Metro Sports Report

Frank Lindwall wins Metro Spotlight Award

Cedar Rapids Washington sophomore Frank Lindwall is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school boys this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Lindwall has blossomed into one of the top golfers in the state this year despite being only a 10th grader. He ranks fifth in Class 4A with a 36.6 average for nine holes and is averaging 72.67 strokes for 18 holes.

Lindwall took medalist honors at the Blue Top Ridge Invitational in Riverside this past Tuesday with a 1-under-par 71.

He finished second at the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet on Tuesday, Aug. 14 with a 3-under 69 at Gates Park in Waterloo. He placed ninth at the Linn-Mar Invitational at Hunters Ridge last Monday with a 6-over 78.

Lindwall has dramatically improved his stroke average this season. He averaged 40.32 strokes for nine holes and 79.20 strokes for 18 holes last season as a freshman.

Lindwall tied for 10th at the Class 4A state meet last fall with a 36-hole total of 80-80=160.

The Metro Spotlight Award for high school girls will resume next Sunday.

Kernels make playoffs, want MWL title

DAVENPORT - The Cedar Rapids Kernels appeared dead and buried six weeks ago when they were mired with a 37-51 record and struggling to put nine healthy guys on the field, but that seems like ancient history now.

The revived Kernels are officially headed to the Midwest League playoffs and nobody can take that away from them.

Cedar Rapids lost to the Quad Cities River Bandits, 8-6, Sunday afternoon on a steamy day in Davenport before 3,598 fans at Modern Woodmen Park, but it did not really matter in the bigger scheme of things.

Hu-Dini works his magic for Kernels

BURLINGTON - Chih-Wei Hu is playfully called Hu-Dini by the Cedar Rapids Kernels because he's a great illusionist and escape artist, just like the real Harry Houdini who entertained legions of admirers a century ago.

This Hu-Dini makes batters and potential jams disappear with his artistry on a pitching mound.

Hu did it again Saturday night when he tossed a four-hit shutout for six innings as the surging Kernels blanked Burlington, 3-0, before 2,764 fans on Fireworks Night at Community Field.

Hu made the Bees batters disappear with relative ease. He also took another notch off the Kernels' magic number as the visitors moved onto the verge of clinching a spot in the Midwest League playoffs.

Kernels can taste playoff spot now

BURLINGTON - The Cedar Rapids Kernels can start putting the champagne, beer and cider on ice any time they want now.

A cherished spot in the Midwest League playoffs is just a sip or two away and it's nearly time to celebrate.

The Kernels won for the 10th time in their last 11 games Friday by whipping Burlington, 8-2, before 870 fans on a steamy night near the Mississippi River.

When the Kernels hopped on the bus for the ride back to Cedar Rapids Friday night, they left Burlington with an eight-game lead for the final playoff position with only 10 games left in the regular season.