Kirkwood Claims Region 11-A Title, Advances to World Series
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Region 11-A Tournament started with #1 Kirkwood and #8 Ellsworth going head-to-head in game one.
Kirkwood jumped out to a 2-0 lead and controlled the game the rest of the way in an 8-3 victory. Catcher Mischa Reiners and second baseman Breckin De La Rosa each blasted three-run homers. Shortstop Taylor Dieterich added two RBIs to her name, as well. For Ellsworth, designated player Jolene Jordahl hit a homer to keep the Panthers in the game.
In game two, #4 NIACC faced off against #5 Iowa Lakes in a close one. Trojans Ally Wall, Katie Riesselman and Aubrey Chapman all homered to give NIACC a 5-4 victory. Iowa Lakes second baseman Katie Kvigne and pitcher Macy Pickett added an RBI and double to lead the Lakers.
On Saturday, Ellsworth and Iowa Lakes started with a high scoring affair that saw the Panthers on top 9-6. Third baseman Melanie Khounsourath smashed a homer and a double while driving in four to lead the Panthers offense. Jordahl tallied two RBIs while getting the win in the circle. The Lakers saw strong contributions from right fielder Korilynn Christians and Karlee Akers, who both drove in two runs.
In game four, Kirkwood faced NIACC, and the story of the game was Libby Trewin in the circle for the Eagles. The standout pitcher went seven innings, allowed two hits, a run and struck out 10 batters. De La Rosa and right fielder Shannon Finn both had homers on offense.
Wall had the lone RBI for the Trojans. The final game on Saturday ended with another stellar pitching performance, this time from NIACC's Wall, who went seven innings, allowing four hits and zero earned runs en route to a 6-2 win advancing them to the championship game against Kirkwood. Khounsourath had a double and an RBI to lead the Panthers offense.
On Sunday, Kirkwood did what it has done all year. They shut down NIACC's offense and belted the ball on offense leading to a 11-3 victory.
The top five hitters in the Eagles lineup went 7-for-14 (.500) with 10 RBIs, 3 homers and zero strikeouts. Trewin delivered another solid pitching performance with six innings, six hits, two earned runs and eight strikeouts. NIACC catcher Emma Wall and second baseman Mya Bunkers added homers for NIACC to keep their offense afloat.
With the championship victory, Kirkwood punched their ticket to another NJCAA Division II Softball World Series.
Friday, May 1
Game 1 - #1 Kirkwood def. #8 Ellsworth, 8-3 - Box Score - Archived Video
Game 2 - #4 NIACC def. #5 Iowa Lakes, 5-0 - Box Score - Archived Video
Saturday, May 2
Game 3 - #8 Ellsworth def. #5 Iowa Lakes, 9-6 - Box Score
Game 4 - #1 Kirkwood def. #4 NIACC, 8-1 - Box Score
Game 5 - #4 NIACC def. #8 Ellsworth, 6-2 - Box Score
Sunday, May 3
Game 6 (Championship) - #1 Kirkwood def. #4 NIACC, 11-3 (6 inn.) - Box Score - Archived Video
Kirkwood receives automatic bid to NJCAA World Series.