Reivers Split the Day; Still Alive in NJCAA Softball World Series

Oxford, AL - 17th-seeded Iowa Western Softball sustained their first loss of the 2024 NJCAA D1 Softball World Series, falling to #1 McClennan, 10-2.  

The Reivers fell behind early in the first inning when the Highlanders (58-2) struck for 6 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning off of starter Madeline McCall and Kendra Mitchell.  Mitchell would give up just one run in the next two innings but the nations top-ranked team plated one more in the 3rd and three more in the bottom of the 4th to take a 10-0 lead.  

Iowa Western would find two runs in the top of the 5th on an RBI double from sophomore Catcher Cydnee Schneider followed by an RBI single by Alex Stoner, but it was too little, too late as the Reivers moved to the elimination side of the bracket.

The Reivers (41-18) came out swinging just a few hours later against Connors State, scoring one run in the 2nd inning then plating 4 runs in both the 3rd and the 4th frames to give IWCC a 9-0 win over the Cowgirls.  Iowa Western out-hit CSCC 14-5 in just 5 innings of play, Ella Fitzpatrick, Allie Cromer, Schneider, and Stoner each with a pair of hits for the Reivers with Stoner adding 3 RBI.

Sophomore right handed pitcher Erin Kirkland (10-5) went the distance, scattering 5 hits, while striking out 3 Connors State batters to earn the win. Kirkland becomes the first Reiver in program history to record both a win and a save in the NJCAA D1 Softball World Series after recording the final five outs yesterday vs Lake Land College

Iowa Western advances to play San Jacinto at 9:00 am tomorrow morning at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, AL.  IW is 4-8 versus the Ravens since 2013, last defeating them in 2015, 6-3.  All games from here on out can be seen on ESPN+.