Metro Sports Report

Kernels fall in 10th, 8-7

Wed - 24 Jul Written by S.D. Buhr

The Cedar Rapids Kernels lost a baseball game Wednesday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium, but they can’t say they didn’t have opportunities to do otherwise.

The Peoria Chiefs never trailed to the Kernels in the game, but needed 10 innings to top the Kernels 8-7, in front of a crowd of 1,945. However, the Kernels saw two bases-loaded opportunities erased by inning-ending double plays long before the game ever got to extra frames.

Kernels starting pitcher Christian Powell struggled early, giving up three runs to the Chiefs in the first inning and another run in the second stanza.

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Kernels keep winning despite roster moves

Wed - 24 Jul Written by S.D. Buhr

With just 40 games remaining in the regular season, now seems like a good time to step back and take a look at the state of the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

It's almost laughable to even question whether or not the affiliation switch from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to the Minnesota Twins has been good for Cedar Rapids. Of course it has, by pretty much every measurement.

The Kernels have already qualified for the Midwest League postseason by virtue of their second-place finish in the first half of the season and fan interest is up.

Attendance has increased, but even more telling, the fans who show up for games are enthusiastically engaged in what's happening on the field. That has not always been the case at Veterans Memorial Stadium the past few years.

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Local players in pro baseball

Wed - 24 Jul Written by Metro Sports Report

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 Wednesday and was 1-for-3 in the Quakes' 4-3, 10-inning win over Inland Empire. Has hit safely in his last 10 games. Season stats: G - 90, Avg. - .312, AB - 343, H - 107, HR - 21, RBI - 66, SB - 12.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at third base Wednesday and was 0-for-2 with a run scored in the Lugnuts' 7-1 win over Dayton. Season stats: G - 82, Avg. - .183, AB - 263, H - 48, HR - 4, RBI - 19, SB - 0.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar, Hudson Valley (Rays)) - Did not pitch Wednesday in the Renegades' 4-0 loss to Tri-City. Season stats: W - 1. L - 2. Sv - 2. ERA - 5.00. G - 13. IP - 18. H - 19. BB - 7. SO - 11.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (Washington, GCL Twins (Twins)) - Started at first base Wednesday and was 0-for-3 with an RBI in the Twins' 3-1 win over the GCL Orioles. Season stats: G - 19, Avg. - .284, AB - 67, H - 19, HR - 1, RBI - 8, SB - 1.

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

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Jefferson sophomore Alyssa Olson fires a pitch during Tuesday night's Class 5A state tournament quarterfinal game between the J-Hawks and Ottumwa. Olson scattered seven hits, but was touched for two runs and the J-Hawks fell to the No.3 Bulldogs, 2-0. (Photo by Margaret O'Banion)

J-Hawks stopped by No.3 Ottumwa, 2-0

Tue - 23 Jul Written by Jim Ecker

FORT DODGE - Alyssa Olson and Maddie Hansen are young. They're just sophomores. They'll have two more chances to get back to the state softball tournament with the Jefferson J-Hawks in the next two years and try to win the title.

Their first trip to the Class 5A state tournament ended in frustration Tuesday night with a 2-0 loss to third-ranked Ottumwa in the opening round at Harlan Rogers Park in Fort Dodge.

The J-Hawks (31-12) put up a good fight, but Ottumwa pitcher Mandi Moore and the Ottumwa hitters were just a little better and defeated Jefferson for the third time this season, including once in 13 innings back in Cedar Rapids.

Ottumwa (37-6) will face Johnston (31-11) in the semifinals Thursday night.

Jefferson will meet West Des Moines Valley (26-16) in a consolation game Wednesday at noon. The J-Hawks will play a second time Wednesday at 4 p.m., either for fifth place or seventh place.

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Prairie catcher Aly O'Brian (left) blocks off the plate and tags out Ankeny's Kendyl Lindaman in the first inning of Tuesday's Class 5A quarterfinal game in the state softball tournament at Fort Dodge. The throw to the plate came from center fielder Brittney Lash. Prairie was beaten by the defending state champions, 8-1. (Photo by Margaret O'Banion)

No.2 Ankeny too strong for Prairie

Tue - 23 Jul Written by Jim Ecker

FORT DODGE - Cedar Rapids Prairie pitcher Katie Kuch had a few big, moist tears in her eyes after the Hawks lost to Ankeny, 8-1, in the opening round of the state softball tournament Tuesday, but she knew the Hawks had just faced a formidable opponent.

Ankeny is the defending state champion, loaded with Division I talent and the No.1 seed in the tournament. Prairie, by contrast, had never been to the state tournament before and is the only unranked team in the Class 5A field.

The odds were extremely steep.

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