Metro Sports Report

Beckman commits to Nebraska baseball team

Trey Beckman of Cedar Rapids Prairie has decided to join the parade of Metro baseball players to the University of Nebraska.

Beckman, a left-handed outfielder, hit .337 with one homer and 28 RBIs for Prairie this season as a sophomore. He is scheduled to be the starting quarterback for the Prairie football team this fall as a junior.

Beckman impressed the Nebraska coaches at a hitting camp last winter. That led to the Cornhuskers scouting him at Perfect Game showcases, tournaments and games. "They started following me and I guess they liked what they saw," he said Thursday.

Local players in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Placed on disabled list June 30 with fractured rib. Expected to return Sept. 1. Season stats: G - 44, Avg. - .295, AB - 112, H - 33, HR - 4, RBI - 15, SB - 1.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in right field Friday and was 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs in the Quakes' 13-7 win over Lake Elsinore. Season stats: G - 109, Avg. - .306, AB - 418, H - 128, HR - 26, RBI - 82, SB - 15.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at third base Friday and was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI in the Lugnuts' 14-5 win over West Michigan. Season stats: G - 99, Avg. - .184, AB - 316, H - 58, HR - 5, RBI - 28, SB - 1.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar, Bowling Green (Rays)) - Did not pitch Friday in the Hot Rods' 4-0 win over Fort Wayne. Season stats: W - 1. L - 0. Sv - 0. ERA - 0.90. G - 5. IP - 10. H - 1. BB - 0. SO - 13.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (Washington, GCL Twins (Twins)) - Did not play Friday in the Twins' 7-3 win over the GCL Red Sox. Season stats: G - 37, Avg. - .225, AB - 129, H - 29, HR - 1, RBI - 17, SB - 3.

JON KELLER (Xavier, GCL Orioles (Orioles)) - Did not pitch Friday in the Orioles' 6-2 loss to the GCL Rays. Season stats: W - 1. L - 0. Sv - 0. ERA - 2.79. G - 4. IP - 9.2. H - 9. BB - 0. SO - 9.

J-Hawks see green fields ahead

It's easy to see the improvements in the Jefferson High School football program this year.

All it takes is one visit to the team's practice facility at the school on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids.

The two practice fields are brimming with lush green grass. The rusty goal posts have been painted. There are two new drinking stations at the fields, instead of on top of a steep hill. And the fields are painted on a weekly basis so the yard lines and sidelines are easily visible.

"Last year when I came here these fields were unplayable and they were unsafe to play on," Coach Brian Webb said this week. "It's an exciting time. It's exciting to see the positive changes.

Sutton takes MVC title with sizzling 59

Davis Sutton lived a golfer's dream Thursday.

Sutton fired a 4-under-par 59 at Airport National to win the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet and become one of the few high school golfers in course history to crack 60.

Airport National measures only 4,040 yards from the men's tees, but it's a tricky little course in southwest Cedar Rapids with some tough holes that require accurate shots.

"It was really fun," said Sutton, who led Kennedy to the team championship by 10 shots. "It's good when you enjoy your round. Once you get going, you've got a number in your head and it's fun to achieve it some of the time."