Bell helps Fairfax sweep IVL twinbill

WALFORD - Cody Bell hit two home runs and picked up the victory in Game 2 as Fairfax swept Walford, 11-0 and 11-1, on Opening Day in the Iowa Valley League Sunday in Walford.

Bell and Sammy Lizarraga belted two-run homers in the first game. Tyler Dralle, Steve Jensen and Alex Hayden had two hits for Fairfax, which exploded for eight runs in the fifth inning.

Austin Czerwiez allowed only one hit in five innings in the opener for Fairfax.

Bell socked another home run in the second game and was named the Iowa  Valley League Player of the Week for his overall performance as a hitter and pitcher.

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Iowa Valley League starts Sunday

The Iowa Valley League season will begin this Sunday, May 28 with doubleheaders at Norway, Watkins and Walford.

The Metro Sports Report will be providing extensive coverage again this season.

The season runs through July 30 and will be followed by the annual IABA state tournament that runs two weeks in August.

Six-time defending IVL champion Red Top, which also claimed the IABA state title in 2016, will again be joined in the league by teams from Fairfax, Norway, Walford, Watkins and Williamsburg.

Most of the the games are played as Sunday doubleheaders. There also are also Saturday twinbills planned for June 10 when Walford hosts Norway and the annual holiday doubleheader on July 8 with Norway playing at Watkins.

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Kass, Rettenmeier honored by IVL

Billy Kass and Ben Rettenmeier have received the top honors in the Iowa Valley League for the 2016 baseball season after helping Red Top win the league and state titles.

Kass was named the MVP in the league and Rettenmeier was saluted as the Oustanding Pitcher.

Kass, a center fielder, collected five doubles, three home runs and 12 RBIs as Red Top claimed the IVL title for the fifth straight year. Rettenmeier excelled for Red Top as a starter and relief pitcher, compiling a 3-0 record and four saves. Rettenmeier did not allow a run in 26 innings.

Kass played at Solon High School and Loras College. Rettenmeier played at Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Wartburg.

Red Top claims IABA state title

NORWAY - When it comes to a battle of attrition, it's hard to beat Red Top with a state title on the line.

Actually, it's darn near impossible.

Red Top fought back through the loser's bracket this weekend and whipped Walford in back-to-back games to claim the fourth IABA state baseball title in program history.

Red Top also stormed back through the loser's bracket last year to claim the 2015 crown with a recipe of success that includes depth, versatility, strong pitching and experienced players.

Red Top whipped Walford, 12-3, in the first championship game Sunday at the famed Norway diamond to hand Walford its first loss of the tournament, then Red Top topped the Hogs again 7-1 for the title.

"We just fight," said Red Top Manager Adam Sadler. "We're confident, but we know that Walford is a good team and Norway is a good team and there are a lot of good teams in this tournament."

None of them were better than Red Top, which also won the Iowa Valley League title this season by a wide margin.

"We're prepared, but we're loose," said Sadler. "We've been in these situations before. We have a lot of veterans, so I think that's the key for us."

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