Metro Sports Report

J-Hawks fall to North in 9 innings

Thu - 12 Jul Written by Mike Koolbeck

DAVENPORT -- Perhaps it was because it was the last game of the regular season -- in extra innings -- and nothing of consequence was dependent upon its outcome.

Or perhaps it was past someone's bedtime.

Whatever the reason, an apparent out was ruled a safe call at the plate and Davenport North handed Jefferson an 8-7, nine-inning defeat in a non-conference baseball game at Ken Kaul Field.

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Take nothing for granted in the summer

Mon - 09 Jul Written by Scott Unash

You have heard the cliches.

"Take it one game at a time."

"Underestimate no one."

Those are just two bromides that we have come to know and love over the years. Those of us who have followed sports have heard them all when talking about an opponent, and while they are for the most part true, there are times when a coach knows his/her team should advance against a lesser foe.

But that can not be said for the summer sports.

If you did the research over the past several decades, it would not take one long to see that the summer sports of baseball and softball provide the greatest number of upsets of rated teams on the road to the state tournaments.

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Former Metro preps in pro baseball

Thu - 12 Jul Written by Metro Sports Report

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Boston Red Sox) -- Major League All-Star break. Year to date -- BA - .283, AB - 180, R - 20, H - 51, RBI - 14, 2B - 17, 3B - 2, HR - 0, SB - 0.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), MWL) -- Started in left field Thursday night and was 0-for-3 with a walk in the Loons' 7-6 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Year to date -- BA - .263, AB - 334, R - 44, H - 88, RBI - 47, 2B - 25, 3B - 6, HR - 5, SB - 12.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), NWL) -- Started at third base Thursday night and was 1-for-6 with a single and a run scored in Vancouver's 12-11 win at Boise. Vancouver totals -- BA - .173, AB - 81, R - 13, H - 14, RBI - 12, 2B - 5, 3B - 0, HR - 2, SB - 1.

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Jefferson senior Hannah McInerney (center) is consoled by teammates Katelyn Holub (left) and Hannah Towns after the J-Hawks were beaten by Davenport West, 2-1, Tuesday night in a Class 5A regional softball final at Jefferson. (Photo by Margaret O'Banion)

J-Hawks stunned in regional final

Tue - 10 Jul Written by Mike Koolbeck

There were tears.

And more tears.

And tears after that.

Five years of hard work, of sweat, of putting callouses on hands swinging bats and lifting weights went slithering down the tubes in seven innings Tuesday night for the Jefferson softball team in a 2-1 loss to Davenport West in a Class 5A regional final at Jefferson.

It was a cruel finish for a J-Hawk team that came into the game ranked No. 4 in the state, loaded with six seniors that had made it their goal not just to reach the state tournament, but to win the darn thing.

And they took it hard.

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Kennedy senior Nick Appleget throws a pitch in the first inning of Tuesday's first game against Pleasant Valley at Kennedy. Appleget tossed a five-hit shutout to help the Cougars notch their 30th win. (Photo by Ken Gilchrist)

Cougars reach 30 victories with split

Tue - 10 Jul Written by Jim Ecker

All Metro baseball teams set goals at the start of the season, some loftier than others, but they all do it.

Winning the Metro tournament is a good one. So is winning a conference title. A high ranking in the polls is always nice, and so is winning 30 games.

Kennedy has done it all this season.

The second-ranked Cougars won their 30th game Tuesday by blanking Pleasant Valley, 5-0, on a neat five-hit shutout by senior Nick Appleget on Senior Night.

Pleasant Valley took the nightcap, 4-3.

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