#16 Eagles Soar Through Opening Weekend, Secure Four Consecutive Wins
Liberal, KS- The 16th-ranked Kirkwood Eagles traveled southwest to Liberal, KS this past weekend to kick off their season with a 4 game stretch against the Seward County Saints.
The first game of the series, played on Friday afternoon, saw a fiery start from Seward County, who jumped ahead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. However, Kirkwood quickly turned the tide, rallying with a total of six runs between the 3rd and 5th innings to seize control of the game, leading 6-4 going into the 6th. Owen Ross and Ethan Bowers provided offensive firepower for the Eagles, each launching a home run. Bowers and Jaxon Schumacher contributed two RBIs apiece to propel Kirkwood to a 7-5 victory. Pitcher Andrew Carroll set the tone with an impressive performance, recording seven strikeouts in four innings pitched.
In the second game of the Friday doubleheader, the Eagles once again found themselves trailing early, but they quickly rebounded with a dominant offensive display. A pivotal three-run 2nd inning followed by an explosive six-run 3rd inning propelled Kirkwood to a commanding 10-3 lead going into the 4th inning. Addison Binnie led the offensive charge with an outstanding five RBIs, including his first home run of the season. Brayden Hellum, Owen Ross, and Seth Winkler also contributed with doubles as the Eagles cruised to an 11-4 victory.
Saturday's matchups showcased Kirkwood's consistency and determination as they secured two more wins. In the first game, despite falling behind once again, the Eagles rallied with a three-run 2nd inning to seize the lead. Addison Binnie continued his stellar performance with two doubles, while Jaxon Schumacher added two RBIs of his own. Pitcher Jackson Payne delivered a solid performance on the mound, tallying six strikeouts over five innings. Kirkwood's solid defense proved crucial as they clinched a 5-2 victory.
In the series finale on Sunday, the Eagles maintained their dominance, holding off Seward County with a stellar defensive effort. While the Saints managed to score a lone run in the bottom of the 7th inning, Kirkwood's defense remained steadfast, securing a 4-1 victory. Brayden Hellum provided an exclamation point with a home run in the weekend finale.
With a red-hot start to the season, the Kirkwood Eagles are poised for success as they head to Mississippi next weekend. Facing East Central and Wallace State in two doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday, Kirkwood aims to carry their momentum forward and continue their winning streak on the road.
