Metro Sports Report

Cougars draw No. 1 seed for playoffs

The Kennedy Cougars have drawn a No. 1 seed for the Class 4A baseball playoffs and will host Pleasant Valley in the opening round of the Substate 4 tournament July 18.

If the Cougars beat Pleasant Valley, they will draw a second-round bye and host the substate finals July 23.

Linn-Mar will visit Davenport West and Bettendorf will meet Muscatine in the other first-round games in Substate 4. Davenport West is the No. 2 seed in the six-team bracket.

Lizarraga shines as Cougars dump J-Hawks

Sammy Lizarraga could have a big decision to make when it comes time for him to play college baseball in two years.

He's been an outstanding catcher since he was a little kid, but now he's developed into one of the top pitchers in the state as well.

Lizarraga tossed a two-hitter Monday and collected five RBIs as No. 3 Kennedy thumped Jefferson, 11-1, in five innings at Bill Herkelman Field.

A scout from Northern Illinois University clocked Lizarraga's fastball at 87 mph early in the game, a significant jump from his best heater last year as a sophomore. He struck out three straight batters in the fifth inning to end the game.

Lizarraga, a lanky 6-foot-4 right-hander, isn't sure what he'll do in college.

Saints claim MVC division title

The Xavier Saints cinched back-to-back Mississippi Valley Conference division softball championships under second-year coach Nikki Price Monday night, but it didn’t come easy against the upstart Washington Warriors.

“They definitely put us in some pressure situations,” said Price. “They’re going to be a headache for other teams in the years to come.”

For this night, however, experience trumped youth as the Saints swept the doubleheader at home, 5-3 and 9-4.

And on Senior Night it was fitting that the three Xavier players being honored had a hand in every one of their team’s rallies.

“We count on them,” Price pointed out. “They were a big part of our first-ever championship last year. And, obviously, they’re a big part this year again.”

Ryan, Sommer key as Lions sweep

CEDAR FALLS - Maddy Ryan got her 20th win of the year and went 5 for 8 in the doubleheader as Linn-Mar swept Cedar Falls, 5-0 and 14-6, Tuesday night.

Ryan blanked the Tigers in the opener and went 2 for 4 with a triple. Katie Sommer and Ally Johnson were 2 for 3. Elison Ollinger added a two-run double.

Ryan and Sommer kept the hot bats going in the nightcap. Ryan was 3 for 4 with a double and a three-run home run. Sommer went 4 for 4.

Ollinger was 3 for 5 with a double and three runs batted in. Katie Andersen got the win in Game 2.