Fitzgerald swats 3 HRs as Eagles split

CRESTON - Josh Fitzgerald belted three home runs Sunday as the Kirkwood Eagles split an ICCAC doubleheader against Southwestern in Creston.

Fitzgerald socked his first homer in an 8-6 loss to the Spartans in the first game of the twin bill.

Fitzgerald collected two round-trippers when the Eagles buried Southwestern, 25-0, in the nightcap.

Kirkwood went 3-1 in the four-game series, raising its records to 7-8 overall and 3-1 in the conference.

The first game was tied, 6-6, heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Spartans scored twice for the 8-6 victory.

Alex Pendergast went 3-for-3 in the opener for Kirkwood. Andrew Nord was 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs. Cade Moss was 2-for-3. Fitzgerald drove in two runs.

Kirkwood was sitting on a 9-0 lead in Game 2 when they exploded for 16 runs in the top of the eighth for the 25-0 conquest.

Fitzgerald finished 4-for-6 in the nightcap with four runs, five RBIs and two home runs. Chase Moseley was 4-for-5 with four runs and three RBIs. Kyle Moeder went 3-for-5 with three runs, three RBIs, and a homer for the Eagles.

Joel Vaske was 2-for-4 with three runs, four RBIs, and a home run. Pendergast was 2-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs. Trevor Burkhart was 2-for-3 with three runs.

Frankie Cresta (2-0) picked up the victory in relief with 3 2/3 hitless innings and four strikeouts.