The Linn-Mar Lions were not happy when they finished the 2014 season with a 16-21 record and not pleased when they began the 2015 campaign with a loss to Marion in the Metro Tournament, but the Lions were feeling good about themselves Monday night.

Linn-Mar swept top-ranked Kennedy, 4-2 and 6-2, in a Mississippi Valley Conference doubleheader at the Linn-Mar field with good pitching and timely hitting.

The Cougars began the year as the No. 1 team in Class 4A and looked good in the Metro Tournament, but the Lions had the upper hand this time.

"They've kind of been the staple of success," Linn-Mar Coach Chad Lechner said about Kennedy. "We've beaten them a few times here and there, but a sweep? I'm sure they've been few and far between, especially with a team as good as they have this year.

"They're good," said Lechner, "so it was exciting for us to see us come out and play well and be able to compete at that level."

Linn-Mar, riding a six-game winning streak, raised its records to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference. Kennedy fell to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in the MVC.

Manny Jeffery was the winning pitcher for the Lions in the first game and Jake Brandt gave Linn-Mar a big lift out of the bullpen. Brandt inherited a bases-loaded jam with nobody out and kept the Cougars off the scoreboard at a key juncture.

Ryan Wyant and Jeffery had two hits in the first game. Jeffery had two RBIs and pitched five solid innings, allowing just two runs on five hits.

Wyant pitched six strong innings for Linn-Mar in the nightcap. Scott Mortensen belted a three-run homer for the Lions in the bottom of the sixth for a 6-2 lead. Adam Bradley had two hits.

The Lions like the way they are playing, especially after sweeping the No. 1 team in the state.

"It's really looking up," said Jeffery. "It's a big two wins. We're just trying to move on from that and keep the momentum rolling and see what we can do this season. A lot of high hopes."

Wyant likes his team's attitude.

"I think the whole team is aggressive, and I think if we're aggressive we're one of the best teams out there," he remarked. "I'm happy for the whole team. I think the whole team played well tonight.

"I'm just ready to get after the next game and keep on rolling throughout the season. I feel good about our team."

Wyant was pitching with a 3-2 lead in the top of the sixth inning of the nightcap, but Kennedy put runners on first and second with only one out and threatened to take the lead. Wyant shut the door, however, with two strikeouts to end the inning.

Brandt Ollinger pitched the seventh inning in both games for Linn-Mar. He tossed a scoreless frame both times and collected a save in the opener.

Sammy Lizarraga had two hits and two RBIs for Kennedy in the first game.

GAME 1

Kennedy    200 000 0 - 2 6 4
Linn-Mar   200 101 x - 4 6 2

W - Manny Jeffery. L - Blake Hargens. S - Brandt Ollinger.

GAME 2

Kennedy    000 200 0 - 2 5 0
Linn-Mar   210 003 x - 6 5 1

W - Ryan Wyant. L - Jackson Behn.