Eagles Bounced From World Series
MetroSportsReport.com
ENID, Okla. - Coach Todd Rima's club was eliminated at the NJCAA Division II World Series on Sunday by Scottsdale, 9-8, in a losers bracket game at David Allen Memorial Ballpark.
Kirkwood began the tournament as the No. 3 seed, but the Eagles lost to No. 6 Madison in the opening round Saturday and fell to No. 7 Scottsdale in the consolation bracket.
Kirkwood committed seven errors and blew a 9-1 lead in an 18-9 loss to Madison, then the Eagles walked six batters, hit four others and committed three more errors against Scottsdale.
Kirkwood's first trip to the World Series since 1999 ended in frustration with a 42-17-1 overall record.
The Eagles trailed, 9-6, Sunday heading into the bottom of the ninth, but they scored twice to pull within 9-8 and had the bases loaded with two outs when Taylor Jackson struck out to end the game.
Kirkwood out-hit Scottsdale, 16-10, but all those free bases came back to haunt them.
Cal Stalzer got the start for Kirkwood and lasted three innings, allowing four runs (two earned). Cameron Cowan pitched one inning in relief and took the loss, allowing two runs. Cameron Leff tossed the next four innings and allowed three runs, and Jake McLaughlin pitched a scoreless ninth inning to give his team a chance.
Hunter Lee did not pitch in the World Series for Kirkwood. He threw 131 pitches in a key victory against Southeastern in the regional tournament and threw 132 pitches against Southeast Nebraska in the district finals, but he did not get the ball in Oklahoma.
Izaya Fullard went 4-for-5 Sunday for the Eagles and hit a solo home run in the ninth inning. Chili Moseley was 3-for-4. Fullard and Spencer Wiskus had two RBIs. Fullard, Ross Kramer and Moseley scored twice.
Alex Gonzales and Ryan Phillips hit home runs for Scottsdale, which raised its record to 30-31.
Kirkwood will be hit hard by graduation, leaving Rima with a major rebuilding job for 2019.
Scottsdale 310 202 001 - 9 10 1
Kirkwood 112 000 202 - 8 16 3
W - Hess. L - Cowan.
