The Kirkwood baseball team began the ICCAC Conference season Saturday by splitting a doubleheader with Iowa Central at Kirkwood Field.

The Eagles took the first game, 7-4, for their ninth straight victory of the young season. Iowa Central grabbed the nightcap, 11-5.

The doubleheader was scheduled to be played at Iowa Central in Fort Dodge, but was shifted to Cedar Rapids due to field conditions. Kirkwood is scheduled to play a twinbill at Iowa Central on Tuesday.

The split left Kirkwood at 11-7 overall and 1-1 in the conference. Iowa Central is 10-9 overall and 1-1 in the league.

Levi Usher and Zion Pettigrew had two hits for Kirkwood in the 7-4 victory in the opener. Pettigrew's hits were both doubles. Jamarion Loston and Pettigrew scored twice. Cameron Leff picked up the victory in relief, allowing one run on three innings.

Taylor Jackson went 4-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs in the 11-5 loss in Game 2. Usher was 3-for-5. Loston had two hits. Joel Thompson belted a solo home run.

GAME 1

Kirkwood       230 011 0 - 7 9 2
Iowa Central   031 000 0 - 4 11 x

Cowan, Leff (3), Bennett (6) and Thompson. W - Leff (2-1). S - Bennett (2). 2B - Pettigrew 2. RBI - Usher, Jackson, Pettigrew, Youngquist, Graham. SF - Graham. SB - Loston, Usher.

GAME 2

Kirkwood       003 110 000 - 5 14 1
Iowa Central   125 000 21x - 11 12 x

Krob, Nigut (3), Lawler 7), Frese (8) and Thompson. L - Krob. 2B - Jackson, Pettigrew, Graham, Vaske. HR - Jackson, Thompson. RBI - Loston, Jackson 2, Pettigrew, Thompson. SF - Pettigrew. SB - Usher, Jackson.