IOWA FALLS – The Tigers needed five home runs, two from sophomore Bennett Lopez, and 15 hits to get the job done Thursday night against Ellsworth Community College, ending in a 13-6 win.

Lopez slammed a lead-off home run in the first and Tony Salato drove in Joel Rosauer to give Marshalltown CC (29-18, 10-10 ICCAC) a 2-0 lead. Rosauser also connected on a two-run homer, bringing in Diogen Ceballos with the hit.

Noel Diaz went to the mound, allowing two baserunners in three innings pitched. But a home run in the fourth and scored five runs, taking a 6-5 lead against the Tigers.

JJ Stephens relieved Diaz in the fifth with two out and pitched 2.1 scoreless innings. The Tigers would go on to score eight unanswered runs off the bats of Enmanuel Lopez, Hunter Embray and Bryan Ventura.

Stephens earned the win and sophomore Colton Blackford went two innings, giving up zero runs and striking out four batters including three in the eighth inning.

The Tigers will play Indian Hills Community College at home for a four-game series this weekend, starting today at 1 p.m. at Shawn Williams Field. Sunday’s doubleheader starts at noon and will host sophomore day, recognizing the second-years for their time at Marshalltown CC.