Metro Sports Report

Kernels make noise in 9-3 victory

Mon - 04 May Written by Metro Sports Report

APPLETON, Wis. - The Cedar Rapids Kernels took a step in the right direction Monday night with a 9-3 victory over Wisconsin in a Midwest League game before 663 fans at Fox Cities Stadium.

The Kernels, who have struggled the past two weeks scoring runs, collected six extra-base hits, drew 10 walks and scored runs in five different innings.

T.J. White led the way with three hits for the Kernels, including a pair of doubles. Max Murphy had two hits and drove in three runs.

Jared Wilson (3-0) allowed three runs in six innings for the victory in his longest stint of the season. He struck out seven batters.

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Jalen Rima wins Metro Spotlight Award

Sun - 03 May Written by Metro Sports Report

Cedar Rapids Prairie junior Jalen Rima is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school boys this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Rima is one of the top sprinters in Iowa for the Prairie track team. He leads the state in the 400 at 48.78 seconds and is tied for fourth in the 200 at 22.26.

Rima submitted both of those times Friday while winning the events at the Wilkinson Relays at Kingston Stadium.

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Madison Bach wins Metro Spotlight Award

Sun - 03 May Written by Metro Sports Report

Marion junior Madison Bach is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school girls this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Bach, who is competing in two sports this spring, had a big week for the Indians past week as she switched from one sport to another on consecutive days.

On Thursday, Bach won the 1,500-meter run and the 3,000 meter run at the Marion Invitational at Thomas Park. And on Friday, she scored three goals for the Marion soccer team in a 5-2 victory at Williamsburg in a Wamac Conference match.

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Cedar Rapids' Jonatan Hinojosa lines a shot to the outfield during Sunday's 5-2 loss to Clinton at Veterans Memorial Stadium. (MSR photo by Margaret O'Banion)

Kernels fall quietly to Clinton

Sun - 03 May Written by Jim Ecker

Cedar Rapids Kernels Manager Jake Mauer does not plan to hold any closed-door meetings with his struggling ballclub. No tantrums, no yelling and screaming, no gimmicks.

Something needs to be done, however. The team batting has dipped to .232, near the bottom of the Midwest League, and the Kernels are not scoring enough runs to be successful.

The Kernels had another quiet game Sunday afternoon in a 5-2 loss to Clinton before 1,141 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Cedar Rapids has lost seven of its last nine games and has scored only 16 runs in those nine outings, an average of less than two runs per game.

"The frustrating thing is, guys will show flashes and you think we're on our way and they revert back," said Mauer.

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Austin Clemens delivers a pitch during Kirkwood's 10-2 victory over Iowa Lakes in the first game of a doubleheader at Kirkwood Saturday. (MSR photo by Margaret O'Banion)

Eagles getting healthy, getting excited

Sat - 02 May Written by Jim Ecker

The Kirkwood baseball team has dealt with Tommy John surgery, a broken finger, a bad back, a hand injury and assorted other ailments this season.

Now the Eagles are a lot healthier and feeling good about themselves heading into the junior college regional tournament in Waterloo this week.

Kirkwood swept an ICCAC twinbill from Iowa Lakes Saturday, 10-2 and 12-2, at the Kirkwood field and will carry a 32-19 record into the tournament.

The Eagles are seeded No. 4 for the tourney and will face No. 5 seed DMACC (25-28) in the opening round Thursday at 10 a.m. at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo.

First baseman Austin Saikal and designated hitter Luke Hassman are back in the lineup and swinging hot bats, just at the right time.

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