Kirkwood, DMACC split top-10 softball showdown

CEDAR RAPIDS — The matchup didn’t disappoint.

Seventh-ranked Kirkwood hosted No. 9 Des Moines Area Community College in an Iowa Community College Athletic Conference softball doubleheader Wednesday that needed extra innings to decide both games. The Eagles opened with a 2-1 victory in eight innings. The Bears answered with an 8-7 win in eight innings for a split.

Kirkwood’s Brenna Ross played a vital role in Game 1. Ross hit a base hit to center, scoring pinch-runner Natalie Vitek with the game-winning run with two outs.

The rally started with a walk to Lexi Hines, who gave way to Vitek. Peyton Johnson’s infield single moved Vitek into scoring position to set up Ross’ heorics.

Ross went 4-for-4 in the opener and drove in both Eagles runs. Ross tied the game, 1-1, in the sixth with an RBI double to knock in Rachael Schlotter.

In Game 2, former Cedar Rapids Prairie prep Hannah Ironside tallied two hits, including a solo home run, and former Cedar Rapids Jefferson prep Kelsey Palmer added two hits and a run for DMACC.

Bella Nelson reached on a fielder’s choice after Ironside led off the eighth with a single. Elle Nelsen followed with a walk and Palmer loaded the bases with a single to left field. Nelson scored when Hilary Wilson beat the throw to first to avoid an inning-ending double play on her grounder to second base.

The Eagles did put the tying run in scoring position but reliever Macy Blomgren induced a flyout to end it. Blomgren pitched four innings and earned the win.

Schlotter and Sophia Kruetner paced Kirkwood with three hits apiece in the nightcap. Ross, Johnson and Sydney Roe each had two hits for the Eagles. Roe added a team-high three RBIs.

Kirkwood moved to 41-11 overall and 22-2 in the ICCAC. DMACC is 37-9 overall and 20-4 in the conference.

The Eagles head to Mason City Saturday for a doubleheader against North Iowa Community College.

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