NORTHEAST TOPS NO. 23 KIRKWOOD BEFORE FALLING AT REGION 11 TOURNAMENT

CARROLL, Iowa – The Northeast Community College baseball team was back at the Region 11 Tournament Friday and Saturday to continue their playoff push. The Hawks fell to No. 16 Iowa Central Community College by a final score of 9-7, topped No. 23 Kirkwood Community College 5-4 and then lost to Des Moines Area Community College 8-0.

Northeast (33-27, 17-16 ICCAC) jumped out to a 6-0 advantage against the national-ranked Tritons on Friday with all six runs coming across in the top of the third inning. Kale Jensen (Central City, Neb.) blasted a homer and picked up three RBIs in the contest while Hayden Parrish (Omaha, Neb.) and Brady Fitzpatrick (Bellevue, Neb.) both tallied two RBIs of their own. However, the lead was short-lived as Iowa Central stormed back with six runs in the bottom of the third inning and captured the matchup to send the Hawks to the loser's bracket of the double-elimination tournament.

On Friday night, Northeast was lifted by gritty performances from two pitchers as Braden Cork (Omaha, Neb.) went five innings and allowed just one earned run and Caleb Lanphear (Gretna, Neb.) allowed just one hit over four innings of work. The Hawks trailed 4-1 entering the eighth inning, but RBIs from Fitzpatrick, Jensen and Kye Privett (Papillion, Neb.) capped a four-run inning and eliminated the national-ranked Eagles from the tournament.

The Northeast offense struggled to get going on Saturday as they were able to only put together two hits against the Bears from DMACC. The loss ended what was a successful postseason run and a successful season as a whole as the Hawks as they finished the 2025 campaign with 33 wins.

STAT SHEET AGAINST IOWA CENTRAL:

Kale Jensen (Central City, Neb.): 1-4, HR, R, 3 RBI

Hayden Parrish (Omaha, Neb.): 2-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI

Eli Johnston (Wahoo, Neb.): 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R

STAT SHEET AGAINST KIRKWOOD:

Brady Fitzpatrick (Bellevue, Neb.): 1-2, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB

Braden Cork (Omaha, Neb.): 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 5 K

Caleb Lanphear (Gretna, Neb.): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K

STAT SHEET AGAINST DMACC:

Hayden Parrish (Omaha, Neb.): 1-3, BB

Brady Fitzpatrick (Bellevue, Neb.): 1-3, BB

Ben Sterbens (Omaha, Neb.): 2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, K

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head Baseball Coach Marcus Clapp on the big victory against No. 23 Kirkwood:

"We just kept battling and fighting," Clapp said. "We had really good at-bats late. Caleb Lanphear and Braden Cork battled and competed. A great team win!"

Clapp on what he will remember about his 2025 team:

"We had a good group this year," Clapp said. "I want to thank all of the sophomores who have helped make this program what it is and for representing Northeast the right way on and off the field. I wish them all the best moving forward!"

THANK YOU, FANS:

Northeast Athletics would like to extend a huge thank you to our sophomores, the families of our student-athletes, our amazing fans and all our supporters for making this year such a memorable one! We can't wait to see you next season!

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