The Linn-Mar Lions, the No. 8 team in the state according to the latest poll, did nothing to hurt their ranking Monday night as they hosted Waterloo East in a Mississippi Valley Conference doubleheader.

The Lions put together 23 runs on 22 hits to go with quality pitching to defeat Waterloo East, 13-2 and 10-0, in a pair of five-inning games.

Nate Greve led the way in the first game, picking up three hits from his leadoff spot in the lineup and pitching a complete game with five hits and nine strikeouts.

“I was just looking to poke the ball on offense. Just get on base,” said Greve. “As far as pitching, I just try to pitch to contact, but it seemed like the outside corner was all mine on the mound tonight.”

Mitch Stickney collected two hits and drove in five runs in the first game, with three RBIs coming on a bases-loaded double in an eight-run third inning.

“It’s great to get people on in front of me and tonight it was my turn to get the RBIs,” said Stickney. “I really enjoy hitting fourth in this lineup.”

The nightcap saw the Lions (20-8, 15-3) collect 10 hits and 10 runs, but the story was more Waterloo East's eight errors. Stickney, Austin Banks and starting pitcher Justin Wyant each had two hits.

Wyant pitched the first four innings for the win and gave way to Keaton Blackford in the fifth to finish the 10-0 victory. Wyant struck out six batters.

“I am really confident in our defense, so I am more of a contact pitcher, but some nights I get some strikeouts,” said Wyant.

Jesse Billings led the Trojan attack with three hits in the twinbill. John Magnuson and Bryce Frost collected two hits apiece for Waterloo East (4-24, 3-15).

Linn-Mar hosts Cedar Falls on Wednesday. The Lions are chasing an MVC title and a No. 1 seed in the substate tournament.

GAME ONE

WATERLOO EAST (2)
Magnuson, ss, 3 1 2 0, Scribner, cf, 2 0 0 0, Billings, p/cf, 3 1 2 1, Mnayer, dh, 2 0 0 0, McCann, 1b, 0 0 0 0, Sahr, c, 2 0 1 1, Schutte, cr, 0 0 0 0, Howard, 3b, 2 0 0 0, Faith, lf, 2 0 0 0, Ramirez, 2b, 2 0 0 0, Frost, rf/p, 2 0 0 0. Totals 20 2 5 2.

LINN-MAR (13)
Greve, p, 4 0 3 1, Bettman, cr, 0 3 0 0, Bogert, rf, 0 1 0 0, Ollinger, ph, 0 0 0 0, Redmond, cf, 2 1 1 0, Kane, ph, 1 0 1 1, Stickney, lf, 3 2 2 5, Jennings, ph, 1 0 0 0, Stroschein, 3b, 2 2 1 1, Mortensen, 1 1 0 0, Roth, dh, 1 2 1 0, Strellner, ss, 0 0 0 0, Stolley, 1b, 2 0 1 2, Wyant, ph,1 0 0 0, Banks, c, 2 0 1 1, Kvach, 2b, 2 1 1 0. Totals 22 13 12 11.

Waterloo East    002 00 -  2   5 0
Linn-Mar            418 0x - 13 12 1

Billings, Frost (3) and Sahr; Greve and Banks. W - Greve L - Billings. 2B – Magnuson, Stickney, Roth.

GAME TWO

WATERLOO EAST (0)
Magnuson, ss, 3 0 0 0, Frost, rf, 3 0 2 0, Billings, cf, 3 0 1 0, Mnayer, 3b, 2 0 1 0, Sahr, c, 2 0 0 0, Howard, p/3b, 2 0 0 0, Scribner, p, 0 0 0 0, Schutte, dh, 2 0 0 0, McCann, 1b, 0 0 0 0, Faith, lf, 1 0 0 0, Ramirez, 2b, 2 0 1 0. Totals 20 0 5 0.

LINN-MAR (10)
Greve, p, 3 2 1 1, Strellner, ss, 0 0 0 0, Bogert, 2b, 4 1 0 0, Redmond, cf, 4 0 1 1, Stickney, lf, 3 1 2 0, Stroschein, 3b, 2 0 0 1, Roth, dh, 2 2 1 0, Stolley, 1b, 2 1 1 0, Kruse, pr, 0 1 0 0, Banks, c, 3 0 2 1, Kvach, cr, 0 1 0 0, Wyant, p, 2 0 2 0, Mortensen, 0 1 0 0, Blackford, p, 1 0 0 0. Totals 26 10 10 4.

Waterloo East    000 00 -   0  5 8
Linn-Mar            020 53 - 10 10 1

Howard, Sahr (5) and Sahr, Scribner (5); Wyant, Blackford (5) and Banks. W - Wyant. L - Howard. 2B – Magnuson, Stickney, Roth.