No. 8 Eagles seeking to host regional
The eighth-ranked Eagles have a showdown with 17th-ranked NIACC in Mason City Sunday as both teams battle to host an NCJAA Division II regional that will be held May 10-12.
Kirkwood (21-5) has a one-game lead over NIACC (20-6) heading into the final two games of the regular season on Sunday. The Eagles need a split to host the regional, but NIACC would host the regional if the Trojans sweep the twinbill from Kirkwood.
Erin Hocker (22-7, 1.84 ERA) and Bradee Bouman (18-6, 3.07) tossed the two-hit shutouts against Iowa Lakes. Hocker struck out seven batters and walked one. Bouman had one strikeout and one walk.
Kirkwood shortstop Rachel Stewart went 4-for-6 in the doubleheader with four runs and five RBIs, along with a triple, her fifth home run, and two stolen bases.
London Jackson went 2-for-3, drove in two runs and belted her 18th home run in the 8-0 victory in Game 1. She is tied for third in the country with her 18 round-trippers.
Lauren Klaahsen and Autum Barthelman had two hits in the opener. Lauren Kuch drove in two runs. Shelby Hulsebus and Jackson scored twice.
Stewart was 3-for-3 in the second game with three runs, four RBIs, a triple and her home run. Kuch drove in two more runs. Jayme Finn was 2-for-2 and scored twice. Sydney Albaugh hit her second home run and Randyn Carter belted her eighth.
Hocker is tied for third in the country with her 22 victories.
Kirkwood raised its overall record to 42-13. Iowa Lakes fell to 15-33 overall and 6-20 in the conference.
GAME 1
Iowa Lakes 000 00 - 0 2 x
Kirkwood 300 41 - 8 11 1
Hocker and Butler. W - Hocker (22-7). HR - Jackson. RBI - Hulsebus, Stewart, Kuch 2, Jackson 2, Klaahsen, Barthelman. Sac - Hulsebus. SB - Hulsebus, Stewart 2, Smith, Carter.
GAME 2
Iowa Lakes 000 00 - 0 2 x
Kirkwood 330 3x - 9 9 0
Bouman and Barthelman. W - Bouman (18-6). 2B - Finn. 3B - Stewart. HR - Stewart, Albaugh, Carter. RBI - Stewart 4, Kuch 2, Albaugh, Carter, Finn. SF - Kuch. SB - Hulsebus, Barthelman, Finn.
