COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Iowa Western won its fourth straight Region 11 championship against Indian Hills this past weekend, sweeping the Warriors in two low-scoring games.

In game one, both pitchers were locked in a duel until the top of the fourth inning. Indian Hills came through with two runs before Iowa Western responded with a run of its own in the bottom half of the inning. Reiver relievers Easton Roth and Brynner Waiolama combined for five shutout innings from the fourth inning on, allowing three hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. The Iowa Western offense came alive with a home run from Kane Wilson and doubles from Nolan Geislinger and Martin Serrano.

In game two, Indian Hills got out to a 3-1 lead behind timely hitting and a strong pitching performance from starter Yuan-Kai Chang, who finished with six innings pitched, four hits allowed, one unearned run and eight strikeouts. After Chang exited the game, Iowa Western's offense came alive.

In the bottom of the eighth, Kayden Anderson scored on an RBI double from Charlie Kalbrenner to tie the game at 3 before Wilson delivered the swing of the season for Iowa Western. He smashed a two-run homer to give the Reivers a 5-3 lead heading into the ninth. Waiolama entered the game and shut the door to secure the title and send the Reivers to the Midwest District Championship.

Iowa Western will play Wabash Valley in the first game of the district championship this week, with a chance to advance to the NJCAA World Series for just the second time since 2019.

Region 11 Championship (Best of Three)

Council Bluffs, Iowa - Iowa Western Community College

Thursday, May 7

Game 1 - #1 Iowa Western def. #2 Indian Hills, 6-2 - Box Score
 

Friday, May 8

Game 2 - #1 Iowa Western def. #2 Indian Hills, 5-3 - Box Score

Iowa Western wins seres 2-0. Advances to Midwest District Tournament @ Region 24A.