Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Sophomore Cailyn Hardy of Iowa Central connects for a long home run on Friday against Iowa Lakes at Rogers Park. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Ahead of Sophomore Day, the 12th-ranked Iowa Central softball team received some key contributions from their second-year players in a doubleheader sweep of Iowa Lakes on Friday at Rogers Park.

Scores were 8-0 in five innings and 12-8.

Jayda Long surpassed 100 strikeouts on the season, and fellow sophomore Cailyn Hardy started the game with a leadoff homer that cleared the scoreboard for the Tritons (39-6 overall, 17-4 in the ICCAC).

A five-run third inning helped break the game open. Carly Ryan finished with two hits, an RBI and a run scored. Kyra Kaine and Avery McKinney each drove in a run.

“It was great to pick up two more wins in a stacked conference,” ICCC head coach Bo Tjebben said. “Anyone can win at any time in our league.”

Long, who is now 18-3 on the year, has 108 strikeouts this season and 195 for her career. She recorded 10 strikeouts vs. the Lakers, allowing just three hits without a walk.

“Jayda pitched well in the opener,” Tjebben said. “In the second game, we got some timely hits when we needed them.

“We got down a couple times and were able to come back.”

Holding a three-run advantage in the sixth inning of game two, freshman Gracie Kirk went deep for a two-run homer, pushing the lead to 12-7. She went 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored in the win.

Reagan Enright also went deep in the nightcap, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Bre Nolte was 3-for-3, scoring three times. Kain drove in five on her three hits, while also coming home twice.

Jadeyn Stahr and Jaidan Abel combined for seven strikeouts from the pitcher’s circle, as Abel picked up her second win of the season.

The current Triton sophomores have gone 76-27 over the last two seasons, including a 27-11 record at home. With a victory on Saturday, Iowa Central will reach the 40-win mark for the first time since 2019.

The Tritons have won 19 of 21 overall.

First pitch in Saturday’s doubleheader vs. Ellsworth is set for 1 p.m. Sophomores Hardy, Nolte, Brittany Tufvesson, Sydney Wilson, Stahr, Ryan, Enright, Kaylee Cary, Long, Emma Hoyle, Kennedy Palmer and Abagail Winter will be honored.