Kirkwood softball headed back to nationals after pair of district romps

CEDAR RAPIDS – For a handful of Kirkwood softball sophomores, the memory of a short-lived trip to nationals last season still resonates.

Armed with a power-packed lineup and stingy pitching, the fourth-ranked Eagles are returning with a 32-game win streak in tow.

Freshman Maddie Hansen hit a pair of two-run home runs in the first game, then added two doubles and three RBIs in the second as Kirkwood claimed a pair of five-inning routs over Dawson (Mont.), 10-2 and 15-3, and advanced to the NJCAA Division II national tournament with the District 11 championship.

'I just came into today, came into warmups and I was feeling good,' said Hansen, who prepped at Cedar Rapids Jefferson. 'I just looked for my pitch and took advantage when I got it and tried to make the most of it to score my teammates that got on base for me.'

Hansen finished the opener 3 for 3 with five RBIs, while freshman Lexi Ferrari added four hits and drove in three runs.

Nicky Simpson (28-2) notched the victory in the circle in the first game.

Hansen's first-inning sacrifice fly started the scoring in the second game for Kirkwood (56-4). With the Eagles ahead 3-0 after two innings, Hansen started a nine-run third inning with a double. Kirkwood sent 13 batters to the plate and Hansen delivered a two-run double in her second at-bat of the frame. Ferrari added a two-run single and it was clear there would be no 'if necessary' game on Saturday.

'Let's keep your foot on the throttle and take care of business and don't leave any doubt is all we've been talking about all week,' Kirkwood Coach Joe Yegge said. 'We went through a span there about two weeks where we were bored. They played like it and there was no excitement. I think about the last week they finally realized that they are getting there and it's time to go.'

The scoring explosion extended the Eagles' lead to 12-0, which allowed former Clear Creek Amana prep Lexi Kinnaird a stress-free outing the rest of the way.

The Eagles posted a seven-run third inning in both games.

'They've been great all season, getting hits, scoring runs, lots of runs,' said Kinnaird, who improved to 24-2 this season. 'So it definitely makes it easier on us pitchers, too.'

Division II Triple Crown threat Taylor Nearad of Solon laced an opposite-field, three-run home run in the second game, while Morgan Frost laced four hits and drove in four runs.

Kirkwood is in the national tournament for the second year in a row and fourth time in six years.

The tournament begins May 18 at Clinton, Miss.

'Last year you could tell that none of the girls had been there,' Yegge said. 'We're going to rely heavily on sophomores this year about keeping it cool, keeping it calm, don't make it bigger than it is. It's still softball, it's still a game and they've had a tremendous year. We're just going to ride it out and see what happens.'

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