In a thrilling doubleheader between two ranked teams, NJCAA DII No. 4-ranked Heartland (5-0) came from behind to defeat No. 6-ranked Kirkwood Community College 12-11 and 6-3 in a highly-anticipated early season matchup Wednesday at the Corn Crib.
 
Game 1
The Hawks battled back after being down as many as 6 runs in Wednesday's opening game of the doubleheader to defeat Kirkwood 12-11 in a seven-inning offensive fest.
 
Kirkwood (7-3) struck first in the matchup, as Cael Frost delivered a towering two-run homer to center field to give the visiting team a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Jacyk Uehling scored Heartland's opening run in the bottom half after reaching on a walk, and eventually scoring after Sam Antonacci reached on an error by the Eagles.
 
Despite the two early runs allowed to begin the contest, Heartland hurler Meade Johnson worked through some trouble to keep the Hawks within striking distance. Johnson finished the afternoon going 4 innings, allowing 2 runs (both earned) on 3 hits, while walking 3 and striking out 7.
 
The Eagles would extend their lead in the top-half of the fifth frame, as they knocked in 5 runs on 3 hits off of Heartland reliever Cy Cox. Despite the large deficit, however, the Hawks would not fold.
 
Uehling and Antonacci both singled in the bottom half of the fifth. Atkinson would then drive in Uehling with a single of his own. After Matt Santarelli was hit by a pitch, Corey Boyette delivered a hit up the middle to score both Antonacci and Atkinson to cut the Eagles' lead to 7-4 through five.
 
It was the sixth inning that the Hawks rallied the bats and ultimately took the lead heading into the final inning. Heartland scored 8 runs on 3 hits, as Kirkwood struggled to throw strikes in the frame. The big knock was Santarelli's base-clearing triple to deep right-center with the bases loaded to tie the game at 7-7. Antonacci also drove-in two runs with a single in the inning, as the Hawks jumped out in front 12-7.
 
The Eagles would respond with two, two-run bombs in the seventh to again make it a one-run game off of Heartland reliever Jake Jakubowski, who would ultimately receive the win for the Hawks. Mason Telford entered with two outs in the seventh to force a flyout to secure the win for the home team.
 
Game 2
Game two began similarly to the first game of the twin bill, but this time it was the Hawks who would strike first. After TJ Williams walked and advanced to second on a stolen base, he would eventually score on a throwing error by Kirkwood starter Ganon Archer to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead after the first inning.
 
Kirkwood would eventually get to Heartland starter Jason Buhl in the fourth frame with 3 runs on 3 hits to gain a 3-1 advantage. Buhl, who was unable to record an out in the inning, finished going 3 innings, yielding 3 runs on 5 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 3.
 
It was again rally time for the Hawks, and they would once again deliver. After catcher Kyle Jannenga knocked an infield single, Daniel Mosele tied the game at 3-3 with a long ball to straightaway center field. Heartland would add 3 more runs to the tally to take a 6-3 lead.
 
Nick Walczak and Jack Stellano combined to shut the door for the Hawks, both tossing 2 innings while allowing just a combined 2 hits and 2 walks.
 
The Hawks will return to action at 2:00 pm Monday for a doubleheader, as they welcome Muskegon Community College to the Corn Crib.