MASON CITY - Kirkwood baseball coach Todd Rima enjoyed his return to NIACC on Saturday as the Eagles swept a conference doubleheader, 4-3 and 5-4, in Mason City.

Rima spent 11 years as the head coach at NIACC before moving to Kirkwood, where he led the Eagles to the national tournament for the first time in 19 years last season.

Austin Krob, who has struggled on the mound for Kirkwood this year, played a pivotal role in both victories Saturday in relief.

Krob pitched 2 1/3 innings in relief to get the victory in the 4-3 triumph in the opener, and he tossed the final inning in the 5-4 victory in the nightcap to notch a save.

The sweep lifted Kirkwood to 19-10 overall and 6-4 in the ICCAC Conference standings.

Kal Youngquist went 2-for-2 with a double in the first game. Cam Cowan gave the Eagles a quality start, allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts.

Zion Pettigrew socked a three-run homer for Kirkwood in the second game. Taylor Jackson was 2-for-4 and drove in a run. Skylar Freese picked up the victory in relief, with four strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings.

NIACC fell to 12-15 overall and 3-7 in the league. The teams are scheduled for another doubleheader in Mason City on Sunday.