Metro Sports Report

J-Hawks edge Rams for trip to state

With two hard-nosed, hard-throwing softball pitchers at their very best, games usually turn on a crucial play or two.

The always fundamentally sound Jefferson girls got two key hits when they needed them Tuesday night and a late-game defensive gem to squeak out a 1-0 win over tough-as-nails Dubuque Senior.

With its second straight regional championship under Coach Brian Erbe, the sixth-ranked J-Hawks (34-6) move on next week to their 21st state tournament berth at Fort Dodge.

Jefferson (34-6) will face No. 3 Southeast Polk (28-9) on Tuesday, July 22 at 11:30 a.m.

“We kind of knew this would be a pitcher’s duel,” said Jefferson junior left fielder Hannah Towns, who had written the words “work hard” on her left forearm for batting inspiration.

Van Scoyoc wins Metro Spotlight Award

Cedar Rapids Jefferson sophomore Spencer Van Scoyoc is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school boys this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Van Scoyoc had an exceptional stretch for the J-Hawks in six games last week.

He went 14-for-23 for a .609 batting average in those six games. He had three doubles, three home runs, 11 runs scored and 14 RBIs.

Van Scoyoc is hitting .414 (46-for-111) this season with 5 homers and 34 RBIs. He also has 17 doubles and three triples.

Jefferson has compiled a 22-13 record heading into the final week of the regular season and the Class 4A playoffs.

Drahn wins Metro Spotlight Award

Cedar Rapids Kennedy sophomore Tianna Drahn is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school girls this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Drahn went 2-for-3 Saturday night with a clutch two-run double as the Cougars trimmed Washington, 2-0, in the semifinals of the Class 5A regional softball tournament.

Kennedy (27-13) will play at third-ranked Southeast Polk Tuesday night in the regional finals, with the winner claiming a spot in the state tournament.

Drahn plays center field and hits in the leadoff spot for Kennedy. She is batting .478 this season (66-for-138) with two doubles, a triple and 19 RBIs.

Drahn has stolen 34 bases in 36 attempts and has scored 36 runs in 40 games.

Kennedy compiled a 16-10 record in Mississippi Valley Conference games this season.

Cougars top No.1 Hempstead for MVC title

Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer faced a tricky proposition Monday night.

He wanted to give the Cougars a good shot at winning the Mississippi Valley Conference title without jeopardizing their chances in the Class 4A substate baseball tournament that starts Friday.

It worked out perfectly.

The third-ranked Cougars edged top-ranked Dubuque Hempstead, 4-2, in the first game of their MVC doubleheader to clinch the conference title and Hoyer was able to juggle his two best pitchers to keep them fresh for the postseason tournament.

The game had a dramatic ending when Kennedy relief pitcher Zach Daniels snagged a vicious line drive with the bases loaded and fired to third base for a double play.