Metro Sports Report

Sweeney finds team (Kellen, not Ryan)

Fri - 29 Mar Written by Jim Ecker

There was good news for the Sweeney family Friday when Kellen Sweeney was assigned to the Lansing Lugnuts in the Midwest League.

His older brother Ryan, however, is still looking for a place to play this season after not making the 25-man roster for the Boston Red Sox.

Kellen Sweeney hit only .179 in 43 games for Lansing last season, but he'll get a chance to redeem himself this year with the Lugnuts as a Class A farmhand with the Toronto Blue Jays.

It also means his family and friends from Cedar Rapids will get a chance to see him play in his hometown this season. Lansing is scheduled to play a three-game series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Veterans Memorial Stadium on April 28, 29 and 30.

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Mauer says Kernels roster is nearly set

Thu - 28 Mar Written by S.D. Buhr

With a week remaining before the Cedar Rapids Kernels take the field for the first time in 2013, a few roster spots are yet to be finalized during the final days of the team's spring training in Fort Myers, Fla.

“We're getting close,” Kernels Manager Jake Mauer said Wednesday. “There are probably three or four decisions left to make. A couple of pitchers and a couple of position players.

“Our position players are in good shape. It looks like we should have good team speed,” Mauer said.

Mauer indicated that Byron Buxton, the Twins' first-round draft pick in last June's amateur draft (and second pick overall), will be the club's center fielder. He will be joined in the outfield by two other highly rated Twins prospects, Adam Walker and Romy Jimenez.

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Matt Lassen (10) of Linn-Mar shoots over Faith Pope of Mount Pleasant during the Eastern Iowa all-star game at Iowa City West on Wednesday. Lassen is being wooed by Florida Gulf Coast and the University of Northern Iowa. (Photo by Ken Gilchrist)

Florida Gulf Coast, UNI looking at Lassen

Wed - 27 Mar Written by Jim Ecker

IOWA CITY -- Matt Lassen has developed a special interest in Florida Gulf Coast during the NCAA men's basketball tournament, but it has nothing to do with his bracket for March Madness.

Florida Gulf Coast, which has stunned the college basketball world by reaching the Sweet 16 of the tournament, is recruiting Lassen and has invited the Linn-Mar senior to visit the campus in Fort Myers, Fla., once they are done playing.

The University of Northern Iowa also wants Lassen to visit once the Panthers are finished playing in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

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Kristen Winter of Kirkwood Community College lays down a bunt in the second game of the doubleheader in Cedar Rapids on Friday against Iowa Central. Kirkwood won both games. Winter is a Cedar Rapids Xavier grad. (Photo by Ken Gilchrist)

Tatge swats 3 more homers for Kirkwood

Fri - 29 Mar Written by Jim Ecker

Kayla Tatge played Home Run Derby for the Kirkwood Eagles again Friday with three more clouts against Iowa Central.

Now she's tied for the national lead.

Tatge slugged her 11th, 12th and 13th homers of the season as the ninth-ranked Eagles swept the Tritons, 10-0 and 19-3, at the Kirkwood field in Cedar Rapids.

Both mismatches lasted only 4 1/2 innings due to the mercy rule.

Tatge, a sophomore from Milan, Ill., is tied for the national lead in home runs at the NJCAA Division II level with Kaley Pyles of Highland (Kan.) Community College, according to the NJCAA website.

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Colin Gunn (5) of Cedar Rapids Xavier battles a Solon defender for control of the ball during the Metro Jamboree at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids on Thursday. The game ended in a scoreless tie. (Photo by Margaret O'Banion)

Xavier boys eye state soccer title

Thu - 28 Mar Written by Jim Ecker

Cedar Rapids Xavier Coach Amir Hadzic always aims high with the Xavier High School boys soccer program.

The Saints won Class 2A state titles in 2010 and 2011, and Hadzic sees no reason why they cannot compete for another championship this year.

"We go into every year with certain goals, and one of our goals is to go to state and win it," he said after Xavier played in the Metro Jamboree at Kingston Stadium on Thursday.

"That's where playing in the rough-and-tough Mississippi Valley Conference helps a lot," he said. "You play those big teams and a grueling schedule, and when it comes to the state tournament you're always ready.

"I have a good feeling," he remarked.

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