#16 Eagles Battle in Decatur
Decatur, MS- The 16th-ranked Kirkwood Eagles embarked on a challenging road trip to Decatur, MS, over the weekend, facing off against formidable opponents in 10th-ranked East Central and Wallace State. Despite some ups and downs, the Eagles showcased their resilience and determination throughout the series.
In their first matchup against East Central on Saturday afternoon, Kirkwood got off to a promising start, taking an early lead in the top of the 3rd inning. However, East Central mounted a strong comeback, scoring 12 runs between the 4th and 7th innings to secure the win. Miles Risley delivered a solid performance with two hits for the Eagles, while Owen Ross led the team with two RBIs.
In the second game of the day against Wallace State, Kirkwood once again jumped out to an early lead, going up 1-0 in the top of the first inning. Despite Wallace State tying the score in the bottom of the 3rd, both teams engaged in a defensive battle from the 4th to the 7th innings. After a run was scored by each team in the 8th, the game headed into extra innings. Kirkwood managed to plate a run in the top of the 10th inning, securing a hard-fought victory. Brayden Hellum led the offensive charge with three hits, while Kolton Lyman delivered a stellar performance on the mound, pitching six innings, allowing just two hits and one run while tallying eight strikeouts.
On Sunday, Kirkwood faced off against Wallace State once again in another tightly contested matchup. Despite a strong defensive effort from both sides, Wallace State managed to edge out the Eagles with a 2-1 victory. Kirkwood matched Wallace State's run in the top of the 6th inning, but ultimately fell short as Wallace State responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning.
In their final game of the weekend against East Central, Kirkwood encountered a tough challenge as East Central shut down the Eagles with a convincing 10-0 win.
Looking ahead, the Eagles are eager to bounce back from their mixed results as they prepare for their next series in Belleville, IL. With a three-game stretch against Southwestern Illinois on the horizon, Kirkwood aims to regroup and showcase their resilience as they continue their quest for success on the diamond.
