Metro Sports Report

J-Hawks salvage split in Classic

After having their 13-game winning streak snapped by No. 1 Des Moines East on Friday night, the fifth-ranked Jefferson softball team lost a second straight Saturday morning when it tumbled to Johnston, 5-2. The J-Hawks bounced back to beat Boone, 3-2, in the afternoon at the Jefferson Classic.

In the opener, J-Hawk ace Hannah Petersen gave up just five hits but the Dragons were able to string together a few to put up five runs on the hard-throwing lefty.

Petersen and fellow senior Rachel Sedlacek were both 2-for-4 with a run scored. Sedlacek had a double while Petersen had a pair of two-baggers and drove in a run.

Xavier girls aiming for historic victory

MUSCATINE - The Xavier Saints know what's at stake Saturday at the girls state soccer tournament in Muscatine.

It's not merely the possibility of winning another state title, although that would be nice. No, the Saints have a possible date with destiny.

If they whip No. 14 North Scott for the Class 2A title, they'll become the first program in the 86-year history of high school girls sports in Iowa to win seven consecutive crowns in any sport.

Four teams have won six state titles in a row, but none have ever won seven in a row. Until now, perhaps.

"Oh my gosh. I don't want to talk about it," said senior Annie Dale. "It's crazy what's at stake."

Surprise! Cougars playing for 3A title

MUSCATINE - Kaela Dickerman was unlucky twice, but the spunky Kennedy sophomore got lucky at just the right time Friday night at the state soccer tournament.

As a result, the surging and surprising Cougars will be playing for the Class 3A state title Saturday afternoon against Ankeny, the imposing 2011 champs and No. 1 team in the state.

Dickerman lofted a long shot over the goalie's head with less than 8 minutes remaining to snap a scoreless tie and give the Cougars a dramatic 1-0 victory over Bettendorf in the semifinals on a comfortable evening at the Muscatine Soccer Complex.

No. 1 DM East blanks J-Hawks

Larry Niemeyer summed it up succinctly Friday night.

“We have to be able to score against good pitching if we want to beat a team like Des Moines East,” the veteran Jefferson coach remarked. “That’s a problem for us.”

And so it was.

Des Moines East, the No. 1 Class 5A team in the state and the defending champions, blanked the fifth-ranked J-Hawks, 3-0, behind the strong three-hit pitching of Riley Fisher in the featured matchup at the Jefferson Classic.