Local News

Romero, Thorpe join Kernels

The Cedar Rapids Kernels and Minnesota Twins announced Tuesday that right-handed pitcher Fernando Romero and left-handed pitcher Lewis Thorpe will join the Kernels from Extended Spring Training and that pitchers Derrick Penilla and Felix Jorge have been assigned to Extended Spring Training.

Brad Steil, Director of Minor League Operations for the Twins, announced the moves.

The Twins signed Romero as a non-drafted free agent on Nov. 4, 2011. He spent last season with the GCL Twins where he posted a 2-0 record and 1.60 ERA in 12 games (six starts). In 45 innings, he allowed 32 hits and 12 runs (eight earned) with 13 walks and 47 strikeouts.

The Twins signed Thorpe as a non-drafted free agent on July 12, 2012. He spent last season with the GCL Twins where he posted a 4-1 record and 2.05 ERA in 12 games (eight starts).

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Metro boys dominate all-MVC soccer

Jacob Bjornsen of Washington has been named the Valley Division Athlete of the Year on the Mississippi Valley Conference all-star soccer teams.

Metro athletes dominated the Valley Division team by claiming 11 of the 14 spots on the first team.

Linn-Mar garnered four first-team berths with Jared Belin, Jack Ramsey, Ben Johnson and Daniel Luzindya. Washington had three spots with Bjornsen, Gunnar Lenzen and Mike Eken.

Prairie also claimed three spots on the Valley first team with JesseVizzini, Seth Rinderknecht and Sam Mineck. Connor Ramlo of Xavier also made the squad.

J.P. Graham of Washington was named the Valley Division Coach of the Year.

Kennedy received three spots on the Mississippi Division first team with Mitch Bobbin, Nick Newcamp and Nathan Althoff. Ian Karr of Jefferson also made the squad.

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Union Pacific donates to Prospect Meadows

The Union Pacific Foundation recently selected Prospect Meadows as a recipient of $10,000 for the “Load the Bases” public campaign to build Prospect Meadows Ball Fields.

"Union Pacific recognizes and values the significant role these charitable organizations hold in their respective communities," said Robert W. Turner, Union Pacific senior vice president of Corporate Relations and Union Pacific Foundation president. "It's important that we do our part to support these groups as they continue to positively impact the cities and towns where many of our employees live and work."

The Union Pacific Foundation has granted $260,000 to 39 Iowa nonprofit organizations this year, in various areas ranging from education to several United Way locations.

The Union Pacific Foundation has donated funds to the communities it serves since 1959. They believe that the quality of life in the communities in which its employees live and work is an integral part of their own success.

The Foundation is funded by the operating profits from the Union Pacific Corporation. Eligible projects include communities and charities in the areas that Union Pacific operates, with special interests in projects that aim to enrich the general quality of life or focus on an improvement of health care/services for the people in their communities.

Prospect Meadows is the proposed 17 field baseball/softball complex north of Marion.

For more information on Prospect Meadows Ball Fields, visit www.ProspectMeadows.com or contact Prospect Meadows at (319) 393-1684.

Schebler hits for cycle for Lookouts

Cedar Rapids Prairie grad Scott Schebler hit for the cycle for the Chattanooga Lookouts in the Double-A Southern League Sunday with a single, double, triple and home run in a 16-9 loss to Mobile.

It was the first cycle of Schebler's pro career.

Schebler is 10-for-17 in his last four games with three homers, two triples and seven runs scored. He has homered in three straight games.

The Metro Sports Report is providing a daily update for all of the Metro players in professional baseball again this season.

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