Kirkwood Softball

KCC assistant Blank re-signs with Bandits

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch league have re-signed first baseman Megan Blank to a one-year deal, team officials announced on Tuesday afternoon on the team's official website.

Blank is also in her first season as an assistant coach for the Kirkwood softball team

Blank, who initially signed with the Bandits via open tryouts prior to the 2015 season, recently completed her third season with the  team. Following a pair of Cowles Cup championship seasons in 2015 and 2016, the former Iowa standout enjoyed a successful 2017 campaign in which she batted .263 with three home runs and 17 RBI. The three long balls ranked second on the team, only trailing rookie catcher Sahvanna Jaquish (6).

“I’m looking forward to my fourth season with the Bandits,” Blank said. “The organization is second to none and I can’t wait to help bring the Cowles Cup back to Chicago and back to the best fans in  the NPF.”

Blank, originally from Culver City, CA, continued to excel from the left side of the plate during her third year in the NPF. The four-time All-Big Ten First Team selection set career highs in walks (13) and runs (16) as part of a Bandits team that reached the postseason for the 10th consecutive season.

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Nearad makes all-tourney at Canada Cup

SURREY, British Columbia - Taylor Nearad of Kirkwood was named to a prestigious all-tournament team at the Canada Cup International Softball Tournament in Canada this month.

Nearad batted .462 in the tournament in 12 games with three doubles, two triples, six RBIs and nine runs. She hit in the leadoff spot in  most of those games and helped the NJCAA All-Stars compile a 6-6 record against some of the top teams in the world.

Nearad was joined on the all-tournament squad by players from Venezuela, Australia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico and  Japan. She was the two-time National Player of the Year at Kirkwood and has a full scholarship to Iowa State.

Morgan Frost of Kirkwood also excelled at the tournament. She hit .457 with four doubles, two home runs, 12 RBIs and 10 runs.

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Eagles help NJCAA all-stars in Canada

SURREY, British Columbia - Four members of the Kirkwood softball team have helped the NJCAA National All-Star team compile a 4-1 record so  far at the Canada Cup in British Columbia.

Taylor Nearad, the two-time National Player of the Year, is hitting .400 in the tournament and went 3-for-3 in one of the games with a single, double, triple and RBI.

Morgan Frost is hitting .385 with a home run, four RBIs and four stolen bases. Maddie Hansen has played in four games, but does not have a hit in the tournament so far.

Lexi Kinnaird has pitched a total of four innings in two games. She has a 3.50 ERA with no wins or losses.

Kirkwood Coach Joe Yegge is a member of the NJCAA coaching staff.

The NJCAA All-Stars have defeated the Quebec Nationals (3-1), Team Canada Juniors (9-2), Cahahoo Erins of Canada (5-2) and Team BC U21 (9-0). Their only loss was to Team Canada Elite (2-0).

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4 Eagles playing for U.S. in Canada Cup

Taylor Nearad, Maddie Hansen, Lexi Kinnaird and Morgan Frost of Kirkwood were four of the top junior college softball players in the United States the past two years.

Now they hope to shine on an international stage as well.

Nearad, Hansen, Kinnaird and Frost are members of the NJCAA National  Team that is playing in the Canada Cup International Softball Championship in Surrey, British Columbia. Kirkwood Coach Joe Yegge is a member of the coaching staff for the NJCAA all-stars.

The tournament begins today and will run through July 17.

Nearad, a center fielder, was a two-time All-American and two-time National Player of the Year at Kirkwood. She hit .516 with 19 homers and 80 RBIs this season.

Hansen, a catcher, also was a two-time All-American. She hit .534 with 19 homers and 92 RBIs this year.

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