By: Messenger Sports Staff 

The Iowa Central softball squad came up just short of a split against No. 11 (NJCAA Div. II) Kirkwood on Saturday at Rogers Park.

The Eagles rallied with three runs in the top of the seventh to prevail in the nightcap, 11-10. Kirkwood (30-9 overall, 14-0 in the ICCAC) remained unbeaten in league play, after the visitors also took the opener, 14-6.

Riley Gilroy and Amber McKinney combined to go 9-for-10 at the plate in game two for the Tritons (15-18-1, 4-6). Gilroy was a perfect 5-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. McKinney went 4-for-5 and drove in three, scoring twice.

Gilroy and McKinney both doubled twice. Leadoff hitter Olivia Harmon was 2-for-5 with a run scored.

Former Humboldt standout Jori Hajek walked twice and drove in a run. Iowa Central plated four runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to take a 10-8 lead, but couldn't hang on.

An eight-run third inning was more than enough for the Eagles in the first contest. Sydney Roe, Kirkwood's clean-up hitter, homered three times and drove in seven.

Myra Megli socked a three-run longball for the Tritons. McKinney drove in a pair, and Gilroy scored twice.

Iowa Central again hosts Kirkwood on Saturday at Rogers Park. Game times are set for 1 and 3 p.m.