Josh Jahlas and Logan Ambrosy are terrific table setters for Kennedy High School, but it has nothing to do with knives, forks or silverware.

Jahlas and Ambrosy set the table for the top-ranked Cougars by getting on base at the top of the lineup and scoring runs, and they've been doing it very well.

The dynamic duo went a combined 6-for-7 Monday night and scored nine runs as Kennedy swept a Mississippi Valley Conference twinbill from Dubuque Hempstead, 11-0 and 9-0, at the Kennedy field on a gorgeous night for baseball.

Jahlas is hitting .451 in the leadoff spot. Ambrosy is batting .417 in the No. 2 hole, and between them they've scored 44 runs in 16 games.

"They've always been doing a good job of getting on base, but what I've been really pleased with the last four or five games is how well they've been striking the ball," said Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer. "Solid contact, a lot of line drives by both of them. That's good to see."

The Cougars (14-2, 8-2) displayed all their charms Monday with solid hitting, excellent pitching and air-tight defense.

Alex Hayden (4-1, 0.52 ERA) pitched a one-hitter in the five-inning opener with seven strikeouts. Adam Lloyd (5-0, 1.35 ERA) scattered four singles in five innings in the nightcap before Alex Johnson and Devon Jacobus mopped up.

Hempstead (6-10, 5-5) did not get a runner to third base in either game of the snappy three-hour doubleheader.

Jahlas has a simple approach to hitting in the leadoff spot. "I just try to get on base," he said. "I know there are a lot of good hitters behind me."

Ambrosy's job is to move Jahlas around.

"I like it," said Ambrosy. "Josh is good at getting on base, and when my time comes, lay down the bunt or make contact. It's new for me, but I think it's setting in well."

Jahlas went 3-for-3 with three straight doubles in the nightcap. He's hitting with more power this year as a senior after batting in the No. 9 spot in 2011. "I've been in the weight room, trying to get bigger for football," he explained.

Jahlas will join the Iowa State football team this fall as a walk-on. He thought about skipping baseball to concentrate on his college football career, but didn't like the idea of leaving his friends behind.

"I thought it was a pretty good opportunity coming back this year. We have a good team," he said. "I've played with these guys since I was like 10 years old. I would have missed it so much if I would have quit. I'm glad I stayed out."

Jahlas gives Kennedy a good dose of speed in center field. Ambrosy, meanwhile, brings three gloves to the ballpark because he never knows where Hoyer might put him.

"One for first base, catching and outfield," said Ambrosy. "So wherever he puts me, I'm pretty versatile. Growing up there were a lot of different positions I could play. I like it."

You don't see too many left-handed catchers, but he's ready in a pinch. It doesn't happen too often, because Chico Lizarraga has developed into an all-conference catcher for
Kennedy.

Ambrosy went 2-for-3, drove in three runs and scored twice in the opener. Jahlas was officially 0-for-0 with two walks and a sacrifice fly, but scored three runs. Cody Bell socked a two-run homer and drove in three runs.

Jahlas went 3-for-3 with three doubles, three runs and an RBI in the nightcap. Bell collected two more RBIs in the second game. Derek Jacobus had two hits.

Devon Jacobus returned to the lineup for Kennedy after missing four games with a sore back. His younger brother, Derek, swung the bat again after not taking any cuts Friday night at Waterloo East due to a sore wrist, although he did play shortstop Friday.

GAME 1

HEMPSTEAD (0)
Stevenson, 2b, 1 0 0 0, Johnson, lf, 2 0 0 0, Bortscheller, cf, 1 0 0 0, Vanderlee, 1b, 2 0 0 0, George, 3b, 1 0 1 0, Keleher, c, 2 0 0 0, D.Fitzgerald, p, 1 0 0 0, Houselog, p, 1 0 0 0, Seymour, rf, 2 0 0 0, Boleyn, ss, 2 0 0 0. Totals 15 0 1 0.

KENNEDY (11)
Jahlas, cf, 0 3 0 1, Oltmann, ph, 1 0 0 0, Ambrosy, 1b, 3 2 2 3, Bell, 3b, 2 1 1 3, Dv Jacobus, 2b, 2 2 1 1, Lizarraga, c, 2 0 1 1, Smetzer, cr, 0 0 0 0, Lloyd, rf, 1 0 0 1, Hayden, p, 0 0 0 1, Staton, cr, 0 1 0 0, Jurgensen, ph, 1 0 0 0, Dr Jacobus, ss, 2 1 1 0, Smetzer, ph, 1 0 0 0, A.Johnson, lf, 1 1 0 0, Unash, ph, 1 0 1 0. Totals 17 11 7 11.

Hempstead    000 00 -  0 1 2
Kennedy       263 0x - 11 7 0

D.Fitzgerald, Houselog (2) and Keleher. Hayden and Lizarraga. W - Hayden (4-1). L - D.Fitzerald. 2B - George, Ambrosy, Dv Jacobus. HR - Bell.

GAME 2

HEMPSTEAD (0)
Stevenson, 2b, 2 0 1 0, Vanderlee, 1b, 3 0 0 0, Bortscheller, cf, 3 0 1 0, George, 3b, 3 0 1 0, Wilgenbusch, c, 3 0 0 0, Oberbroeckling, dh, 2 0 0 0, Johnson, p, 0 0 0 0, Stumpf, p, 0 0 0 0, D.Fitzgerald, rf, 3 0 1 0, C.Fitzgerald, lf, 3 0 1 0, Boleyn, ss, 2 0 0 0. Totals 24 0 5 0.

KENNEDY (9)
Jahlas, cf, 3 3 3 1, Solorio, ph, 1 0 0 0, Ambrosy, rf/1b, 1 1 1 1, Appleget, ph, 1 0 0 0, Bell, 1b/3b, 3 0 1 2, Staton, ph, 1 0 0 0, Dv Jacobus, 3b/p, 1 0 0 0, Skow, 3b, 1 0 0 0, Lizarraga, c, 3 0 1 1, Lloyd, p/rf, 3 0 0 0, Z.Johnson, p, 0 0 0 0, Hayden, 2b, 2 2 1 0, Dr Jacobus, ss, 3 1 2 1, A.Johnson, lf, 2 2 1 0, Maiers, ph, 1 0 0 0. Totals 26 9 10 6.

Johnson, Stumpf (6) and Wilgenbusch. Lloyd, Z.Johnson (6), Dv Jacobus (7) and Lizarraga. W - Lloyd (5-0). L - Johnson. 2B - Jahlas (3), Dr Jacobus.