In 10 innings, the Kirkwood Community College baseball team captured the 2021 ICCAC D11 conference championship with a win over Iowa Central 9-6.
The 2021 ICCAC D11 conference champs trailed 6-0 at one time. However, the Eagles scored 2 runs in the seventh. Then, Kirkwood tied the game at 6-6 in the ninth inning to force extra innings.
In the top of the 10th inning, the Eagles would score 3 runs to edge out the Bears 9-6. Trevor Burkhardt and Josh Fitzgerald were both hit by a pitch. Alex Pendergast got on base thanks to an error and the Eagles took a 7-6 lead in the 10th inning.
Joel Vaske had a base hit to take an 8-6 lead and another error by Iowa Central to put Kirkwood`s lead at 9-6. The Bears could not score any runs in the bottom of the 10th and the Eagles took the 2021 ICCAC D11 Conference championship.
Jake Matthaidess got the start for the Eagles and pitched for 4 innings. He allowed 9 hits, 6 runs, 6 errors and 3 walks. Matthaidess also had one strike out.
Sam Goodman relieved Matthaidess and pitched for 0.2 innings. Goodman allowed 1 hit and had 1 strike out. Tyler Tscherter got the win and pitched for 5.1 innings. Tscherter is now 6-1 on the season. He had 2 strike outs and allowed 4 hits.
Josh Fitsgerald, Trevor Burkhart, Alex Pendergast, Joel Vaske, Chase Moseley, Cade Moss and Justin Martinez all had RBI`s in the win.
For Iowa Central, Ben DeTaeye got the start for the Bears. He pitched for sixth innings and allowed 2 runs. DeTaeye had 11 strike outs. However, he had 8 walks and 2 errors.
Matthew Wilkinson came in for DeTaeye and lasted 2 innings. Wilkinson allowed 2 hits 2 runs, 2 errors and 1 walks. He had 2 strike outs in the loss. Easton Dermody also pitched for the Bears and was in for 0.2 innings. Dermody allowed 1 hit, 2 runs, 2 errors and 4 walks. Although, he did finish with 2 strike outs.
Kai Reum closed the game for Iowa Central and allowed 3 runs. He had 2 strike outs, 1 error and 1 hit. Reum got the loss and is now 2-3 after the game.
SS Devin Hurdle had the only homerun for Iowa Central and drove in 2 RBI`s. Ben Gallaher, Ryan Wickman and Ben DeTaeye also drove in RBI`s in the loss vs Kirkwood.
The Eagles are now just two games away from the NJCAA World Series in Enid, Okla., scheduled for May 29-June 5. Kirkwood baseball is now 40-20 and will play Miles Community College on May 21.
