Metro Sports Report

Williamsburg blasts Norway in IVL

NORWAY - The Williamsburg Red Sox blasted the Norway Bandits in their Iowa Valley League doubleheader on Sunday, winning both games 13-2 at the Norway field.

Zack Brown went 5-for-5 to lead Williamsburg in the first game. Truman Schmidt belted a grand slam. Nick Sueppel hit a home run and scored four times for the Sox.

Tanner Jansen benefited from all that hitting and was the winning pitcher with eight strikeouts. Braedon Brown had two hits for Norway.

Garrett Saunders went 5-for-5 for Williamsburg in Game 2 and excelled at shortstop. Sueppel socked a grand slam and drove in five runs. Hogan Penny had three hits and three RBIs for the Red Sox.

Look Who's Playing in 2019 IWSL

Eight players have already registered for the Iowa Women's Softball League for the 2019 campaign next summer.

All league members from 2018 will receive a 50 percent discount if they register by Aug. 31. The player fee will be $50 instead of $100.

All players who register between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 will pay $75 instead of $100 for a 25 percent discount.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Anyone who registers between Jan. 1 and April 30 will pay the full $100.

Full refunds will be granted to anyone who registers and is unable to  play, with no questions asked.

Lehman jumps from IWSL to Hawkeyes

When Sarah Lehman joined the Iowa Women's Softball League earlier this year, she did not know where she'd be playing college softball next season.

Now she's landed a spot as a pitcher with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Lehman, a multi-sport athlete at Iowa City Regina, spent the 2017-18 school year as a volleyball player at Coe College, but she decided to change sports and wanted to join the Hawkeyes.

New Iowa Coach Renee Gillispie watched Lehman pitch for Ironside Apparel in the IWSL this season shortly after being named at Iowa and now Lehman will be one of her pitchers.

Lehman enjoyed another solid outing Sunday when she tossed a complete game in a 3-3 tie with Hawkeye Convenience Stores in the third and final game at Mount Mercy.

All six IVL teams likely to make state

Loras Schulte spends a lot of days this time of year gathering information.

As the president of the Iowa Amateur Baseball Association, Schulte is the man ultimately responsible for putting together the annual IABA state tournament, contested over the first two weekends in August.

The Iowa Valley League is always well-represented in the tournament. Last year, the final three teams came with the IVL with the Stars eventually downing Red Top to capture the crown.

When the 12-team tournament field is finalized sometime next week, it is almost certain that half the field will consist of the six IVL teams.

"I can't remember the last time the league has been this competitive from top to bottom," Schulte said. "We've had 18 one-run games and seven two-run games. There have also been more extra inning games than I can ever remember."

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Stars lead the way at 11-5 with Norway bring up the rear at 6-10. Williamsburg was the only team to not make the tournament last year, but the Red Sox have rebounded with a solid season in 2018.