NIACC falls to Kirkwood, 13-5

CLINTON - The NIACC baseball team dropped a 13-5 decision in eight innings to Kirkwood in the second round of the NJCAA Region XI tournament Friday afternoon at Ashford University Field.

NIACC took a 5-3 lead after seven innings as Shane Kelleher stole home to tie the game and Ben Komonosky gave the Trojans a 5-3 lead with a double.

Kirkwood, however, scored 10 runs in the eighth inning and held the Trojans scoreless in the bottom half of the inning to advance via the eight-run rule.

NIACC (36-19-1) plays Iowa Central at 9 a.m. on Saturday in an elimination game. Kirkwood plays Southeastern in the winner's bracket final at 3 p.m. Saturday.

In Friday's game, Kirkwood pitchers held NIACC to five hits over eight innings. Sophomore designated hitter Bryce Ball was 2 for 3 and scored one run.

NIACC starter Brandon Williamson pitched seven-plus innings allowing seven runs on eight hits with 10 strikeouts and three walks.

Williamson became NIACC's career strikeout leader with 151. He passed Dan Loats (2015-16), who was the career leader with 148. Williamson also became the all-time single-season strikeout leader at NIACC with 104 passing Derek Lieurance (1016), who had 96.

NJCAA Region XI tournament

Wednesday's play-in game

Northeast CC 11, Iowa Lakes 9

Thursday's results

Ellsworth 8, Iowa Central 7

Kirkwood 9, DMACC 1 (8)

NIACC 7, Northeast CC 2

Friday's results

Southeastern 16, Ellsworth 8 (8)

Kirkwood 13, NIACC 5 (8)

DMACC 11, Northeast CC 3 (8)

Saturday's games

9 a.m. - Iowa Central vs. NIACC (elimination game)

Noon - DMACC vs. Ellsworth (elimination game)

3 p.m. - Southeastern vs. Kirkwood

Note - Two elimination games are set for noon and 3 p.m. on Sunday with the championship game set for 6 p.m. Sunday. If necessary, a second championship game will be played at noon on Monday.