May 26, 2021
Akers lifts Eagles at national tourney
OXFORD, Ala. - Payton Akers pitched a strong game Wednesday night as the Kirkwood Eagles defeated St. Louis, 4-1, in a consolation game at the NJCAA Division II softball tournament at Choccolocco Park.
Kirkwood (54-11) is scheduled to face Mississippi Gulf Coast (35-15) in another elimination game Thursday at 2 p.m.
The Eagles were blanked by Louisburg College of North Carolina, 3-0, in the quarterfinals Wednesday evening. Ellen Palya pitched a one-hitter with 13 strikeouts for Louisburg.
The loss to Louisburg dropped Kirkwood into the losers bracket, but Akers (20-4) sparkled in the circle to keep the Eagles alive. She tossed a six-hitter with nine strikeouts in the face of elimination.
Sydney Albaugh went 2-for-4 with three RBIs for Kirkwood. Austyn Crees also drove in a run for the Eagles.
If Kirkwood defeats Mississippi Gulf Coast at 2 p.m., the Eagles will face either Phoenix or Highland Thursday at 6 p.m.
Eight of the 16 teams that began the tournament were alive heading into Thursday, with all eight of the top seeds still chasing the national crown.
Kirkwood is the No. 6 seed and Mississippi Gulf Coast is the No. 7 seed.
