Reivers Compete at First NJCAA Worlds Series in a Decade

OXFORD, Ala. -- The NJCAA Division I Softball Wold Series featured the ICCAC's Iowa Western Reivers. Iowa Western was slotted in at 17th of the possible 20 seeds in the tournament, and their first showing since 2013. Iowa Western was one of the eight teams that had to play in the first round. The Reivers bubble match-up against Lake Land (16th seed) was a close one.

Iowa Western jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning after a double from Mattea Martin that scored Emma Hague and Moira Baxter. Martin would later score on an error caused by Cydnee Schneider's bat. Iowa Western would give up one run in the bottom of the third inning but their defense would hold steady for the rest of the game. 

Madeline McCall, the ICCAC's DI Pitcher of the Year, started the game for the Reivers and went 5.1 innings and collected four strikeouts in the 22 batters faced. The two-run lead gave a nice rest for the arm of Erin Kirkland who came in relief in the sixth inning for McCall. 

Kirkland would shut the door on Lake Land, not giving up a hit in the six batters faced. McCall was credited with the win and Kirkland earned the save for Iowa Western. The Reiver's geared up for their second game in the NJCAA Softball World Series against the #1 seed McLennan.

Taking on #1 seed McLennan, the offense of the Highlanders was just too much for Iowa Western. McLennan won 10-2 while scoring six of their runs in the first innings. Two singles, a triple, and a RBI groundout put the Highlanders up 6-0 through just one inning. They got up to an eventual 10-0 lead before the Reivers scored two runs in the fifth inning. 

McCall, Maddison Depencier, and Kendra Mitchell were all in the circle at one point during the eight-run loss. They combined to give up 10 runs on nine hits, while walking two hitters and striking out three. Schneider led the way for the Reivers on offense, going 3-3 with a double and a RBI.

In an elimination game, Iowa Western stood tall and defeated Connors State in five innings, 9-0. The Reivers were led by Stoner who went 2-3 with three RBI and Kirkland who went the five innings allowing five hits, zero runs, and struck out three. As a team, Iowa Western combined for 14 total hits and one walk as they strolled by the 18-seeded Connors State.

In their second straight elimination game the Reivers fell to San Jacinto 4-1 to end their season. The Reivers scored all their runs in the first two innings, including three in the first inning. Iowa Western was unable to drive runners home, leaving 10 girls on base throughout the game. Reivers' McCall started the game but only went one inning before getting pulled. McCall allowed three hits, three earned runs, and two walks in just her one inning. Depencier and Kirkland came out of the bullpen and held San Jacinto to just one run for the next five innings.

As a team, Iowa Western combined for nine hits and just one run scored. The RBI came from Schneider in the fifth inning on a fielder's choice. The Reivers had four different players have a multi-hit game, but just couldn't continue their hitting with runners on.

Overall, Iowa Western went 41-19 on the year and 13-3 in conference play. After winning the Region 11 Tournament and Midwest District Championship, the Reivers season ended with a 2-2 record in the 2024 NJCAA Division I World Series.