Metro Sports Report

Japan-Metro Classic set for Aug. 13

Everyone once in awhile you get a chance to do something that's truly worthwhile, something that makes other people happy and makes a contribution to your community in positive way.

Serving as the president and owner of the Metro Sports Report is like that for me. It's rewarding work and lots of fun, because I get to meet terrific people all the time on our local teams in Cedar Rapids and Marion.

Now it's time to stage another special event in Cedar Rapids that hopefully will be well-received by the community again.

The Metro Sports Report is proud to announce that we will hold the second Japan-Metro All-Star Baseball Classic at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday night, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m.

The game will match a team of talented high school players from Yamanashi, Japan against an all-star team from the Metro area that will be comprised of graduated seniors from our eight local schools.

Kernels keep winning with new players

You can't tell the Cedar Rapids Kernels without a scorecard with all the changes on the ballclub in the last few days, but one thing remains the same.

The Kernels keep winning.

Cedar Rapids scored four gift runs in the seventh inning Wednesday night and clipped the Burlington Bees, 5-2, before 2,234 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The Kernels raised their record to 53-37, the third-best overall mark in the Midwest League, and they've done it with 45 different players in those 90 games.

"It's been a revolving door, unfortunately," said Manager Jake Mauer.

There have been injuries, promotions, demotions and players released by the Minnesota Twins organization. The Kernels have made five roster changes this week, but it didn't bother them Wednesday.

Yorman Landa, fresh off the disabled list, struck out three batters in his one inning on the mound in relief and picked up the victory on his first day back on the job.

Hansen tops all-Metro softball team

Cedar Rapids Jefferson catcher Maddie Hansen has been named the Athlete of the Year on the All-Metro Softball Team, as selected by Metro coaches.

Hansen, a senior, is hitting .504 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs to rank among the state leaders in all three departments. She plans to play next season at Kirkwood Community College.

Hansen has helped the third-ranked J-Hawks reach the Class 5A state tournament with a 35-7 record. Jefferson will face Linn-Mar in the opening round at 3:30 p.m. Monday in Fort Dodge.

J-Hawks claim first MVC title since 2005

The Jefferson J-Hawks needed three more outs to capture their first Mississippi Valley Conference title in 10 years Monday night, so Kyle Rodenkirk did what any smart coach would do.

He gave the ball to his best pitcher and relaxed.

Spencer VanScoyoc pitched a spotless inning in the top of the seventh as the third-ranked J-Hawks trimmed Dubuque Hempstead, 3-2, in the second game of their doubleheader to claim a share of the Valley Division title in the MVC.

Jefferson and Iowa City West tied for the crown with identical 20-6 records in the conference. The J-Hawks and Trojans split their doubleheader this year, with each team winning a one-run ballgame, so they were truly tied at the top.