Metro Sports Report

Mitch Keller wins Metro Spotlight Award

Cedar Rapids Xavier senior Mitch Keller is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school boys this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Keller, a right-handed pitcher, was selected in the second round of the 2014 Major League draft Thursday by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 64th pick overall.

Keller is very interested in signing with the Pirates, which would officially end his prep baseball career at Xavier. He's pitched twice for the Saints this season and played shortstop, but does not plan to play for Xavier anymore.

Washington girls win Metro Spotlight Award

The Cedar Rapids Washington girls tennis team won the state title for the first time in 27 years Saturday with an impressive performance in Ames.

In recognition of their accomplishment, the entire squad has been named the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award this week by the Metro Sports Report.

It was truly a team achievement as all six players contributed at least one point in the semifinals or finals. Washington clipped Des Moines Roosevelt, 5-3, in the semifinals and topped Clinton, 5-2, in the finals.

Kernels snap 5-game losing streak

The Cedar Rapids Kernels held on to edge the Kane County Cougars, 3-2, Sunday afternoon, snapping a five-game losing streak and improving their record in Sunday games to 8-0.

The win also snapped Kane County's seven-game home winning streak as the Cougars lost for only the seventh time at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in 2014.

Ethan Mildren (2-3) was solid on the hill for the Kernels and has picked up victories in his last two starts. Mildren went six innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out six and walked two before 6,922 fans.

The Kernels were able to take advantage of an error to plate a run in the top of the first inning and take an early 1-0 lead. Chad Christensen reached on a two-out throwing error by Cougars shortstop Carlos Penalver before stealing his team-best 16th base to get into scoring position.

Mitch Garver brought Christensen home with an RBI single into left field, his team-high 41st run batted in.

Washington girls claim tennis crown

AMES - The Cedar Rapids Washington girls tennis team captured the Class 2A state title Saturday with a 5-2 victory over Clinton in the finals in Ames.

Washington also won the state title 27 years ago in 1987, making this the second state title in school history.

Hannah Sherman, Kelly King, Jennifer Greif and Callie Cook gave the Warriors a 4-2 lead in the singles matches against Clinton. Lilly Hartman and Rina Moore clinched the state title with a 6-2, 6-7, 1-0 victory at No. 1 doubles.

The Warriors trimmed Des Moines Roosevelt, 5-3, in the semifinals. Sherman, Greif and Cook gave Washington a 3-3 split in the singles matches, then the doubles teams of King/Sherman and Cook/Greif prevailed to win the meet.