Metro Sports Report

Xavier's Kayla Armstrong (14) races past Linn-Mar defenders Emily Menges (9) and Molly Brandt (6) in Thursday's showdown at Xavier. Armstrong scored the only goal of the match in the second minute and the Class 2A No.1 Saints beat the Class 3A No.2 Lions, 1-0. (Photo by Margaret O'Banion)

Xavier girls pin 1st goal, loss on Lions

Thu - 02 May Written by Tom Fruehling

Neither wind nor rain nor bitter cold could keep two of the best of the state’s girls soccer teams from their appointed round ball matchup Thursday night.

As it turned out, the game was won after it barely started when Xavier all-stater Kayla Armstrong scored on a rocket kick at the 38:03 mark of the first to give her team a 1-0 lead.

For the next 78 minutes, the Saints and the visiting Lions of Linn-Mar battled back and forth to a standstill.

“It was basically like a boxing match,“ said Linn-Mar Coach Steve Dickinson, whose previously undefeated and unscored upon squad on Thursday climbed from three to two in Class 3A poll.

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Eagles ride 41-game streak into playoffs

Thu - 02 May Written by Jim Ecker

Some college softball teams have powerful hitters. Some have dominant pitchers. Others play air-tight defense.

The third-ranked Kirkwood Eagles have it all, which is why they've enjoyed a terrific regular season and are looking forward to the playoffs and a possible trip to the national tournament.

Kirkwood (48-3) will ride a 41-game winning streak into the NJCAA Division II Region XI tournament that is scheduled to begin Sunday in Fort Dodge.

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Kernels drop 2nd straight in Michigan

Thu - 02 May Written by Morgan Hawk

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - The Kernels dropped their second straight game to the West Michigan Whitecaps Thursday night, 4-3, in 10 innings before 2,999 fans at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Danry Vasquez's single up the middle in the bottom of the 10th scored Devon Travis with the winning run. It was West Michigan's first lead of the game.

Byron Buxton gave the Kernels a 2-0 lead in the third inning with a two-run homer off the right-field pole. Buxton's fifth homer snuck past the glove of Whitecaps right fielder Jake Stewart as he leaped at the wall.

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Local players in pro baseball

Thu - 02 May Written by Metro Sports Report

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in left field Thursday and was 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in the Quakes' 6-5 win at Stockton. Season stats: G - 23, Avg. - .305, AB - 82, H - 25, HR - 4, RBI - 16, SB - 2.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started both games of Thursday's doubleheader and was 1-for-5 with a solo home run as the Lugnuts split with Wisconsin. Season stats: G - 22, Avg. - .171, AB - 70, H - 12, HR - 2, RBI - 4, SB - 0.

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Iowa (Cubs)) - The I-Cubs' game against Round Rock was postponed Thursday. Season stats: G - 21, Avg. - .351, AB - 77, H - 27, HR - 6, RBI - 16, SB - 1.

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James returns as Wash football coach

Wed - 01 May Written by Jim Ecker

Cedar Rapids Washington did not have to conduct a statewide search for a new football coach to succeed Tony Lombardi.

A highly qualified candidate was sitting right there in the Washington activities office all along.

Paul James, who was Washington's head football coach from 1995 through 2006 before becoming the school's activities director, has happily agreed to take the football job again.

"It's like being given a second chance at something I love to do," he said Wednesday morning.

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