Eagles Capture Region 11-A Championship, Punch Ticket to NJCAA World Series
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA- The #1 Kirkwood Eagles are headed back to the NJCAA Softball World Series.
Kirkwood defended its home field this past weekend in Cedar Rapids, winning the Region 11-A Tournament with victories over Ellsworth and NIACC to secure a spot in Spartanburg, South Carolina at Tyger River Park. The Eagles opened the tournament with an 8-3 win over Ellsworth on Friday before defeating NIACC 8-1 in the semifinals and 11-3 in six innings in the championship game.
The Eagles wasted little time getting their offense rolling in the tournament opener against Ellsworth. Mischa Reiners powered the lineup with a three-run home run, finishing with three RBIs, while Breckin De La Rosa also launched a three-run homer in a 2-for-3 performance. Taylor Dieterich added two RBIs, and Kinsley Theobald collected a double and scored a run.
Carley Cavanagh remained dominant in the circle, improving to 18-0 on the season after tossing a complete game with six strikeouts while allowing just three runs. Reese Stockman added a double and scored twice as the Eagles pulled away late with a three-run fifth inning and two more runs in the sixth.
Kirkwood carried that momentum into Saturday's semifinal matchup against NIACC, collecting 12 hits in an 8-1 victory.
Shannon Finn led the offense with a home run and three RBIs, while Kinsley Theobald went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base. Breckin De La Rosa added another home run and drove in two runs, while Camryn Johnson tripled and drove in a run of her own.
Taylor Dieterich scored twice and added an RBI, while Macie Fisher and Reese Stockman each contributed hits as the Eagles steadily built separation throughout the game.
Inside the circle, Libby Trewin delivered another dominant postseason outing, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out 10 in a complete-game performance to improve to 26-2 on the season.
The Eagles saved their biggest offensive performance for the championship game on Sunday, defeating NIACC 11-3 in six innings to officially clinch the Region 11-A title.
Mischa Reiners starred in the championship clincher, going 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Kinsley Theobald added a two-run homer and finished with two hits, while Breckin De La Rosa homered again and drove in another run.
Addison Ohda collected two RBIs, Shannon Finn doubled and drove in two runs, and Ella Trenkamp added an RBI hit as Kirkwood scored in every inning but one.
Libby Trewin earned the championship game victory after striking out eight over six innings, allowing just three runs as the Eagles secured the region championship on their home field.
With the Region 11-A Championship secured, Kirkwood now awaits its seeding for the NJCAA Softball World Series and will soon head to Spartanburg, South Carolina to compete for a national championship at Tyger River Park.
