Metro Sports Report

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Boston Red Sox) --  Did not play Tuesday in Boston's 4-1 loss at Baltimore. Ryan is 2-for-20 in his last five games, dropping his average from to .353 to .311. He is tied for sixth in the major leagues in doubles (14). Year to date: BA -- .311 (38-122), R -- 11, RBI -- 12, 2B -- 14, 3B -- 1, HR -- 0, SB -- 0.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (MWL, Blue Jays) -- The Lugnuts did not play Tuesday. Year to date: BA -- .188 (22-117), R -- 11, RBI -- 10, 2B -- 2, 3B -- 1, HR -- 0, SB -- 1.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Great Lakes (MWL, Dodgers) -- The Loons did not play Tuesday. Scott leads the league in triples (6). Year to date: BA -- .243 (43-177), R -- 23, RBI -- 24, 2B -- 9, 3B -- 6, HR -- 3, SB -- 4.

Warriors claim 'state' tennis win

The girls tennis meet Monday between Cedar Rapids Washington and Kennedy was billed as the first round of the state team tournament.

But with the competition at Jefferson and just the two teams and their fans on hand, it didn't really have a state tournament atmosphere.

"The first round always feels weird," Washington senior Katie Hammond said. "It doesn't really feel like state until you get down to Iowa City."

The Warriors are headed back to Iowa City after dispatching the Cougars, 5-0, in a Class 2A state tournament quarterfinal. The final four play June 2 at the University of Iowa, the day after the two-day singles and doubles state competition.

Cougars, Lions headed for early showdown

The Kennedy Cougars are ranked No. 1 and the Linn-Mar Lions look like they have the ingredients to make a run for the top as well this year.

They'll clash Tuesday in the semifinals of the Bob Vrbicek Metro Baseball Tournament at the Linn-Mar diamond at approximately 7 p.m.

Alex Hayden struck out 14 batters as the top-ranked Cougars blanked Washington, 4-0, in the opening game of the tournament Monday night to spoil Tony Lombardi's debut as the Warriors' coach.

Linn-Mar scored 11 runs in the first inning against Jefferson and pounded the J-Hawks, 15-2, in five innings in the nightcap.

Xavier, Prairie roll in Metro openers

Baseball season has come knocking again. The clanging of aluminum bats marks the beginning of summer, and opening day never fails to bring feelings of excitement and nervousness.

The days and hours leading up to the Bob Vrbicek Metro Tournament were filled with preparation and speculation. Come game time it was time to play baseball, and relax. The Xavier Saints were very relaxed.

Calm minds and strong bats helped the eighth-ranked Saints cruise to an 11-1 victory over the Mount Vernon Mustangs Monday in the opening round at Marion.

The ninth-ranked Prairie Hawks topped Marion, 8-2, in the second game.