Crosby's grand slam helps City High split doubleheader

IOWA CITY - Linn-Mar needed to sweep host Iowa City High to clinch the Mississippi Division of the Mississippi Valley Conference Monday night.

But this wouldn't be the special night the Lions were hoping for.

In game one, the Lions cruised to a 7-2 victory, and with it, tied the school record for number of wins in a season. All five of their runs, in the game that a continuation of a game that was halted by rain two weeks ago, came in the fourth inning, with Kevin Bogert, Michael Redmond and Austin Banks providing RBIs.

But in game two, the Little Hawks (23-13) would have their revenge.

In the bottom of the third, Josh Crosby stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. Crosby was 0-for-3 in the first game, but considering his 34 RBIs and .482 batting average, he's still a great player to have if you're City High.

And a bad opponent to have if you're Linn-Mar (26-10, 21-3 MVC). Bad as in, denying a record-breaking season and outright MVC Division championship, bad.

Down and seemingly out at 0-2 in the count, he battled, fouling off two pitches. After eight pitches, he was back to 2-2. He crushed the next pitch over the left-center field fence for the grand slam. He stomped on home plate as he let out a shout as his waiting teammates mobbed him.

“I just fought him off,” Crosby said. “He was throwing curveballs, and then he finally threw a strike. I can't say I've had a bigger hit in my career.”

Aside from that one hung fastball, Nate Greve pitched a gem. He fanned seven batters in just three innings (he was pulled after the third).

The final score was 4-1 in favor of City High.

City High's record falls to 22-4 in conference play, and in turn, the Lions share the MVC Mississippi Division title with Cedar Rapids Kennedy, which finished conference play last Friday with three wins to improve to 22-4.

Sub-state starts Friday. City High will host Dubuque Hempstead; Linn-Mar will host Burlington. Both games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

“We're definitely proud of our season,” Lions manager Chad Lechner said. “We would've liked to have (the Mississippi Division title) outright, but there is nothing wrong with sharing it with a quality team like Kennedy.”