Wedeking is No.1 with 18 wins

OTTUMWA - Kori Wedeking is making a big impression with the Kirkwood softball team as a freshman.

Wedeking tossed a four-hitter for her 18th victory Saturday as the Eagles topped Indian Hills, 9-1, in the first game of an ICCAC doubleheader in Ottumwa.

Indian Hills took the second game, 1-0, with a no-hitter.

Wedeking (18-2) leads all NJCAA Division II pitchers in the nation with her 18 victories. She allowed one earned run with four strikeouts and no walks.

Austyn Crees belted a grand slam in the first inning when Kirkwood jumped to a quick 5-0 lead. Peggy Klingler and Angie Gorkow also homered in the opener.

Crees was 2-for-4 with her four RBIs. Emilee Linder scored twice and hit a triple.

Payton Akers (9-4) was the hard-luck loser when the Eagles dropped the nightcap, 1-0. She pitched all six innings with 11 strikeouts, one walk and one earned run.

The seventh-ranked Eagles are 32-9 overall and 21-5 in the conference. Indian Hills is 29-9 overall and 21-7 in the league.