Metro Sports Report

Hocker nets both wins as Eagles sweep

FORT DODGE - Erin Hocker collected both victories in the circle Friday  as the fifth-ranked Kirkwood Eagles swept Iowa Central, 5-0 and 7-6,  in an ICCAC conference doubleheader in Fort Dodge.

Hocker picked up her 19th and 20th victories, tying her for third-most  in the country.

Hocker (20-7) tossed a six-hit shutout in the 5-0 triumph in the  opener. London Jackson belted her 17th home run, the fourth-most  homers in the country this season. Randyn Carter hit her seventh homer  and drove in two runs. Shelby Hulsebus had two hits. Jackson scored  twice.

Hocker pitched three innings in relief to get the victory in the 7-6  triumph in the nightcap. Kirkwood scored twice in the top of the  seventh to snap a 5-5 tie and take a 7-5 lead, then Hocker got out of  trouble in the bottom of the seventh after Iowa Central scored a run.

Berdecia stars as Mustangs sweep

MARSHALL, Mo. - Tito Berdecia had a big day at the plate Friday as the  Mount Mercy Mustangs slammed Missouri Valley, 15-4 and 9-2, in a Heart  of America Conference doubleheader.

Berdecia went 5-for-8 with four runs, eight RBIs, three doubles and a  home run as the Mustangs raised their records to 24-20 overall and  15-13 in the conference. Missouri Valley fell to 15-25 overall and  9-16 in the league.

Berdecia went 3-for-4 with three runs, five RBIs, a double and his  fifth homer  in the 15-4 cakewalk in the opener. Kobi Kandaroma was  2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs. Corbin Day was 2-for-3 with three  RBIs. Collin Shrader also had two hits in a 15-hit attack. Nick  Sueppel drove in two runs.

Dylan Campbell (6-4) pitched five innings for the victory in Game 1.

Menster nets 12th win for Mustangs

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Tawny Menster collected her 12th victory and drove  in three runs Friday as the Mount Mercy softball team split a Heart of  America Conference doubleheader with Evangel.

Menster (12-3) pitched a complete game as the Mustangs won the opener,  6-2. Evangel took the nightcap, 9-3.

The split left Mount Mercy at 29-19 overall and 20-14 in the  conference. Evangel is 21-23 overall and 12-20 in the league.

Jess Heick went 3-for-4 for Mount Mercy in Game 1. Jessica Miller was  2-for-3 and scored twice. Payton Bruner had two doubles and Menster  drove in two runs to help her own cause.

Petersen leaving KCC for Jackrabbits

Bryan Petersen, one of the top young basketball coaches in the country, apparently has decided to leave Kirkwood Community College to become an assistant coach at South Dakota State.

No official announcements have been made by South Dakota State or Kirkwood, but the Metro Sports Report has confirmed from numerous sources that the move will happen.

Petersen has declined comment.

Kirkwood athletic director Doug Wagemester has confirmed that Petersen probably will be leaving and that the Kirkwood players have been informed about the impending move.

Petersen, 31, led the Eagles to the NJCAA Division II national title this season with a 31-4 record. He also led Kirkwood to the national title in 2016, giving him two championships in four years. He was named the NJCAA Division II National Coach of the Year both times.

Doug Wilson, the national Player of the Year at Kirkwood this season, has signed to continue his career at South Dakota State, so Wilson and Petersen will be united again.

The Jackrabbits are an NCAA Division I program that competes in the Summit Conference. Petersen and Eric Henderson, the new head coach at South Dakota State, know each other from their days at Iowa State.

Henderson worked for the ISU program when Petersen played for the Cyclones as a junior and senior from 2007-2009.