Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings: Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Western Dubuque earn No. 1 rankings

There is a new No. 1 in Class 4A baseball.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy is the latest team to earn that distinction.

The Cougars began this week with a 20-1 record, propelling them to the top of the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association statewide rankings released Monday. Kennedy has steadily climbed the rankings after starting at fifth in the preseason poll.

“(It) means we’ve been playing at a very high level all year,” Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer said. “That takes talent and maturity. Our record and current ranking reflect that.”

Kennedy has faced a tough schedule, which includes a Mississippi Valley Conference slate against eight teams ranked or receiving votes. The Cougars’ hard work has produced dividends and they are prepared for the bigger targets on their backs as the No. 1-ranked 4A team, replacing current No. 4 Johnston.

“We embrace the challenge that comes with that ranking,” Hoyer said. “Getting our opponent’s best effort helps us improve, learn and grow as a team.”

The Cougars are also perched atop a very competitive MVC Mississippi Division, battling 3A No. 1 Western Dubuque, 4A No. 6 Iowa City High and Linn-Mar, which continues to receive votes in 4A. Their lone loss came to the Bobcats and they open this week at Cedar Rapids Prairie, which received votes.

Kennedy’s offense has shined this season. It has averaged more than 11 runs per game. The Cougars lead the state in home runs with 24, led by Grant Mather’s eight. They also rank among the state leaders with 174 runs, a .341 batting average and .496 on-base percentage. Pitching has also come along nicely for a strong all-around Kennedy team.

The results may have come quicker than expected.

“Several players have improved significantly over the offseason,” Hoyer said. “We saw it in practices and were hopeful it would transfer to live games. We didn’t expect it to transfer so soon in the season.”

Iowa City Liberty debuts in the 4A rankings at No. 7. The Lightning finished last week with a 15-5 record.

Western Dubuque remains atop the 3A rankings, holding that spot from the preseason. The Bobcats were 12-4 before Monday night’s games at Cedar Falls. They end the week by hosting No. 4 Dubuque Wahlert at Farley.

“Our conference is really tough this year, for sure,” Western Dubuque Coach Casey Bryant said. “Every night is a battle and if you don’t bring your A-game it will be a rough night.

“The MVC is getting some great recognition in the polls but how we finish will tell the story of how good our conference is this year.”

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The Wamac Conference has three teams in the top 10 of 3A. Marion holds its No. 3 ranking before Monday’s doubleheader at Benton Community, which received votes in 3A. Solon moved up one spot to No. 5 and Center Point-Urbana is 10th. Cedar Rapids Xavier received votes in 3A.

In 2A, Dyersville Beckman stays at No. 3, while Anamosa comes in at seventh. Mid-Prairie is ninth. West Marshall is the new top-ranked team in 2A, swapping places with No. 2 Underwood.

South Winneshiek and Lansing Kee are ranked ninth and 10th, respectively, in 1A. Burlington Notre Dame remains No. 1 in the smallest class.

Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 4A rankings

1. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (20-1)

2. Ankeny Centennial (13-3)

3. Dallas Center-Grimes (16-1)

4. Johnston (15-3)

5. Waukee (15-4)

6. Iowa City High (16-4)

7. Southeast Polk (14-7)

8. Iowa City Liberty (15-5)

9. Waukee Northwest (12-8)

10. West Des Moines Dowling (8-7)

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Cedar Rapids Prairie (13-8), Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln (13-6), Davenport North (14-6), Linn-Mar (11-6), Sioux City East (12-5)

Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 3A rankings

1. Western Dubuque (12-4)

2. North Polk (12-2)

3. Marion (15-1)

4. Dubuque Wahlert (14-3)

5. Solon (9-2)

6. Central DeWitt (9-3)

7. Harlan (12-3)

8. Sioux City Heelan (12-6)

9. Pella 11-4

10. Center Point-Urbana (13-1)

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Algona (12-4), Benton Community (15-4), Bondurant-Farrar (10-7), Cedar Rapids Xavier (9-9), Davenport Assumption (9-7)

Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A rankings

1. West Marshall (17-1)

2. Underwood (8-1)

3. Dyersville Beckman (11-2)

4. Van Meter (17-1)

5. Des Moines Christian (11-2)

6. New Hampton (14-2),

7. Anamosa (11-2)

8. Estherville-Lincoln Central (10-3)

9. Mid-Prairie (10-3)

10. Sumner-Fredericksburg (12-1)

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Clarinda (8-1), Jesup (8-2), Pleasantville (9-6), Truro I-35 (12-2), West Lyon (7-1)

Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 1A rankings

1. Burlington Notre Dame (13-1)

2. Lynnville-Sully (15-0)

3. Akron-Westfield (11-1)

4. Remsen St. Mary’s (11-1)

5. Mason City Newman (14-3)

6. Saint Ansgar (10-2)

7. Tri-Center (10-1)

8. Wapsie Valley (15-5)

9. South Winneshiek (7-2)

10. Lansing Kee (14-3)

Other receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Algona Garrigan (10-3), Logan-Magnolia (10-3), North Linn (10-3), Woodbine (10-0), Woodbury Central (11-2)

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com