NJCAA places Kirkwood Softball high in preseason rankings
A memorable 55-win season last year helps boost the Kirkwood Community College softball team to the top of the NJCAA Division II preseason poll. The 2011 season begins in familiar territory for the Eagles with a No. 2 ranking in the poll, the same position the women finished in last season’s poll.
“To be ranked number two in the country is a tremendous honor. It is a testament to the tradition that has been built at Kirkwood and shows what last year’s and this year’s sophomores have done for the program,” said Head Coach Joe Yegge.
Kirkwood comes in behind NJCAA Division II National Tournament runner-up Kankakee Community College. The defending Iowa Community College Area Conference (ICCAC) Champion Kirkwood Eagles are joined by conference foe Iowa Central Community College grabbing the No. 15 spot in the preseason poll.
With a No. 13 preseason ranking last season, Kirkwood quickly proved they were a better team. The women began the season with a 19 game win streak before coming up short against Iowa Central. Twelve of the 19 games were shutouts, totaling a school record 27 shutouts last season. Shortly after, the women broke an additional school record with 25 consecutive wins.
“We know the ranking is only a number. It just means we must work harder and be prepared for all of our opponents best efforts when they play for us. To be honest, the only number I am worried about is what we are ranked at the end of the season,” said Yegge.
The Eagles spent the entire 2010 regular season ranked in the top 10, finishing with a remarkable 55-6 record and a No. 2 ranking. The 2011 season gets underway on March 5 with an indoor tournament hosted by Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) in Rochester, Minnesota.