Linn-Mar High School - Marion, Iowa

Lions hope 'laugher' will get them going

The Linn-Mar baseball team has gone through a rough year with tight losses, injuries and all-state catcher Brandt Ollinger leaving for travel ball, but the Lions finally got to laugh a little Thursday night.

Linn-Mar belted Washington, 17-2, in four innings in the second game of a Mississippi Valley Conference doubleheader at the Linn-Mar Complex to wash away some of the frustration.

Washington took the first game, 7-3, for a much-needed victory of its own.

Linn-Mar sent 12 men to the plate and scored seven runs in the first inning of the nightcap, then sent 13 men to the plate and scored seven more times in the second for a 14-1 bulge.

"We'll take it," said Linn-Mar Coach Chad Lechner after his club won by the 15-run rule in the bottom of the fourth. "We need wins at this point to get our confidence up.

Read more...

Ryan sparks Linn-Mar at Clinton

CLINTON - Maddy Ryan had a big game for the Linn-Mar Lions Wednesday night in their 10-0 victory at Clinton.

Ryan went 2-for-3 with a double, triple and three RBIs. She also pitched a two-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts for her 19th victory.

Linn-Mar raised its record to 23-13.

Sommer shines as Lions sweep Saints

Linn-Mar senior Katie Sommer is a fierce competitor who hates to sit idly by, even when she's nursing a head injury and needs to rest for a few days.

Sommer missed four games in the Linn-Mar tournament this past weekend after being hit in the head by an errant throw last Thursday, but she returned with a vengeance Tuesday and helped the Lions sweep a twinbill from Xavier, 5-4 and 12-8.

Sommer went 4-for-6 in the doubleheader with two walks, three stolen bases, four runs scored and two sensational plays at shortstop at the Linn-Mar field.

"I just wanted to come back strong," she said. "I just wanted to do it for my team. We got the job done."

Maddy Ryan (18-11) picked up the victories in both games for Linn-Mar. She tossed a complete game in the opener, then pitched 3.2 innings in relief in the nightcap as the Lions raised their records to 22-13 overall and 15-7 in the Mississippi Valley Conference.

Read more...

Katie Sommer resting after fluke injury

Linn-Mar shortstop Kate Sommer was resting at home Friday after being injured in a fluke accident in a game Thursday night.

Sommer was hit in the forehead by a throw from the outfield during Thursday's doubleheader against Cedar Rapids Prairie. She was treated and released from St. Luke's Hospital at approximately 1 a.m. Friday.

Sommer had a headache and was dehydrated from the injury, but her mother said she did not suffer a concussion. Sommer will not play in the Linn-Mar tournament Friday and Saturday, but she hopes to return to action next week.

Sommer is an all-state shortstop who ranks among the state leaders in batting average, stolen bases and hits.