Angel Merced drove in Zach Patterson with the winning run in the bottom of the 14th inning Saturday as Kirkwood outlasted NIACC, 3-2, in the first game of a conference doubleheader at Kirkwood.

NIACC claimed the second game, 7-3.

Merced hit a shot over the left-fielder's head to win the opener for Kirkwood. Will Ross pitched the first eight innings for the Eagles and allowed two runs. Randy Perez tossed the final six innings and sparkled in relief, allowing only one hit with 10 strikeouts.

Perez and Sulliam Rios Reyes went 3-for-6 in the first game. Patterson and Merced had two hits.

Matt Paciello collected two hits for Kirkwood in the second game.

The split left Kirkwood at 26-13 overall and 11-9 in the league. NIACC stands at 20-27 and 8-16. Kirkwood won the weekend series, 3-1.