Carter helps No.7 Eagles belt Southwestern

Randyn Carter missed a few games at the start of the season this year while recovering from COVID-19, but she's making up for lost time now.

Carter blasted a pair of home runs as the Kirkwood softball team blanked Southwestern, 9-0, in the first game of a doubleheader at the Kirkwood field Saturday.

The seventh-ranked Eagles grabbed the nightcap, 11-3. Both games ended early due to the eight-run mercy rule.

Carter socked a three-run homer to give Kirkwood a 5-0 lead in the first inning of the opener, then lined a two-run homer to the same spot in left-center in the fifth inning to finish the contest.

Sydney Albaugh roped a two-run double in the bottom of the first inning to get things started in the opener. 

Kori Wedeking tossed a two-hit shutout in the first game, with two strikeouts and one walk. Wedeking has a 7-1 record and 1.43 record this season.

Olivia Richards collected a double, home run, and three RBIs for Kirkwood in the second game of the twin bill. She also made a sensational diving catch in the first game and fired to first base for a double play.

Payton Akers (3-1) pitched a complete game in the nightcap with nine strikeouts.

Kirkwood raised its records to 13-4 overall and 2-0 in the conference. Southwestern fell to 6-8 overall and 0-2 in the league.

It was the home opener for Kirkwood. The same teams meet again Sunday in a doubleheader at noon.