By Justin Ites

Ellsworth Community College rebounded from an opening loss versus rivals Marshalltown Community College with a pair of victories to win the series.

The Tigers (11-39, 6-17) put together three big offensive innings to win the first game by a score of 20-1, but the Panthers responded to take game two, 12-9 and game three, 15-5.

MCC plated seven in the first and five in the second to take a big lead. They added eight more runs in the fourth, as the game ended in five, 20-1.

ECC starting pitcher Zander Leick gave up 11 runs - five earned - and recorded just four outs in the game.

Eric McGill hit a solo homer - his 15th of the season - to account for the only run for the Panthers.

Both pitching staffs walked nine batters apiece during game two. MCC tied the game at 9-9 with three runs in the eighth, but ECC (21-27, 12-11) was able to push across three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. That sealed a 12-9 victory in nine frames.

Gavin Doll and Jacob Koerselman both homered during that win, and Aidan Martin was 3-5 with three runs knocked in.

The hosts took control of game three by scoring nine runs in the bottom of the second. That outburst gave ECC a 10-1 lead and they finished off a 15-5 victory.

Panther starter Tripp Rawlings went the distance, allowing five runs on six hits in seven innings. He struck out nine and did not walk a batter.

Offensively, Dillon Carlson and Lucas Bruhl smacked home runs. Carlson was 3-3 with and added a pair of doubles and 4RBI. McGill was also 3-4 with an RBI.

ECC will play a nine-inning single game at Northeast Iowa on Wednesday before ending the regular season at Iowa Central Friday and Saturday.

For more on ECC Athletics, visit https://www.timescitizen.com/sports/ecc/