The Riverside Cyclones softball team made history Thursday night, capturing the first league championship in school history with a hard-fought doubleheader sweep over Oskaloosa. With the pair of wins, the Cyclones not only secured the NEKL title, but did so in dramatic fashion, proving themselves as the top team in the league.
Game one set the tone for the night, as Riverside edged Oskaloosa 3-2 behind a dominant performance from Mia Jackson in the circle. Jackson was in complete control, tossing a full seven innings while allowing just four hits and two runs, striking out eight and walking only one. She also provided a spark at the plate, launching a solo home run to left field in the second inning to give Riverside an early lead.
The game remained tight throughout, but the Cyclones delivered in the clutch. In the sixth inning, Kennedy Griffin broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI double, and Rory Stewart followed with a run-scoring single to extend the lead to 3-1. That proved to be enough support for Jackson, who shut the door to secure the win and move Riverside one step closer to history.
With a championship on the line in game two, the Cyclones showed resilience in a back-and-forth battle, eventually pulling out a 7-5 victory in eight innings to clinch the title. Riverside struck first when Griffin doubled to drive in a run in the opening inning, but Oskaloosa answered quickly and kept pressure on throughout the contest.
The Cyclones responded at key moments. Jackson helped tie the game in the third with an RBI single, and Ella Wisler gave Riverside a 4-2 lead in the fourth with a home run to left field. Oskaloosa battled back to regain the lead, but Riverside refused to fold. Jess Perez delivered an RBI single in the fifth to even the score at 5-5, setting the stage for late-game heroics.
In the top of the eighth inning, Griffin once again came through under pressure, drawing a bases-loaded walk to bring in the go-ahead run. Riverside added another insurance run and held off Oskaloosa in the bottom half to seal the 7-5 win and the championship.
Griffin earned the win in the circle in game two, pitching 7 2/3 innings while allowing six hits and three runs, striking out five. Offensively, Riverside pounded out 12 hits, with Wisler and Niahla Duncan leading the way with three hits apiece. Griffin added two hits, continuing her strong all-around performance.
The sweep marked a defining moment for the Cyclones program. With poise, timely hitting, and strong pitching, Riverside not only secured the NEKL championship but etched their names into school history.
Pictured above back row (l-r). Mariana Perez, Kennedy Griffin, Kayahna Hewins, Ella Wisler, Riley Stewart, Mia Jackson, Tori Ortega, Ebany Alvarez Front row (l-r) Tenley Ortega, Kenlee Kiefer, Isabella DeRosa, Jess Perez, Zoey Jones, Maycee Meers, Niahla Duncan, Rory Stewart Not pictured Amari Mitchell