The Chaps took on one of the top Division II programs in the country Friday and were turned back 5-2 at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
 
Left-hander Nick Stacey struck out seven in seven innings to keep the Kirkwood bats off-balance. He did not issue a walk.
 
Kirkwood grabbed command of the game with a three-run fourth. It added two runs in the seventh.
 
The Chaps cut the lead to 3-1 in the sixth. A lead-off walk to Jack Oberli and a single from Cam Vickers worked a threat. Cam Bailey loaded the bases with a walk. Seth Broden grounded into a double play that brought in Oberli for the run.
 
In the seventh, Zion Baker's one-out, run-scoring single scored Jimmy Heintz, who drew a walk.
 
Kirkwood pitchers held the Chaps to just three hits. Cliff Vickers accounted for the Chaps' other hit.
 
"We're really to breaking out,'' Chaps head coach Bobby Wilson said. "Kirkwood is really good, they can swing it. We just need to string some hits together, and push some runs across.
 
The teams conclude the weekend series Saturday with a doubleheader that begins at noon.