Metro Sports Report

Kernels bite Timber Rattlers, 5-3

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. - Dalton Hicks drove in two runs, Tyler Grimes hit a key home run and the Kernels got strong work from their bullpen in a 5-3 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers before 4,406 fans at Fox Cities Stadium Friday night.

Tim Atherton and Kaleb Merck pitched the final six innings in relief to secure the victory for Cedar Rapids (2-0).

Atherton (4-2) pitched four innings, allowing no runs on two hits, and retired the first 10 batters he faced. Merck went two innings for his first save, allowing no runs on three hits while striking out one.

Hicks, who leads the Midwest League with 65 RBIs, got the Kernels on the board in the first inning when he doubled home Travis Harrison.

Local players in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Started in center field Friday and was 1-for-3 in the Cubs' 3-1 win over the Astros. Season stats: G - 37, Avg. - .291, AB - 86, H - 25, HR - 2, RBI - 7, SB - 0.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in left field Friday and was 1-for-4 in the Quakes' 14-1 loss at Lancaster. Season stats: G - 58, Avg. - .280, AB - 214, H - 60, HR - 9, RBI - 31, SB - 7.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Did not play Friday in the Lugnuts' 14-1 loss at Bowling Green. Season stats: G - 57, Avg. - .193, AB - 187, H - 36, HR - 3, RBI - 14, SB - 0.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar, Hudson Valley (Rays)) -  Did not pitch Friday in the Renegades' 5-3 win over Staten Island. Season stats: W - 0. L - 0. Sv - 1. ERA - 0.00. G - 2. IP - 4. H - 2. BB - 1. SO - 5.

CHAD CHRISTENSEN (Washington, GCL Twins (Twins)) - Did not play Friday in the Twins' 6-4 win over the GCL Red Sox. Season stats: G - 0, Avg. - --, AB - 0, H - 0, HR - 0, RBI - 0, SB - 0.

Yegge ejected as Hawks split with Saints

Joe Yegge may set a record this year for turning the Cedar Rapids Prairie softball team into a Top 10 program so quickly.

If he's not careful, he may also set a record for being ejected the most times in a single campaign.

Yegge got tossed for the second time Thursday, but it didn't stop Prairie from splitting a Mississippi Valley Conference showdown with Xavier at Bob Erusha Field.

The Hawks rallied for an 8-6 victory in the first game after Yegge was ejected for arguing with an umpire. He returned for the nightcap, but Xavier collected a 4-3 victory after Prairie had rallied to tie the game at 3-3.

Journey just beginning for Indians

Marion's baseball team started this season 0-5 which might send some coaches into a panic.

Steve Fish has been around the game long enough to know the important games are in July, not May.

The veteran Indians' coach saw his young team start slowly, but knew the potential was there for a solid season. That potential is turning into results.

Fish's team turned in a pair of impressive performances Thursday night, sweeping Wamac Conference foe, Anamosa, 13-3 and 10-0. Since that dismal start, Marion has gone 11-3.