Metro Sports Report

Lions seek 1st win at state tourney

The Linn-Mar Lions have reached the state baseball tournament in back-to-back years for the first time in school history.

Now they feel it's time for the next step.

"The next step is to go down and win a game at state," said Coach Chad Lechner. "We're going to have to play the same way we have been."

The Lions played in the state tournament in 1987, 1995, 2006 and 2012, but they lost in the first round each time for an 0-and-4 record.

Linn-Mar (27-15) hopes to take the next step against seventh-ranked Johnston (26-12) in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament Wednesday at noon at Principal Park in Des Moines.

Schemmel still going strong with Saints

Dave Schemmel turned 60 in June and admits he doesn't have as much zip on his fastball in batting practice anymore, but he still loves putting on the uniform and going to the ballpark with the Xavier Saints.

His next stop will be Principal Park in Des Moines, where the Saints (25-15) will face Sioux City East (30-9) in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Schemmel has compiled a 526-361 record in 26 years as the head coach at Xavier (15 years), Regis (10 years) and LaSalle (one year), making him a member of the exclusive 500 Win Club in state history.

Kernels whiff 16 times in loss to Bees

BURLINGTON - It's hard to win a ballgame when you strike out 16 times against a team that has the second-worst record in the entire Midwest League.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels proved that Tuesday night on a soggy, foggy night in Burlington.

The Kernels whiffed 16 times and lost to the struggling Bees, 4-1, before a paid crowd of 511 at Community Field.

Local players in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Placed on disabled list June 30 with fractured rib. Expected to miss at least six weeks. 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 Tuesday and was 0-for-4 in the Quakes' 13-3 loss to Inland Empire. Season stats: G - 95, Avg. - .306, AB - 360, H - 110, HR - 22, RBI - 67, SB - 12.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at third base Tuesday and was 0-for-3 in the Lugnuts' 4-0 loss to South Bend. Season stats: G - 87, Avg. - .181, AB - 277, H - 50, HR - 5, RBI - 21, SB - 0.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar, Hudson Valley (Rays)) - Did not pitch Tuesday in the Renegades' 4-2 win over Vermont. Season stats: W - 2. L - 2. Sv - 2. ERA - 4.71. G - 14. IP - 21. H - 21. BB - 7. SO - 14.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (Washington, GCL Twins (Twins)) - Started at third base Tuesday and was 0-for-3 in the Twins' 3-2 loss to the GCL Orioles. Season stats: G - 23, Avg. - .250, AB - 80, H - 20, HR - 1, RBI - 8, SB - 2.

JON KELLER (Xavier, GCL Orioles (Orioles)) - Did not pitch Tuesday in the Orioles' win over the GCL Twins. Season stats: W - 0. L - 0. Sv - 0. ERA - 0.00. G - 2. IP - 3. H - 1. BB - 0. SO - 3.