Chemistry and hard work power Jefferson

CEDAR RAPIDS - Good chemistry and a strong work ethic have produced good baseball for Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

The J-Hawks have ascended the ranks of the Mississippi Valley Conference and Class 4A by those intangibles.

Jefferson moved to fourth in the latest statewide rating from the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association and leads a highly-competitive MVC Valley Division that features four ranked teams. The J-Hawks host No. 8 Cedar Rapids Prairie in a doubleheader between division leaders Friday night, beginning at 5.

The J-Hawks are 13-3, winning 10 straight before Thursday's home games against Cedar Rapids Xavier. Jefferson Coach Kyle Rodenkirk emphasizes hard work, a cornerstone to the program.

'I preach blue-collar baseball, because that is what the West side has,” Rodenkirk said. 'We work for everything we get. The boys are really proving that this year. I'm pretty pleased with them at this point.”

Upperclassmen have provided leadership and fostered a strong camaraderie among the players. Rodenkirk said a night off likely includes a bags tournament. They are the tight-knit Rodenkirk envisioned when he took over three years ago.

Seniors Lucas Larson, Colton Knox and Tyler Konigsmark and juniors Jared Eivins, Spencer Van Scoyoc and Caleb Stekl have led the way.

'It's pretty nice to coach,” Rodenkirk said. 'I always consider May as my time to get these guys ready and June and July are for leaders to take over the team. We're there to maintain their skills.

'Those leaders have taken the reins and went with it.”

Pitching and defense have been a force for Jefferson. During the 10-game win streak, the J-Hawks have allowed more than two runs only twice. The J-Hawks rank sixth in 4A with a 1.78 earned-run average, trailing only Cedar Falls (1.63) in the MVC.

'We haven't out-slugged anyone, but if we score five or six runs a game I feel good about it because our pitching staff can do the job,” said Rodenkirk, whose team is hitting .333 with 149 hits and 110 runs. 'We are pretty fundamentally sound on defense. We're not hiding anybody out there in the field. All nine guys are top-tier players.”

Jefferson has a hectic week, squeezing in seven games in four days testing their pitching depth against Prairie (12-2). Van Scoyoc is 4-0 with a 0.67 ERA. Connor Van Scoyoc and Konigsmark are both 2-1 with a 1.58 and 2.28 ERA, respectively. Five other pitchers are 1-0.

'Prairie is one of the hottest teams right now,” Rodenkirk said. 'They are playing pretty good baseball, so it will be a pretty good test for us. We're going to be a little short staffed with pitching but that's good. The boys are hungry and want to play.”

REBUILDING REGALS

Iowa City Regina reached the state tournament last season, but much of that team was depleted by graduation and other commitments. The Regals had 40 players total for all levels last year, but that has dropped to 26 this season.

'We had to focus on not worrying about who wasn't out and worry about who is out and how to make the most of it,” said Jeff Pacha, who is in his first season as head coach after four years as an assistant to Andy Gahan, who stepped down when he accepted an elementary school principal position in Coralville. 'We've done a good job. It's been a tough situation.”

Seniors Zach Galindo, Jake Gahan, Luke Gallagher and Payton Raso, a 2014 all-stater, along with junior Jordan Nelson, who only played 3 1/3 varsity innings last year, have been leaders for a physically talented and athletic group of freshmen. Pacha said Regina's lineup has about four freshmen starters each game.

Regina was 7-8 entering Thursday's game against Bellevue. The Regals won their first five games. They have took top-ranked Cascade into extra innings before falling, 2-1, and played four games against 4A programs.

'Freshmen have done a great job, making the jump up,” Pacha said. 'Honestly, it's a bigger tribute to our seniors, who are bringing the younger guys along and showing them how we do things.

'It's been fun to watch, but we still have a long way to go.”

Regina recently competed in the Fight with Flash Crosstown Classic on Tuesday at Duane Banks Field, honoring late Iowa City teenager Austin Schroeder, who was in the Iowa City West system. Schroeder was diagnosed with cancer in 2014 and died in April at age 15.

Gate receipts were donated to the Fight with Flash Foundation and to cancer research. Pacha jumped at the chance to participate in the event, playing against West and City High.

'It's a pretty good event,” Pacha said. 'It's a good cause.”

MVC IN THE RANKINGS

Five MVC teams were in the top-10 of the IHSBCA 4A rankings released Monday.

In addition to No. 4 Jefferson and No. 8 Prairie, Linn-Mar was sixth, Iowa City West was ninth and previously top-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy was 10th. Even Dubuque Senior received votes.

All but Prairie are in the MVC Valley Division.

'We have a powerhouse for a conference,” Rodenkirk said. 'It's a good showing for the MVC.”

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