Jefferson shares divisional baseball title

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cedar Rapids Jefferson felt a little heat on the hottest night of the summer.

The J-Hawks found the perfect way to cool off their head coach Kyle Rodenkirk.

Dumping a Gatorade cooler of ice water on him worked as well as clinching part of a division title. Class 4A third-ranked Jefferson beat Dubuque Hempstead, 3-2, last night in the nightcap of a doubleheader split, capturing a share of the Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division title.

Seniors were honored before the decisive game that secured the J-Hawks first divisional crown since 2005.

'This is something these seniors will never forget,' said Rodenkirk, a 2002 Jefferson graduate. 'This is something no one will ever take away from them. It's something to be proud of and couldn't happen to a better group of kids.'

The feat highlights a successful regular season that has resulted in 29-8 overall mark (20-6 MVC) before hosting North Scott in the first round of substate action Friday at 7.

'This team is great,' Jefferson senior shortstop Lucas Larson said. 'This year has been so much fun, capping it off with it is incredible. I couldn't imagine a greater feeling, but there still is more work to do, so we have to get back to work.'

The J-Hawks had a chance to earn a share with a win in the opener and an outright title with a sweep. Hempstead spoiled that plan with a 7-2 victory. Jefferson could have folded from disappointment, but fought back, demonstrating the blue-collar attitude that brought Rodenkirk back to his alma mater three years ago.

'I love these kids,' Rodenkirk said. 'They scratch and claw for everything we get in life. They are hard workers and they are going to go far in life because of that work ethic.'

Jefferson produced all their runs in the third inning, overcoming a 2-0 deficit. Colton Knox, who had a run-preventing, inning-ending stab at first to end the top half, was plunked to lead off Jefferson's half. After a sacrifice and a groundout, the J-Hawks woke their bats.

Spencer Van Scoyoc, Larson and Manny Olutunde had three straight singles. Larson, who hits right-handed, has become a pull hitter, but shot between first and second base chased Van Scoyoc home with the tying run.

'I was just trying to hit something hard and put it in play,' said Larson, who scored from first when the Hempstead center fielder misplayed Olutunde's base hit. 'I got the right pitch to do it and it worked out perfect.'

Jefferson relievers stifled the Mustangs. Zach Szabo, Colton Knox and Van Scoyoc pitched 4 2/3 shutout innings. Van Scoyoc retired Hempstead in order to earn the save.

Now, Jefferson will turn their attention to the postseason and its first trip to state in 17 years.

'Everyone is really locked in,' said Larson, who is Jefferson's all-time assists leader. 'That has been the big goal since day one.

'Going to state and doing some damage at state is what we have all been wanting the whole year.'

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com