NO.6 KCC SOFTBALL TEAM ENJOYS FAST START

ENID, Okla. - The sixth-ranked Kirkwood softball team opened its season with a four-game feast in Oklahoma this weekend.

The Eagles outscored their four opponents, 48-8, and belted seven home runs.

Kirkwood began the season Saturday by sweeping Clarendon, 10-1 in five innings and 16-3 in five innings.

All-American Payton Akers struck out 10 batters in Game 1. Emilee Linder hit a triple and drove in three runs. Alecea Mendoza also had three RBIs and Austyn Crees drove in two runs. Peggy Klingler and Chelsea Buck had two hits.

Kara Maiers picked up the victory in Game 2 Saturday with five strikeouts in three innings. Buck went 3-for-3 with a double, two homers and five RBIs. Klingler had a triple and three RBIs. Reagan Schutte was 2-for-2 with a home run. Grace Lubben had two hits.

The Eagles enjoyed another big day Sunday by sweeping Northern Oklahoma, the host school, 12-4 in six innings and 10-0 in five innings.

All-American Kori Wedeking struck out nine batters in the opener. Klingler went 3-for-4 with a home run. Lubben was 2-for-3 with a homer. Neveah Hildenbrandt was 3-for-4.

Maiers collected her second victory with three shutout innings in the nightcap. Linder belted a home run and drove in three runs. Klingler was 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Crees went 2-for-2.