Sophomore Sydney Kennedy picks up two wins as DMACC defeats KCC in both games of a doubleheader

·         The losses are the first two of the season in conference play for Kirkwood 

·         Kennedy also hits a two-run homer and pitches a complete game in the opener for the Bears, who are ranked ninth in the nation

The DMACC softball team improved to 33-7 overall and 10-4 in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) by sweeping a doubleheader from nationally-ranked Kirkwood Community College (KCC) April 14 at the KCC softball diamond in Cedar Rapids. The losses were the first two by KCC in conference play, after starting the season at 16-0.

Sydney Kennedy's hitting and pitching led DMACC to a 4-1 victory in the first game. The Peosta sophomore pitched a complete game, two-hitter. She improved to 16-2 while striking out 10. In addition, she hit a two-run homer as the Bears scored all four of their runs in the first inning.  

DMACC, ranked ninth in this week's National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II poll, also defeated KCC, ranked 12th in the same poll, in the second game of the doubleheader, 4-2 in nine innings.

DMACC scored two runs in the top of the ninth and held KCC scoreless in the bottom half of the inning to sweep the doubleheader.  Sophomore Emily Ades of Boone had three hits, including a double for the Bears.  Sophomore Kaylynn Salyars of Muscatine, sophomore Kennedy and freshman Kelsey Palmer of Cedar Rapids each had two hits. 

Freshman Courtney Donahue of Marshfield, WI started the second game for the Bears, going four and two thirds innings, allowing five hits and two earned runs while recording three strikeouts.  Freshman Lauryn Foudree of West Des Moines pitched one and a third innings in relief, giving up a lone hit with two strikeouts.  Kennedy came in to pitch for the Bears in the bottom of the seventh and picked up her 17th win of the season and second win of the day.  She pitched three innings giving up one hit while striking out seven. 

Kennedy, Ades sophomore Kendal Clark of Humboldt each had extra base hits for DMACC in the second game.  

The DMACC softball team will again play Kirkwood Community College (KCC) in a doubleheader April 17 at Cedar Rapids. KCC, which is ranked 12th in NJCAA Division II, leads the ICCAC with a 16-2 record. The Eagles are 33-12 overall.