Metro Sports Report

Kernels waste good work by Nolasco

Minnesota Twins pitcher Ricky Nolasco did his part to help the Cedar Rapids Kernels Sunday afternoon, but once again the Kernels did not do enough to help themselves in a 3-2 loss to Kane County before 1,397 fans at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The light-hitting Kernels scored only four runs in the three-game series against Kane County and dropped all three games.

Nolasco, working to recover from inflammation in his right elbow, threw 66 pitches in five innings before calling it a day. Kane County scored an unearned run against him in the fifth inning when Kernels center fielder Tanner English dropped a long fly ball, but otherwise Nolasco had a fairly easy time against Class A minor leaguers.

He struck out five batters, allowed three hits, did not walk anyone and left with a no-decision.

"It was good," said Nolasco, who has been on the disabled list since April 9. "The main thing was just to get back into it.

Jenks joins Drake elite with 8 titles

DES MOINES - Stephanie Jenks likes to stay near the finish line after she finishes a race to congratulate all the other runners for their hard work and effort.

She's done that quite a lot at the Drake Relays the past three years.

Jenks cruised to another victory in the 1500 meter run at the Drake Relays Saturday in 4:31.09 to join elite company at America's Track Classic with the eighth title of her career.

Jenks joined distance runners Katie Flood of Dowling Catholic (2007-10) and Shelby Houlihan of Sioux City East (2008-11) as the Iowa only high school girls in meet history with eight crowns.

Jeff girls sparkle in 4x100 at Drake

DES MOINES - This one's for you, Coach.

The Cedar Rapids Jefferson girls blazed to victory in the 4x100 meter relay at the Drake Relays in record time Saturday afternoon and quickly heaped credit on Coach Bill Calloway.

The J-Hawks captured the event in 47.55 seconds, tying the Iowa all-time best that was set by Des Moines Roosevelt at the Drake Relays in 2012.

"I'd really like to thank Coach Calloway, because his whole life is us," said senior Morgan Meese. "He's put his whole life into us being here and us being as strong as we are.

"I honestly can't thank him enough," she said. "He does so much for us. This is for him."

Kane County sweeps past Kernels

The Cedar Rapids Kernels started the 2015 season with a sweep at Kane County. The Cougars arrived at Veterans Memorial Stadium intent on returning the favor this weekend.

After a rainout of the series opener Friday night, 1,166 fans paid to see Kane County sweep both ends of a doubleheader with the Kernels on Saturday, starting with a 6-1 triumph in the opener and a 2-1 win in the nightcap.

Despite losing two, the Kernels got an encouraging performance from pitcher Felix Jorge (1-1) in Game 2.

Jorge took the loss but threw six strong innings. He gave up just four hits, one walk and a hit batsman, striking out five Cougars.

Quite a turnaround for a pitcher who opened last season with the Kernels and, after a 2-5 start with a 9.00 ERA, was sent back to Extended Spring Training.