Adam Lloyd did not see Linn-Mar score 15 runs against Jefferson in the Bob Vrbicek Metro Baseball Tournament Monday night, but he heard about it.

It didn't faze him a bit.

Lloyd tossed a two-hitter Tuesday night as top-ranked Kennedy tamed the Lions, 12-2, in five innings in the semifinals at the Linn-Mar Field.

The Cougars (2-0) will face Prairie (2-0) in the championship game Wednesday at approximately 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Linn-Mar (1-1) will meet Xavier (1-1) in the third place game at the stadium at 5 p.m.

Linn-Mar scored 11 runs in the first inning against Jefferson Monday night and hit line drives all over the park. Most of the Cougars watched that game with rapt attention, but not Lloyd.

"No, I wasn't here for that," he said.

Lloyd arrived later Monday night, in time to play left field for Kennedy in its 4-0 victory over Washington in the first round, but he heard all about the hard-hitting Lions from his teammates, coaches and a friend at Jefferson.

"I knew they swing the bats well," he said. "I've had varsity experience before. I just tried to work the outside of the plate."

The Cougars got off to a shaky start on defense in the first inning and helped Linn-Mar take a 2-0 lead, but Henry stayed calm. Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer took a slow walk to the
mound in the middle of the mayhem to say a few soothing words to his pitcher, catcher and infielders.

"Coach Hoyer always stresses that," said Lloyd, a senior lefthander. "He's big on whatever happens, just flush it and move on to the next pitch and take it a pitch at a time. I was just really working on that."

Lloyd took control on the mound, giving Kennedy's patient hitters a chance to get the Cougars back in the game. It didn't take long.

Kennedy scored four runs in the second inning, four more runs in the third inning, three more in the fourth inning and made it 12-2 in the top of the fifth, setting the stage for the mercy rule to take effect after the bottom of the fifth.

The Cougars drew nine walks and stole 10 bases, exposing Linn-Mar's inability to stop a well-executed running game. The Cougars collected only five hits, but made them count.

Cody Bell hit a two-run double in the second inning to snap a 2-2 tie and give Kennedy the lead for good. Devon Jacobus and Chico Lizarraga also had two RBIs.

Logan Ambrosy went 2-for-4 and stole three bases, but was nabbed trying to steal home in the fourth inning, the only time the Cougars were caught stealing all night.

Hoyer said he was thrilled with the victory.

"To come into their place with as strong a team as they've got and to win the way we won, yeah, I'm extremely proud of the club," he said.

Alex Hayden pitched a strong game for Kennedy Monday night with 14 strikeouts, then Lloyd followed with his two-hitter. The Cougars plan to throw Nick Appleget, another experienced senior, in the championship game against Prairie.

Hoyer applauded Lloyd for his work.

"We made some mistakes defensively, but he didn't let that bother him," said Hoyer. "He's a three-year starter, he's a veteran, he knows what it means to move on to the next pitch. It was great for our younger players to watch him out there."

Linn-Mar committed seven errors in five innings. The Linn-Mar pitchers threw five wild pitches and were called for four balks in addition to walking eight batters.

KENNEDY (12)
Jahlas, cf, 3 2 1 1, Ambrosy, rf, 4 2 2 1, Bell, 1b, 3 0 1 2, Unash, pr, 0 0 0 0, Devon Jacobus, 2b, 2 0 1 2, Maiers, dh, 4 0 0 0, Staton, pr, 0 1 0 0, Lloyd, p, 0 0 0 0, Derek Jacobus, ss, 1 2 0 0, Skow, 3b, 3 0 0 0, Hayden, pr, 0 1 0 0, Lizarraga, c, 2 0 0 2, Seubert, cr, 0 1 0 0, A.Johnson, lf, 1 3 0 0. Totals 23 12 5 8.

LINN-MAR (2)
Kvach, 2b, 2 1 0 0, Bogert, rf, 2 0 0 0, Redmond, cf, 3 1 1 1, Stickney, lf, 3 0 1 0, Stroschein, 3b, 2 0 0 0, Banks, c, 1 0 0 0, Digmann, cr, 0 0 0 0, Roth, dh, 1 0 0 0, Greve, p, 0 0 0 0, Wyant, p, 0 0 0 0, Blackford, p, 0 0 0 0, Stolley, 1b, 2 0 0 0, Strellner, ss, 2 0 0 0. Totals 18 2 2 1.

Kennedy    044 31 - 12  5 2
Linn-Mar     200 00 -  2  2 7

Lloyd and Lizarraga. Greve, Wyant (3), Blackford (4) and Banks. W - Lloyd. L - Greve. 2B - Bell, Redmond. SB - Jahlas 2, Ambrosy 3, Bell, Devon Jacobus, Derek Jacobus 2, Seubert.