Kirkwood sweeps Iowa Central for Region 11-B softball tournament title

FORT DODGE – Kirkwood softball experienced déjà vu.

For the second straight year, the Eagles avenged a postseason loss to keep their season alive with a sweep over Iowa Central.

After falling to the Tritons on Saturday, Kirkwood stormed to an early lead and held on for an 11-9 victory in Game 1 and erased a six-run deficit for a 15-9 comeback victory to win the NJCAA Region 11-B tournament Sunday at Rogers Sports Complex.

The Eagles (48-15) rebounded with three straight elimination game wins, including the final two against the Tritons (47-10).

“We really challenged the young ladies (Saturday) night,” Kirkwood Coach Eric Frese said. “We challenged everybody to earn their Eagle wings and step up a little bit when it came to pitching and defense and offensively. Holy cow, did they answer the call.”

Kirkwood advances to the district best-of-3 series, facing Central (Neb.) Community College Friday and Saturday at Columbus, Neb. The winner qualifies for the national tournament May 19-24 at Oxford, Ala.

The Eagles scored more runs in Sunday’s two games (26) than they did in the five previous meetings (22) this season.

“It’s great,” said freshman Mischa Reiners, who went 5-for-5 with a double and triple, two runs and two RBIs. “We all played together, which is the main thing we’ve been wanting to do.”

Iowa Central took control, breaking open a tight game with a seven-run third inning for a 9-3 lead. The Eagles chipped away with four in the fourth and obtained the lead for good with three in the fifth.

“It was really unique,” Frese said. “This group, in particular, has kind of struggled all year when they’re behind. For the first time this year. Our leadership was awesome. Our freshmen really stepped up and it just didn’t faze them.

“It started with a couple base runners. There was just a different feel in that dugout. … The mindset of our hitters was completely different today (Sunday).”

Kirkwood capitalized on control problems for two walks to open the fifth and scored a run on an error. Breanna Ross tied the game with an RBI single and Reiners made it 10-9 with a line-drive single to plate Rachael Schlotter.

“It was just nice for us to remember we are scoring runs,” Reiners said. “We know we can hit the ball. Just let it happen. Let her come to you. They weren’t throwing a ton of strikes either. We were just picking out our pitch and letting it happen.”

Kirkwood received a two-run home run from Jenna Thurm in the sixth to pad the lead. Kinsley Theobald smacked a two-run triple in the seventh, scoring Reiners and Kiya Johnson for more insurance.

The Eagles tallied 19 hits, including three from Johnson. Ross, Theobald and Peyton Johnson had two apiece for Kirkwood.

Reiners said the Eagles had struggled, taking at-bats pitch by pitch. She said they tried to force things in Saturday’s meeting but remained patient Sunday.

“We just let it happen,” Reiners said. “It was fun.”

Reiners, a former Iowa City Liberty all-stater, made a big offensive contribution this weekend. She had six total hits Sunday and finished with 10 hits and five RBIs during the regional.

“We put in a lot of work and it helped me out this weekend,” Reiners said. “Just stayed calm and made her throw me a strike that I can hit. Calm and relaxed.”

Freshman Jessa DeMoss, who started the first game, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings to close the game and earn the victory. She allowed just one hit, struck out three and walked none.

Kirkwood built a 9-0 lead through three innings of Game 1 and held on to force the “if” game. Ross batted 4-for-4. Sophia Kreutner belted a grand slam in the top of the first for the Eagles. Kiya Johnson and Reiners drove in two runs apiece, while Peyton Johnson and Thurm each had two hits.

Central is 20-27, beating North Platte (Neb.) Community College, 7-3, for the final the Region-IX A title.

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