Kirkwood’s Taylor Nearad
Eagles advance to national tournament after incredible season
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (May 7, 2016)-The Kirkwood softball team won the first two games of a best of three series against Dawson Community College (Mont.) in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II District H Tournament on Friday. The fourth-ranked Eagles now move on to the national tournament in Clinton, Mississippi on May 18-21.
Kirkwood (56-4) outscored Dawson 10-2 in the first game followed by a 15-3 victory to seal the district title. The Eagles players had many outstanding contributions over the two games, and were led by catcher Maddie Hansen who was 5-for-6 including two home runs and eight RBIs.
Head Coach Joe Yegge’s squad is in the midst of yet another phenomenal season. The Eagles are currently on a 32-game win streak. In addition, many of his players either lead the nation or are in the top ten in various statistical categories. After winning the regional championship last weekend, six different players earned first team All-Region honors and outfielder Taylor Nearad was named Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Three other players were named second team All-Region while two were honorable mentions.
Adding to the success of the season, Yegge won his 500th game as a head coach on April 23 versus Northeast Community College. Yegge, in his ninth season as the head coach at Kirkwood, has an overall record of 510-221 with 424 wins and 91 loses with the Eagles.
Following the district title, the team advances to the NJCAA Division II National Softball Tournament in Clinton, Mississippi on May 18-21.
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