A little “snowball” was just right for the Vermilion Ironhawks.
As snow began to fall Wednesday afternoon in Aurora, the community college softball team warmed up its bats.
A key two-run single by former Ely Timberwolf Aubree Gerlovich helped fuel Vermilion’s comeback, as the Ironhawks erased a 5-2 deficit and stunned Itasca 8-5 to complete a Northern Division sweep.
Freshman Brooklyn Hager pitched the Ironhawks past the Vikings 5-4 in the opening game, and Vermilion (3-11) had its best day of the season.
It came as the spring sports teams battled winter- like elements, with temperatures falling into the low 30s and snow beginning to fall on the artificial turf at Aurora.
The Ironhawks trailed 5-2 going into the fifth inning of the nightcap, and Mikalay Mihajlovich scored on an Ashley Liebl double to close the gap.
Later in the inning, Gerlovich’s single tied it up, and the Ironhawks went ahead when Tori Anderson reached based on an error.
Adrianna Pena and Liebl opened the sixth with backto- back hits, and both came around to score important insurance runs.
That was enough cushion for Pena, who worked an inning- and-two-thirds of relief to get the win.
Liebl finished three-forfour with three runs scored, and Gerlovich wound up with two hits for the Ironhawks.
Mihajlovich scored twice and Pena was two-for-four.
In the opening game, Vermilion pounced with three early runs and Hager went the distance in the circle, winding up with a four-hitter and 12 strikeouts to record the victory.
Liebl kickstarted her big day with two hits, Pena doubled in a run, and Autumn Walker had two hits with a run scored.
Mihajlovich singled and scored a run for Vermilion, while teammate Amie Strange singled in a run.
Weather permitting, the Ironhawks return to action Tuesday with a rematch against Itasca.
