Stroschein grand slam helps rally Linn-Mar to big split with top-ranked Kennedy (w/video and photo gallery)

CEDAR RAPIDS - He'll probably continue to get a little ribbing for the pratfall after rounding first base, but forgive Austin Stroschein. You don't hit grand slams every day.

“I didn't even think it was gone. That's why I tripped over the bag,” the Linn-Mar third baseman said after his Lions split a key MVC double-header Monday night with Cedar Rapids Kennedy at the Cougar diamond. “I was just trying to get as many bases as I could out of it. But it went over the fence.”

Stroschein's sixth-inning blast suddenly, shockingly tied a game Class 4A top-ranked Kennedy seemed to have wrapped. The 10th-rated Lions scored twice in the top of the seventh and hung on for a 7-6 win.

Kennedy won the opener behind the stellar complete-game pitching of Nick Appleget, 4-1. The teams remain tied atop the Mississippi Division standings.

“A special team,” Stroschein said. “We've got a lot of firepower in us, and we always battle back. A good win against a No. 1 Cougar team. Feels really good.”

Travis Kvach led off the seventh for Linn-Mar (16-7, 11-3) with a bloop single to left and stole second with one out. With two outs and runners on the corners, Kennedy pitcher Devon Jacobus threw an outside pitch that eked past catcher Jimmy Lizarraga just far enough for an alert Kvach to score.

An RBI single made it 7-5 Lions. Logan Ambrosy homered to lead off the bottom of the seventh for Kennedy (18-3, 11-3), but Alex Hayden lined to left with two on to end the game.

Linn-Mar left-fielder Nate Greve, all 5-foot-8 of him, jumped to snare the well-hit ball.

“We did what we needed to do,” said Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer. “Getting up in a pressure situation like that and making good solid contact. When outfielders are jumping and catching the ball, I guess that's unfortunate.”

“We pulled together there in a huddle in between innings a little bit,” said Linn-Mar Coach Chad Lechner. “I just said ‘I know it's hot, I know you guys are tired. But we're still playing for a conference title. You've got to have a little more life in you.'”

Stroschein provided that life. Hoyer actually questioned whether Stroschein touched first on his granny but didn't blame the umpires for failing to make a call.

“We felt like we had the game in hand and made some mental mistakes,” said Kennedy's Cody Bell, who got a tough no-decision despite pitching well in Game 2. “That happened to cost us.”

“You've got to give them credit. They hit the ball,” Hoyer said. “They got their home run with the bases loaded. We got ours with the bases empty.”

Appleget allowed only five hits and struck out seven to win the opener. Kennedy had just three hits against Greve and reliever Keaton Blackford (who got the second-game save) but took advantage of three Greve walks and a hit batsman to score three second-inning runs.

Here is a quick video interview with Stroschein: