Covering the bases: This week's top Eastern Iowa high school baseball performers and upcoming games

Some Gazette-area highlights for the week of July 1-7 and a look at the upcoming schedule in 'Covering the Bases.'

Marion captures Wamac West

The Indians swept Vinton-Shellsburg in a doubleheader Friday night at home, securing the Wamac West division title.

Marion improved to 13-1 in the division, beating the Vikings, 3-1 in 11 innings to clinch the crown and added a 4-3 victory.

Marion was 20-13 entering Saturday's doubleheader with West Delaware.

Harrison Cook's big inning

Cedar Rapids Prairie's Harrison Cook produced an inning many would consider a good day, sparking a huge inning to open the nightcap of a doubleheader sweep at Waterloo East.

After the first two batters were retired to start the game, Cook belted a solo home run that ignited a 19-run, 15-hit inning. Cook had three of those hits and drove in four runs, adding a single and double before the Trojans recorded the third out.

Prairie removed starters early, playing 22 players in the 23-4 victory.

Cook also went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs in the 15-2 opener.

Lisbon's unbeaten regular season

Class 1A second-ranked Lisbon closed the regular season as the only unbeaten team in the state.

The Lions swept fifth-ranked Alburnett to clinch the Tri-Rivers Conference, which boasts three of the top five ranked teams, and topped North Cedar, 11-9, Thursday.

Lisbon enters the postseason with a 30-0 record.

Kenyon Hosch's half-dozen

Independence senior Kenyon Hosch drove in six runs in the nightcap of a doubleheader sweep of North Fayette Valley on Tuesday.

Hosch went 2-for-4 with a triple and six RBIs, scoring twice in the 20-0 romp. He had two RBIs in a 14-10 victory in game one.

West Delaware tops No. 1 Cascade

West Delaware, which received votes in the latest Class 3A poll, defeated 2A top-ranked Cascade, 10-8, Tuesday in Cascade.

The Hawks smacked 12 hits and scored seven runs in the final three innings. Hunter Zieser led the way with two hits and three RBIs. Dunston Werner, Nick Casey and Kyle Cole added two hits and an RBI.

Werner pitched five innings for the victory. Jarod Harris pitched an inning of scoreless relief and Carson Petlon closed the final frame.

Adam Dolf downs 14

Starmont's Adam Dolf struck out 14 batters in six innings in a 13-2 victory over Clayton Ridge/Central on Thursday.

Dolf allowed just four hits for his fifth win this season. He has struck out 61 in 34 1/3 innings and has a 2.24 earned-run average.

On deck

Cedar Rapids Xavier's big week

The Saints have been one of the hottest teams recently, extending their win streak to 13 games. The 3A sixth-ranked Saints face Linn-Mar at Oak Ridge Middle School with a chance to clinch the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division, depending on the outcome of Saturday's doubleheader between Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Prairie. If that wasn't enough, Xavier hosts third-ranked Davenport Assumption, which could be a substate final opponent.

Postseason play is here

The postseason continues Tuesday for Classes 1A and 2A. District semifinals in 1A are set for Thursday. District finals for 1A and 2A are Saturday. The first round for 3A districts and 4A substates is Friday.

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