Kirkwood Softball Charges Through Region 11-B Tournament to Claim Title
FORT DODGE, Iowa – The Kirkwood softball team captured the Region 11-B Championship in Fort Dodge over the weekend, winning four of five games in a determined postseason run that featured explosive offense and clutch pitching.
The tournament began on Friday, May 2, with the third-seeded Eagles earning a 5-1 win over sixth-seeded Northeast. Kiya Johnson delivered the big blow with a three-run homer in a four-run third inning, while Jessa DeMoss was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete game two-hitter.
In their second game, Kirkwood fell in a close 3-2 battle against top-seeded Iowa Central. Despite strong outings from Kiya Johnson and Mischa Reiners, who each tallied multiple hits, the Eagles couldn't hold off the Tritons, who scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh.
Facing elimination, Kirkwood bounced back later that same day with a 12-4 run-rule win over Ellsworth to advance to Sunday's final day. Brenna Ross sparked the offense with a grand slam, and the Eagles drew 12 walks in a game where every starter reached base. Carley Cavanagh earned the win in relief with two shutout innings.
On Sunday, Kirkwood needed two wins over Iowa Central—and they got both. In the morning rematch, the Eagles jumped out early and held on for an 11-9 victory. Sophia Kreutner crushed a grand slam, Brenna Ross went 4-for-5, and Kiya Johnson recorded the save with 1.2 scoreless innings to force a decisive title game.
Kirkwood sealed the Region 11-B crown with a statement 15-9 win in the championship. Mischa Reiners went a perfect 5-for-5 with two RBIs, Jenna Thurm homered and drove in three, and Kiya Johnson added three hits and two RBIs while also earning the win in the circle. Jessa DeMoss threw 4.1 innings of scoreless relief to close it out.
Kirkwood will now play Central (Neb.) in the Northwest Plains-A District Championship in a best-of-three series in Columbus, NE on May 9th.
