By: Dana Becker 

Messenger Sports Staff 

The Iowa Central softball team put a cap on an extended sophomore weekend by pushing their win streak to nine in a row Monday evening.

For the second consecutive day, the Tritons swept Northeast here at Rogers Park by scores of 11-2 and 14-2 in five innings.

"As we wind down the regular season and gear up for the conference tournament, it is great to be playing like this," ICCC head coach Bo Tjebben said. "It was especially important to do it for these sophomores. This is a great group and I have really enjoyed being able to coach them.

"To pick up four wins here (Sunday and Monday) and keep this win streak going, it is a big credit to those girls."

In the opener, Iowa Central (26-21-1 overall, 11-9 in ICCAC) jumped on the board with a five-run first, adding three more in the second before closing it out early on a three-run homer by Amber McKinney.

Sydney Ballard, who came into the day with either a hit or a walk in 15 consecutive at-bats, drove in three runs like McKinney with a homer, recording two hits and scoring twice. Olivia Harmon also had two hits, stole two bases and scored a pair of runs, while Myra Megli drove in two.

Former Humobldt star Jori Hajek stole three bases and scored twice, and Morgan Weeks was 2-for-3 with a run, an RBI and two steals. Riley Gilroy scored three runs and drew a pair of walks.

That was more than enough support for Taylor Lee, as she allowed just four hits with five strikeouts from inside the circle.

"We're just really seeing the ball throughout the lineup right now," Tjebben said. "Girls are getting on, putting pressure on the defense and our pitching has stepped up."

In the nightcap, McKinney and Gilroy started things off with back-to-back homers in the opening inning, while Ballard and Megli also had back-to-back shots in the fourth. Gilroy collected her second home run of the game in the same inning.

Gilroy was 4-for-4 with four runs and four RBI, McKinney had three hits, as did Gabriella Taber and Weeks. Weeks drove in three more runs and Katelyn Dennis tossed a two-hitter.

"It's just been a lot of fun this year," Tjebben said. "The girls are having a great time and we just want to continue playing really good softball to close out the season."

The Tritons will play their final home games this Wednesday at 4 p.m. with a doubleheader vs. Morningside JV. They conclude the regular season this weekend with four games in Boone vs. Des Moines Area.