Clarksville, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Kirkwood High baseball team traveled to Springfield High School on Wednesday, for the district 13-4A play-in game against the Yellow Jackets in an elimination game. The Cobras bats got hot early in route to a 11-5 victory, clinching them a spot in the district tournament and their first playoff win in program history.

“We talked about it the other night, how you win this game is play clean baseball,” said Kirkwood head coach Rick Yauger. “We had no errors, and when you do that, you give yourself a chance to win. It feels really good to earn the first one, and to know my guys who have fought through adversity, and they’ve earned this moment. I’m really proud of them.”

#13 Riley Schild of the Springfield Yellow Jackets with the openign pitch against the Kirkwood Cobras on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
#15 A. Rosenberger of The Kirkwood Cobras with a line drive against the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras put the first point on the board against the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
#11 Woodson of the Springfield Yellow Jackets makes the play at third base against the Kirkwood Cobras on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
#2 C. Brandwein makes the catch in centerfield against the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
#5 E. Engel of the Kirkwood Cobras safe at second against the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
#13 Riley Schild of the Springfield Yellow Jackets bringing the heat against the Kirkwood Cobras on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
#11 Woodson of the Springfield Yellow Jackets pitching against the Kirkwood Cobras on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
#2 Mayo of the Springfield Yellow Jackets makes a fantastic catch against the Kirkwood Cobras on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras defeated the Springfield Yellow Jackets on April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Kirkwood Cobras April 30, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

The Cobras’ offense was led by shortstop Alex Rosenburger, who collected two hits and two RBIs on the night. Between the first and fifth innings, Kirkwood had 9 runs cross home plate. Meanwhile, on the mound, Gus Smith started the game off and struck out four batters in 4.2 innings pitched.

Then, Kaiden Turner closed the door, allowing only one hit in 2.1 innings of relief. Now, the Cobras will turn their attention to a matchup at Clarksville High on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

“We’ve got a couple of seniors that get to keep playing and that’s huge,” said Yauger. “The relationships are more important than the wins, and I’m glad we get to continue that for a few more games. We have to continue to play with the same intensity and focus we did tonight and give ourselves a chance to win more baseball games.”