought we played good." Sharpe said. "Unfortunately, our hits were going right toward people, but we were making great contact for the most part."

Sharpe on completing the comeback in Game 1 against Hawkeye:

"They showed up to compete from the beginning to the end today," Sharpe said. "It all started with Lauren's approach at the plate that got us going. I also thought Amy and Rachel did a great job in the circle."

Sharpe on finishing the sweep in Waterloo:

"Game 2 was all about the small things and doing it right," Sharpe said. "Our bats were hot, and our defense was solid behind Isabel pitching a good game."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will head back out on the road this week and will take on Iowa Lakes Community College at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday in Estherville, Iowa.

HAWKS HAPPENINGS:

For all the latest information on Northeast Hawks Athletics, please visit northeasthawks.com. For updates and other exciting content, follow:

@northeastcchawks on Facebook

@northeasthawks on Instagram

@northeasthawks on TikTok

@NortheastHawks on Twitter/X

@NortheastCCSB on Twitter/X