- Sophomore Erin Ades drives in four DMACC runs
- Sophomore Kierra Jungers allows four hits and strikes out 11 batters
- Bears will face ICCAC rival Kirkwood CC in the quarterfinals
Sophomore Erin Ades of Boone drove in four runs with a pair of singles and sophomore Kierra Jungers of Fonda scattered four hits and struck out 11 batters as the DMACC softball team handed Pima Community College (PCC) a 6-0 loss in a first-round game in the 2026 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Softball World Series today at Tyger River Park in Spartanburg, S.C.
The win was the 21st straight for the Bears, who improved to 55-10 overall. DMACC, the tournament's No. 9 seed, will face Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) rival Kirkwood Community College (KCC) in a quarterfinal matchup May 21 at 1 p.m. (CDT).
Freshman Mackenzie Mohler of West Des Moines gave DMACC a 1-0 lead when she belted a solo home run in the top of the third. The Bears made it a 3-0 game in the top of the fifth when Ades singled up the middle, scoring Mohler and sophomore Macee Reiling of Dallas Center.
Sophomore Mo Purdy of Des Moines hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, driving in sophomore Morgan Neuroth of LeGrand as the Bears opened up a 4-0 lead and Ades singled into left field scoring Mohler and Reiling again and giving DMACC a 6-0 lead.
Sophomore Bri Tigges of Urbandale sparked the Bears' 13-hit attack with three singles and Neuroth, Mohler, Ades and freshman Cali Richards of Des Moines had two hits apiece. Reiling accounted for DMACC's other extra-base hit with a double.
Jungers improved to 24-6 with the win. In addition to allowing four hits and striking out 11 batters, she issued one walk.
KCC, the tournament's No. 1 seed, advanced to the quarterfinals with an 11-3 win over Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). The Eagles won three of four games against the Bears during the regular season.
The tournament continues through May 24 at Tyger River Park in Spartanburg.