May 7, 2023
EAGLES CLAW WAY TO REGIONAL SOFTBALL TITLE
The Kirkwood Eagles won three straight elimination games and captured the regional softball title Sunday with a dramatic 2-0 victory over Iowa Central at Kirkwood.
Sara Heick delivered a two-run, pinch-hit single with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning to snap a scoreless battle. Kara Maiers(15-8) pitched a masterful seven-hit shutout and allowed only one earned run in 19 1/3 innings in the three-day tournament.
The Eagles (41-16) will host a two-team district tournament this week, with the district champion advancing to the Junior College national tournament.
Kirkwood lost to Iowa Central, 3-2, on Friday and needed two victories over the Tritons during the weekend for the championship. The Eagles delivered, but not without a string of anxious moments.
Iowa Central grabbed an early 6-0 lead in the first championship game Saturday, but Neveah Hildebrandt got Kirkwood back in the game with a grand slam in the bottom of the second. The Eagles grabbed a 7-6 lead in the fourth inning, with Sydney Roe collecting a big two-run single. Sailor Hall had two hits and two RBIs in the comeback.
Maiers pitched shutout ball for 5 1/3 innings in relief for the victory.
Sunday's battle was a classic pitcher's duel between Maiers and Riley Gilroy of Iowa Central, with both hurlers escaping dangerous situations and putting zeroes on the scoreboard.
Kirkwood loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Heick entered the game as a pinch-hitter and dropped a two-run single into short left field, driving in Peggy Klingler and Hall.
Iowa Central put two runners on base in the top of the seventh, but Maiers got the final two outs on an infield pop-up and ground ball.
Kirkwood blanked Ellsworth, 10-0, in an elimination game Saturday. Hildebrandt and Hall hit three-run homers, with Hall hitting a walk-off homer in the bottom of the fifth. Jenna Sprague (9-4) pitched a four-hit shutout for the victory.
Shortstop Annie Gahan went 7-for-10 in the tournament.
