Kirkwood Pitcher Amber Logemann
Amber Logemann, Haylee Krack and Kayla Tatge make prestigious squad
Three Kirkwood Community College Eagles softball players gained national recognition for helping their squad finish with the best record in team history. As one of the final National Junior College Athletic Association Division II teams standing, the Eagles compiled a record of 57-5 and led the nation in multiple statistical categories. Three players, Amber Logemann, Haylee Krack and Kayla Tatge, were at or near the top of multiple national categories and named First Team All-Americans by the NJCAA.
Logemann, a freshman pitcher, led the nation in both strikeouts (356) and earned run average (.58). In 33 appearances, she compiled a record of 25-3 with 24 complete games and 15 shutouts. She averaged 13.82 strikeouts per game, including a 19-strikeout performance versus Southwestern Community College, a mark that set the team record for most strikeouts in a game. Logemann is currently choosing between a handful of Division I schools for the next stop in her career.
“Amber’s work ethic was the best I have seen,” said Head Coach Joe Yegge. “That’s the reason she was so successful. It doesn’t surprise me that she had so much success. I feel she was one of the best pitchers coming out of that senior class last year. But for her to lead in ERA as a freshman is remarkable. We saw her learn how to pitch last fall against Wisconsin. She learned fast that she wouldn’t be able to get away with things she did in high school. She’s a very intelligent player.”
Krack, a sophomore third baseman, hit .398 for the season and finished fourth in the nation in both homeruns (19) and runs batted in (72). She was also seventh in the nation with 142 total bases. Krack will continue her career at Division I Southeast Missouri State University.
Tatge, a sophomore utility player, led the nation in homeruns with 25, which also gave her the Eagle’s career record with 45. While boasting a .402 batting average, she also finished ranked in the top 10 nationally in walks (second), total bases (fourth), runs batted in (fifth) and runs (seventh). Tatge will transfer to St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, next season.
“Those two (Tatge and Krack) were obviously amazing players for us,” said Yegge. “They had bigger numbers than I ever imagined and are not going to be able to be replaced. They were their own unique individuals.”
The First Team All-American Team includes 13 players. Kirkwood tied Cowley Community College for the most players named to the squad, with three.
In addition to the three All-Americans, some of their teammates will also be continuing their careers at other colleges and universities. Infielder and Cedar Rapids Xavier alum Kristen Winter will be playing for Luther College next fall. Catcher Shelby Crist, from Prairie High School, will be moving on to Upper Iowa University.