WATERLOO - Ethan Howard pitched a strong game Friday night to help Kirkwood stay alive in the NJCAA regional baseball tournament.

Howard tossed a complete game and allowed only five hits as the 18th-ranked Eagles topped Southwestern, 7-1, in a loser's bracket game at the regional tournament at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo.

Kirkwood (35-19) is scheduled to face DMACC or Southeastern in an elimination game Saturday at 4 p.m.

Kirkwood was scheduled to face Southwestern at 1 p.m. Friday, but the game was delayed until 7:30 p.m. due to rain. The tournament is two games behind schedule and will resume Saturday at 10 a.m.

Brandon Brittain went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs for the Eagles. Jack Fitzgerald was 2-for-3. Bryce Grimm, Matt Paciello and Colin Kreiter collected RBIs for Kirkwood.

Howard (7-3) threw 108 pitchers in the nine-inning game. He allowed one earned run with five strikeouts and one walk.

Kirkwood was upset by Ellsworth, 3-1, in the opening round on Thursday.