Jeffery blazes around the basepaths for Linn-Mar

CEDAR RAPIDS - Linn-Mar Coach Chad Lechner recognized Manny Jeffery had talent. The sophomore has certainly displayed glimpses of that potential.

Jeffery scored three runs, including the first two, to help Linn-Mar to an 8-7 victory over Iowa City High in the opener of a Mississippi Valley Conference doubleheader last night at Mercer Park. The Little Hawks (9-11) ruled the nightcap, receiving a superb one-hit shutout from Brady Cotton to hand Linn-Mar a 2-0 loss.

Jeffery, who hits third in the order, has become a big part of the Linn-Mar offense.

'We knew he was talented,” Lechner said. 'You just figure you have to work him in slow and let him get some experience. He took off right from the start of the season.”

The acclimation to varsity baseball occurred quickly but wasn't easy.

'It was pretty tough,” Jeffery said. 'I just worked a lot, putting extra time in practice and it seemed to be a smooth transition.”

The hard work paid dividends last night. Jeffery reached on an infield hit in the first and forced a throwing error by the City High pitcher to advance to third. He scored on a wild pitch for a 1-0 lead.

An error put Jeffery on base in the third. He stole second and third, then scored on a wild pitch again.

'I just try my best to put the ball in play,” Jeffery said. 'I put myself in position to make plays.”

Jeffery scored in the sixth to put the Lions up, 8-5, reaching on a fielder's choice and stealing second to get into scoring position. Jeffery has worked on his speed and tries to use it to pressure the defense. Lechner said Jeffery has not been thrown out this season.

'He runs exceptionally well,” Lechner said. 'He's smooth. You don't realize how fast he's moving, because he is so fluid. He covers ground well.”

Jackson Jacobs delivered a two-run double in the sixth that proved to be the game-winner for Linn-Mar (9-12). Taylor Yoke and Ryan Wyant also had two-out RBI hits, driving in three in the fifth.

Cotton shined in the second game, allowing only a single to Jacobs in the second and just three total base runners without walking a batter.

'He works the tempo and he keeps batters off-balance,” City High Coach Brian Mitchell said. 'He does a great job mixing pitches.”

The Little Hawks were cleaner in the field in the second game. They had five errors in the first game, but just two behind Cotton.

'We did a heck of a job playing defense behind him,” Mitchell said. '(Cotton) keeps the rhythm going when your defenders are on their toes.”

Nile Ringen spoiled a solid start from Jeffery, who allowed one run on four hits through five innings. Ringen ripped a double to deep center field to drive in the first run. The Little Hawks added an insurance run in the sixth without a hit when Brett McCleary reached on an error and scored.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@sourcemedia.net