By Marissa VanWingen

Ellsworth Community College traveled to basement dwelling Central Community College on Monday and ended a 16-game losing skid. The Panthers picked up a pair of close wins by 4-3 and 5-4 counts.

The visitors scored a three run lead in the top of the first and held on to the advantage, despite the Raiders (13-32, 5-25) coming back and cutting the deficit to 4-3 in the sixth frame. Offensively ECC recorded eight hits – including dingers from Jolene Jordahl and Melanie Khounsourath. Khounsourath added three RBI to her total. Jordahl was 2-4 at the dish with a double to go with her home run.

Jordahl got the win in the circle, allowing eight hits, three runs, four walks and striking out two in six innings of work. Millicent Wurst came in for the save in the final inning and gave up one hit, walked one and fanned three.

The Panthers (21-31, 7-23) were down 4-3 heading into the seventh inning where they scored two runs to take the game from the hosts. The bats really came alive in the second game as the Panthers rocked the Central pitching staff for 12 hits. Jordahl was a perfect 4-4 with a pair of doubles and three runs scored. Khounsourath (2-4) and Emmalee Bell (2-4) both had multiple hits in the contest.

Wurst threw a complete game and allowed four hits, walked three and struck out 12 in the victory.

The regular season is winding down with just four series left and eight games - six of which will be played at Legion Field.

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