March 28, 2024

Kirkwood sweeps Southwestern

Southwestern Community College’s softball games with Kirkwood were moved up from Saturday to Friday over the weekend, and the Eagles swept the Spartans with wins of 12-0 and 8-3.

Walks plagued the Spartans in both games, as Kirkwood took advantage of the extra baserunners.

On the other side, Southwestern’s bats struggled to get going. The Spartans managed just three hits in the 12-0 opening loss.

“They’re a very good hitting team,” Southwestern head coach Lindsay Stumpff said about Kirkwood. “I think our problem is we get stuck in a hole right away and we just can’t fight to get that back. It’s like the air is taken out of our sail or something.

“Pitching seems to be the problem with us. We give up too many walks at inopportune times. A team like Kirkwood is going to take advantage of it. They run the bases well when they get people on.”

Freshman Brennan Banks recorded two hits in the opening game, while Mel Stevens had Southwestern’s only other hit.

In the second game, Kirkwood built an 8-0 lead before Southwestern rallied for three runs in the fifth inning. But that was all Southwestern could manage.

Banks and Stevens each recorded a hit in the game, with Lexi Herbert and Katrina DeVore adding one apiece.

The Spartans travel to Southeastern today for a doubleheader. Southwestern was scheduled to host Central Columbus (Neb.) on Tuesday, but with it being the last day for conference games, the Spartans had to reschedule a doubleheader at Iowa Central for Tuesday.

Southwestern, 22-14 overall and 11-11 in ICCAC Division II play, is locked into fourth place in the conference.

The Spartans host Graceland at 2 p.m. Wednesday.