BURLINGTON - The 16th-ranked Iowa Central softball team showed signs of breaking out late in the opener with Southeastern here Thursday.

And that is exactly what they did in the nightcap.

The Tritons rallied in the first game by scoring six runs in the seventh, coming up short, 8-7. They followed that up with a commanding 10-3 victory that included another six-run frame.

Madysen Lange, a former all-stater for Humboldt, hit her first college home run, clearing the bases with a grand slam. Lange went 2-for-3 with three runs, a stolen base and a walk while Laila Pelds also hit a homer in the second game, driving in three and working two walks.

"That was just a great moment for Mady," Iowa Central head coach Bo Tjebben said. "She's been hitting the ball hard all season so it was great to see her get rewarded with a home run, and a grand slam at that."

Loghen Schnetzer, a Fort Dodge Senior High grad and former all-stater, had two RBI, a run scored and two walks. Abbie Thilges also drove in a run and had a stolen base with Carlie Thompson and Mikhaela Muir also stealing bases.

"Loghen just continues to hit the ball all over the field," Tjebben said. "We really came out in that second game and got after it. A couple hits in that first one and we could have won that one too, but for our first time playing on dirt, it was a great learning experience."

That was enough support for Madison Huisman, as she pitched all five innings, striking out seven with three hits allowed.

Thilges had two hits and drove in two runs in the opener with Schnetzer collecting three hits. Muir hit a homer and drove in three with Allyson Stewart collecting two hits. 

Iowa Central returns to action on Friday, heading to Illinois Central for a doubleheader.

-By Dana Becker