EAGLES CLINCH 3RD AT SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES

OXFORD, Ala. - The Kirkwood Eagles have clinched third place at the NJCAA Division II World Series with a remarkable string of victories at Choccolocco Park.

If the Eagles win their next game on Sunday, they'll be playing for the national title.

Kirkwood claimed three straight victories Saturday with triumphs over Danville (9-1), top-ranked DMACC (4-1) and Northwest Mississippi (9-5) to earn a date against Murray State in the losers bracket finals Sunday at noon.

The Eagles have won four straight elimination games and have compiled a 5-1 overall record in the tournament to join Murray State and Phoenix College as the only teams still alive out of 16 teams in the World Series.

The latest victory came Sunday night when Kirkwood, seeded No. 7, exploded for seven runs in the top of the sixth inning against No. 5 Northwest Mississippi to wipe out a 5-2 deficit and grab a 9-5 lead. Payton Akers (20-9) pitched 3.1 scoreless innings in relief for her third victory in the tournament.

Kirkwood began the World Series with a 7-6 victory over Bryant & Stratton in a game that began Tuesday night and was finished Wednesday night due to rain. The Eagles then lost to Phoenix, 11-3, on Friday, but bounced back the same day with an 8-0 verdict over Triton.

That set up the remarkable performance Saturday with three more victories, including the 4-1 slaying of conference rival DMACC to eliminate the Bears.

Akers has compiled a 3-1 record at the World Series, while Kori Wedeking (21-5) has the other two victories in the historic run.

Peggy Klingler has belted four home runs and collected 11 RBIs in six games. Grace Lubben has belted two homers and there have been stars up and down the lineup.

Emilee Linder went 3-for-4 in the victory over Northwest Mississippi Sunday night. Alecea Mendoza, Lubben and Austyn Crees had two RBIs. Neveah Hildebrandt and Mendoza had two hits for Kirkwood (49-16).