Metro Sports Report

Kernels hurlers fan 15 in win

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Cedar Rapids scored four runs in the first inning and a pair of Kernels pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts in an 8-4 win over the South Bend Silver Hawks at Coveleski Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Jose Berrios (3-0) went six innings and allowed two runs on six hits. He struck out eight, walked none and hit three batters with pitches.

Steve Gruver collected his second save. He went three innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits. He struck out seven and walked one.

Local players in pro baseball

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in right field Sunday and was 0-for-3 with a run scored in the Quakes' 4-1 win at San Jose. Season stats: G - 26, Avg. - .290, AB - 93, H - 27, HR - 4, RBI - 19, SB - 2.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at third base Sunday and was 1-for-3 with a double and two runs scored in Lansing's 5-4 win over Beloit. Season stats: G - 24, Avg. - .173, AB - 75, H - 13, HR - 2, RBI - 5, SB - 0.

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Iowa (Cubs)) - Started in right field in both games of the I-Cubs' doubleheader against Oklahoma City on Sunday and was 1-for-6 with a run scored. Season stats: G - 23, Avg. - .337, AB - 83, H - 28, HR - 6, RBI - 16, SB - 1.

Linn-Mar has top team in Metro baseball

Here we are once again, my friends. It’s time for our preview look at Metro baseball for the 2013 season.

I humbly offer our third annual overview of each Metro team and a prediction of the season to come.

The first two installments in 2011 and 2012 helped stimulate interest in the upcoming season and sparked conversation for the high school baseball fans in the Cedar Rapids and Marion area.

At first glance, it looks like Linn-Mar will have a deep pitching staff and Prairie will have a talented senior-laden lineup. Kennedy, Xavier and Marion will be reloading as they just keep rolling out their usual successful teams.

Kernels fall at South Bend, 6-5

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The South Bend Silver Hawks topped the Kernels, 6-5, in 11 innings Saturday night before 3,688 fans in a Midwest League game at Coveleski Stadium.

The Kernels held a 5-2 lead going into the ninth inning, but the Silver Hawks tallied a trio of runs in the bottom of the ninth and Ryan Court's RBI single in the 11th gave South Bend the victory.

Late-inning walks doomed the Kernels. South Bend scored four runs in the ninth and 11th innings, and all four men reached with a base on balls. Six of the seven walks the Kernels issued in the game came in the last three innings.