FORT DODGE - The fourth-ranked Kirkwood softball team needs to win three straight games at the NJCAA Region XI tournament to keep its hopes alive of reaching the national tournament.

The Eagles lost to DMACC, 5-1, in the winner's bracket final Saturday and now have to come back through the loser's bracket at the regional meet in Fort Dodge.

Kirkwood (51-7) will play Marshalltown in the loser's bracket final Sunday at 1 p.m. If the Eagles beat Marshalltown, they'll reach the championship round against DMACC and will have to beat them twice in the double-elimination tournament.

The first championship game is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. A second championship game, if needed, would be played Monday at 1 p.m.