Pitching Gems Send Eagles to World Series

MetroSportsReport.com

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - DoniRae Mayhew pitched a no-hitter and Natalie Halvorson followed with a perfect game Thursday as the fifth-ranked Kirkwood Eagles dominated Nebraska Central, 10-0 and 9-0, to win the district softball title in Nebraska.

Kirkwood (48-11) earned a spot in the NJCAA Division II World Series for the fourth straight year and for the sixth time during Joe Yegge's 11 seasons as head coach.

The national tournament will be held in Clinton, Miss., from May 16-19.

Mayhew (20-3) struck out five batters in the first game, which ended after five innings due to the college mercy rule.

Halvorson (25-8) did not allow any runners to reach base in the second game, which ended in the bottom of the sixth inning on a three-run walk-off homer by Monika Bevans.

Kenady Waugh went 3-for-3 with a triple and scored three runs in the 10-0 victory in Game 1. Rachel Stewart, Mayhew, Lauren Kuch, Bevans and Skylar Ryan had two hits. Kuch had three RBIs.

Waugh went 3-for-3 again in the 9-0 verdict Game 2. Bevans was 3-for-4 with a double, her 16th homer and three RBIs. Ryan drove in two runs. Hannah Mausser had two hits.

Nebraska Central finished the season with a 20-21 record.