#9 Eagles Take Series 2-1 Over Hawks
Norfolk, NE- The 9th-ranked Kirkwood Eagles traveled to Norfolk this past weekend to take on the Northeast Hawks (who are receiving votes in the national poll). The Eagles went 2-1 on the weekend, putting themselves at 3-3 in the ICCAC.
In the first game against the Hawks, Kirkwood got off to a quick start, scoring two runs in the top of the first. Cal Sullivan had two RBIs in the game and Ethan Bowers had two hits in his four at-bats, adding in one RBI of his own. However, the pitching is what would be the difference in the game for the Eagles. Andrew Carroll started on the mound for Kirkwood and pitched a complete game. Over the 7 innings, he gave up 7 hits, 0 runs, and had 2 strikeouts.
The second game of the series was a defensive battle for the first 4 innings with no runs scored. Both teams opened the game up in the 5th. Kirkwood had 4 runs in the top of the 4th and Northeast put up 2 of their own in the bottom of the inning. Cal Sullivan continued putting up RBIs, contributing two more this game. Miles Risley was the only Eagle with multiple hits, putting up 2 in his 4 at-bats. Going into the 8th inning, Kirkwood maintained its 4-2 lead, however, the Hawks would score 5 runs in the bottom of the inning putting the game out of reach and winning by a score of 7-4.
The rubber match third game would prove to be a back-and-forth affair but once again, pitching would prove to be the big difference. 4 Eagles registered multiple hits (Bowers, Hellum, Binnie, and Ross) with Addison Binnie going yard against the Hawks. Devin Doyle came in for relief and pitched 6.3 innings to close the game, only giving up 2 hits, and striking out 11 in his outing.
The Eagles are back at it again this Wednesday as they welcome Indian Hills to Cedar Rapids at 1 PM.
