After leading the Eagles to a seventh place finish at the NJCAA Division II National Tournament, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has named the Kirkwood Community College softball coaching staff as NJCAA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
Led by fourth-year head coach Joe Yegge and assistants Nikki Price and Bre Milnes, the Eagles completed the season with a 54-11 overall record.
Finishing the regular season with a 22-2 conference record, Kirkwood entered the Region XI tournament with the top seed. The Eagles defeated Marshalltown, Iowa Lakes and Iowa Central Community College en route to their 11th Region XI championship title in school history.
The women went on to sweep Central Community College (NE) in the District F Championship three-game series to earn a spot in the national tournament.
Kirkwood continued its perfect postseason run, posting a 1-0 win over Highland Community College (KS) in game one of the national tournament. The Eagles streak was snapped with a 5-1 loss to Pasco-Hernando Community College (FL), sending the women to the consolation bracket. After defeating Mineral Area Community College (MO) 8-0, Kirkwood’s season came to an end with a 1-0 loss to East Central Community College (MS).
Yegge and his staff, along with south region winner LSU-Eunice, and east region winner Mercyhurst North East, are now eligible for National Coaching Staff of the Year, which will be announced by the NFCA on June 13.