Metro Sports Report

Beloit snaps Kernels' 5-game streak

BELOIT, Wis. - The Beloit Snappers topped the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 6-4, Sunday afternoon before 1,056 fans at Pohlman Field, snapping a five-game winning streak for Cedar Rapids.

Four of Beloit's runs were unearned because of two Kernels errors. However, the Kernels still won their eighth series in a row.

The loss dropped Cedar Rapids into a tie with Kane County for first place in the Western Division standings in the Midwest League at 25-17.

The Kernels open a home series against Wisconsin Monday at 6:35 p.m.

Beloit scored the first run in all three games of the series. The Snappers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning Sunday on a pair of doubles. Luis Baez doubled with one out to right-center and scored on Michael Soto's two-out double to deep left-center.

Utley glad he stuck with baseball

WATKINS - DJ Utley thought his baseball career was over when he graduated from Cedar Rapids Prairie in 2011, but in reality it was just beginning.

He had a monster year as a senior at Prairie when he hit .441 with 14 homers and 50 RBIs and made the IHSBCA Super Team, but by then he'd already decided to quit baseball and pursue an engineering degree at Iowa State.

"I wasn't really recruited until my senior year," he said Saturday. "My senior year I had a good year, but I had already made up my mind before the season even started I was going to go to Iowa State, and so that's what I stuck with."

Utley lasted one semester at Iowa State. He played for the club team at ISU and realized he left the game too soon.

"I decided I wanted to play baseball again. I missed it," he said.

Surging Kernels win twice in Beloit

BELOIT, Wis. - Bryan Haar belted a three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning Saturday night and the Cedar Rapids Kernels topped Beloit, 5-2, in a Midwest League game at Pohlman Field.

The Kernels also topped the Snappers, 4-2, earlier Saturday in a game that was suspended Friday night due to inclement weather.

The two victories kept Cedar Rapids in first place in the Western Division for the second half of the Midwest League campaign with a 25-16 record. Kane County is one game behind the Kernels at 24-17.

The second game Saturday was scheduled for seven innings, but it went an extra frame before Haar socked his 14th homer of the season.

James, Schrimper share City Am lead

Chris James and Ryan Schrimper are tied for first place in the 61st AnnualMen's City Amateur golf tournament heading into the final round at Ellis Park Sunday.

James and Schrimper share the lead after 36 holes at 5-under-par 139. James, seeking his third title, fired a 4-under 68 Saturday. Schrimper, seeking his first City Am crown, shot a 2-under 70 after opening with a 69 Friday.

Scot Glasford sits in third place at 141, two strokes behind the leaders. Jeff Wenthe, who held the opening-round lead with a 67, is in fourth place at 142.