Sydney Albaugh belted two home runs Friday as Kirkwood smashed  Ellsworth, 15-1, in five innings in the first round of the regional  softball tournament at Kirkwood.

The seventh-ranked Eagles (45-13) will face 20th-ranked NIACC (29-16)  in the winners bracket finals Saturday at 2 p.m.

Albaugh went 2-for-3 with her two homers and four RBIs. Lauren Kuch  was 3-for-4 with a double, home run and six RBIs. Taleah Smith was  2-for-3 and scored twice. Shelby Hulsebus and Rachel Stewart also  scored twice. Lauren Klaahsen hit a solo home run.

Erin Hocker (24-7) and Bradee Bouman shared the pitching. Hocker ranks  second in the country with her 24 victories, just one victory behind  the national leader.

Ellsworth      000 10 - 1 6 0
Kirkwood       344 4x - 15 12 0

Hoffman, Smith (3) and Aulwes. Hocker, Bouman (4) and Butler. W -  Hocker (24-7). L - Hoffman (7-16). 2B - Hulsebus, Kuch, Jackson,  DeWitte. HR - Kuch, Albaugh 2, Klaahsen. RBI - Hulsebus, Stewart, Kuch  6, Albaugh 4, Klaahsen, Butler, DeWitte. SB - Barthelman, Smith.