MASON CITY - Ross Kramer had socked only one home run all season for the Kirkwood Eagles heading into Friday's doubleheader at NIACC, but that changed dramatically.
Kramer belted three homers and knocked in six runs as the Eagles topped NIACC, 10-6, in the first game of their ICCAC conference doubleheader at Mason City.
NIACC rallied to win the second game, 3-2, in 10 innings, but the split was good enough to lift Kirkwood into a tie for the conference lead with six games left in the race.
Kramer, a freshman from Urbandale, collected a grand slam and two solo shots in the first game. Spencer Wiskus, a freshman from Iowa City, also hit a homer and drove in four runs for the Eagles.
Porter Hummel picked up the victory with five innings in relief.
Kirkwood led, 2-0, heading into the bottom of the ninth in the second game, needing three outs to sweep the twinbill and take over sole possession of first place in the league. NIACC scored twice in the bottom of the ninth and pushed across the winning run with one out in the 10th for the victory.
Kirkwood starter Joe Funkhouser pitched a shutout for 7 1/3 innings before leaving in the eighth, having thrown 115 pitches in the ballgame, but the bullpen was unable to hold the lead.
Korry Howell drove in both of Kirkwood's runs in the nightcap.
The split pulled Kirkwood into a flat-footed tie with 13th-ranked Southeastern for first place in the ICCAC standings with identical 12-6 records. Southeastern was swept by DMACC Friday in a doubleheader at Southeastern.
NIACC (11-7), Iowa Central (12-8) and DMACC (13-9) are all tied for third place in the incredibly tight standings, just one game behind the co-leaders.
Kirkwood (30-13) and NIACC (30-15) are scheduled for another twinbill in Mason City Saturday. The Eagles are scheduled to host Southeastern in a four-game series next Friday and Saturday.
GAME 1
Kirkwood 000 450 1 -10 8 2
NIACC 202 020 0 - 6 8 2
W - Hummel. L - Williamson.
GAME 2
Kirkwood 000 100 010 0 - 2 5 1
NIACC 000 000 002 1 - 3 11 1
W - Stewart. L - Wadle.
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