Metro Sports Report

Hicks enjoys hot start with Kernels

CLINTON - Cedar Rapids Kernels first baseman Dalton Hicks has loved hitting a baseball since he was a little kid.

"I've been playing since I was 4," he said Sunday. "I remember my mom telling me I couldn't play until I was 4, and then when I was almost 4 she said, 'Well, you have to be 4 1/2.'"

He remembers being sorely disappointed.

"On my 4th birthday, as soon as I woke up, I asked my father, 'When will I be 4 1/2?' They finally let me play."

Even then, he loved to hit.

Kirkwood drops a pair to No.2 DMACC

After taking both ends of Saturday's doubleheader against No.2 DMACC, Kirkwood was right back at it again Sunday, but with less success.

DMACC took the first game 7-1 in 10 innings and the second game 3-1 at Kirkwood.

Kirkwood (19-7, 7-5 ICCAC) had plenty of opportunities in the opener, but managed only one run on 11 hits. Kirkwood third baseman Dairo Gonzalez went 5-for-5 with two doubles and accounted for the lone Eagle run with a solo home run in the fourth inning. Dennis Colon also contributed a pair of singles.

Saladino tosses no-hitter for No.6 Eagles

Freshman Shy Saladino pitched a no-hitter and struck out seven batters Sunday as the Kirkwood Eagles crushed Kishwaukee, 20-0, in five innings in the Kirkwood Classic.

Amber Logemann tossed a two-hitter with 15 strikeouts and Kayla Tatge hit her 19th home run as the sixth-ranked Eagles blanked Mineral Area Community College, 4-0, in their other game Sunday.

Saladino raised her record to 8-0 and lowered her ERA to 1.69 with the no-hitter. She also had two hits and drove in two runs.

Local players in pro baseball

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in left field Sunday and was 0-for-3 in the Quakes' 11-5 loss at High Desert. Season stats: G - 9, Avg. - .219, AB - 32, H - 7, HR - 1, RBI - 3, SB - 0.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at third base in the opener and second base in the nightcap Sunday and was 1-for-4 with a run scored as the Lugnuts were swept by South Bend, 1-0 and 8-2. Season stats: G - 8, Avg. - .231, AB - 26, H - 6, HR - 0, RBI - 2, SB - 0.

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Iowa (Cubs)) - Did not play Sunday in the I-Cubs' 4-1 win over Albuquerque. Season stats: G - 8, Avg. - .370, AB - 27, H - 10, HR - 2, RBI - 4, SB - 0.