Metro Sports Report

English lifts Kernels by Quad Cities

DAVENPORT - Tanner English delivered a clutch two-run single in the top of the ninth inning Saturday night to help the Cedar Rapids Kernels trim Quad Cities, 3-2, in a Midwest League game before 5,634 fans at Modern Woodmen Park.

English drove in Tyler Kuresa and Brian Navarreto with his base hit with one out, erasing a 2-1 deficit.

Trevor Hildenberger collected his 14th save in the bottom of the ninth, getting the final out on a long fly ball to left field with a runner on first base.

Kernels shortstop Nick Gordon extended his hitting streak to 17 straight games with an RBI triple in the third inning. Navaretto and Edgar Corcino had two hits for Cedar Rapids.

Kernels starter Sam Gibbons pitched five shutout innings, allowing five hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Michael Theofanopoulos (3-2) got the victory by pitching a 1-2-3 inning in the eighth.

No. 3 J-Hawks shocked by North Scott

Invaders from Pluto, unhappy with the United States for spying on their planet, kidnapped the Cedar Rapids Jefferson baseball team Friday night and took their spot on the field against North Scott.

It was not a pretty sight.

The third-ranked J-Hawks played one of their worst games of the season and were shocked by North Scott, 11-8, in the opening round of the Class 4A substate baseball tournament at Jefferson.

Prairie blanks Wash for 31st win

Cedar Rapids Prairie took care of business in the opening round of the Class 4A substate baseball tournament Friday night by whipping the Washington Warriors, 10-0, in five innings at the Prairie field.

The fifth-ranked Hawks raised their record to 31-7 and moved within one victory of reaching the state tournament.

Prairie, the No. 1 seed in the substate, earned a bye in the second round and will face Iowa City West or Ottumwa in the substate finals next Wednesday night at Prairie. Iowa City West and Ottumwa meet in the semifinals Monday night in Iowa City.

Drew Yanecek tossed four shutout innings for the Hawks against Washington. He struck out two batters and walked two.

Kennedy rolls on 2-hitter in substate

The Kennedy Cougars rolled by Waterloo East, 8-0, on a combined two-hitter in the opening round of the Class 4A substate baseball tournament at Kennedy Friday night.

Sammy Lizarraga blew the Trojans away during his four innings on the mound for Kennedy. The big right-hander struck out eight batters, walked one and did not allow any hits.

Blake Hargens struck out three batters during his one inning for the Cougars, then Zach Daniels fanned two more during his two innings. Hargens allowed one hit and Daniels also allowed one hit.

The three Kennedy pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts.

Kennedy, the No. 1 seed in the substate tournament, raised its record to 28-11. The Cougars earned a bye in the second round and will face Linn-Mar or Cedar Falls in the substate finals next Wednesday night at Kennedy. Cedar Falls visits Linn-Mar Monday night in the semifinals.