MASON CITY – The NIACC softball team returns to action Sunday at home against No. 6 Kirkwood.
The first game is slated to start at 1 p.m.
The NIACC/Southwestern doubleheader scheduled for Saturday at home was postponed until May 1.
“We are looking forward to playing Kirkwood at home on Sunday,” NIACC coach Tyler Sisco said. “Having played them once already, our team feels like we can have success if we control the things we can control.”
Kirkwood (32-3 overall) is second in the league with a 10-0 mark. No. 8 DMACC (25-1) leads the league with a 12-0 mark.
Kirkwood swept NIACC 8-0 and 6-0 earlier this season in Cedar Rapids.
Kayla Tatge, a sophomore, leads the Eagles with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs.
With the inclement weather around the state, NIACC has played eight games this month.
“The extra time off the playing field due to the weather has allowed us to get extra reps in in practice,” Sisco said, “but nothing beats the timing and confidence that players get from game competition. It is what it is and we have no control over that.”
NIACC/KIRKWOOD SERIES NOTES
Records: NIACC is 7-11 overall and 2-8 in the ICCAC. Kirkwood is 32-3 overall and 10-0 in the league. Last time out: NIACC split a DH with Iowa Lakes on April 16. Kirkwood topped Kishwaukee College 20-0 and Mineral Area College 4-0 on April 14. Last season: Kirkwood swept NIACC in a DH 21-3 and 13-5.
ON NIACC
Lady Trojan leaders at the plate: Average: Hailey Eckstein .482; Hits: Eckstein 27; 2B – Eckstein 5; 3B – Beth Mildenhall 1, Eckstein 1; HR – Cassie Pappas 8; RBIs – Pappas 18; SB – Eckstein 6; Runs – Pappas 15.
Lady Trojan leaders in the circle: Wins – Nicole Duford 4-7; Strikeouts – Duford 49; ERA – Duford 3.90; Innings pitched – Duford 66 1/3.
ON KIRKWOOD
Eagle leaders at the plate: Average: Halylee Krack .451; Hits: Kristen Winter 43; 2B – Leah Duffe 11; 3B – Krack 1, Kadrenna Sales 1; HR – Kayla Tatge 19; RBIs – Tatge 50; SB – Sales 17; Runs – Tatge 45, Duffe 45.
Eagle leaders in the circle: Wins – Amber Logemann 8-2; Strikeouts – Logemann 189; Innings pitched – Logemann 90 1/3.
NIACC’s record when …
Overall 7-11
ICCAC 2-8
Home games 1-1
Away games 1-7
Neutral 5-3
March 5-5
April 2-6
Extra innings 2-0
Scores 0-2 runs 0-7
Scores 3-5 runs 1-2
Scores 6-9 runs 3-2
Scores 10+ runs 3-0
Allows 0-2 runs 4-0
Allows 3-5 runs 2-4
Allows 6-9 runs 1-4
Allows 10+ runs 0-3
Hit 0 home runs 3-7
Hit 1 home run 2-1
Hit 2+ home runs 2-3
Out hit opponent 7-1
Out hit by opponent 0-8
Hits tied 0-2
Made 0 errors 1-1
1 error 4-3
2+ errors 2-7
