Jefferson tops Kennedy in Metro baseball showdown

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Jefferson Coach Kyle Rodenkirk has watched his team grow over the years.

The J-Hawks have taken their lumps at times, but it has made them stronger. They have matured to where they believe they will win close, hard-fought games, instead of letting them get away.

Jefferson posted two wins in as many nights, topping Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 6-2, in a battle Class 4A top-10 baseball teams Tuesday night at Herkelman Field.

'I'm happy for the boys,” Rodenkirk said. 'They have worked so hard. They have gone through quite of bit of adversity the last couple years. It's good to see them finally break through. Before we were on the fence and could go either way. We play with a lot of pizazz and a lot more confidence.”

Jefferson doubled their way to scores, using consecutive two-baggers to produce runs. It started in the opening inning.

Tyler Roeder and Spencer Van Scoyoc hit back-to-back doubles in the first, and Van Scoyoc scored on Manny Olutunde's single for a 2-0 lead.

The Cougars clawed back, tying the game in the third. Tyler Dralle drew a leadoff walk, advanced on a throwing error and scored on a single by Sammy Lizarraga, who reached the plate on a Jacob Henry groundout.

Van Scoyoc and Olutunde came through again to help the J-Hawks reclaim the lead in the fifth. Van Scoyoc tallied his second double of the game, hitting the ball down the right field line. After Lucas Larson was hit by a pitch, Olutunde hit a single to center, driving in Van Scoyoc.

Larson advanced to third and went home when the throw bounced away from the third baseman, giving Jefferson a 4-2 edge.

'I was just looking to hit the ball hard,” Olutunde said. 'Sometimes you come through and sometimes you don't. This time I did. I'm happy the team is happy. I was just doing it for the team.”

Brayden and Cam Frazier opened the sixth with two straight doubles and scored, providing some cushion to the lead. Cam Frazier had two hits, matching Van Scoyoc and Olutunde to lead the J-Hawks.

Kennedy (20-8) had opportunities, but the J-Hawks were able to pitch out of a few jams. The Cougars loaded the bases in the second without a run. They had the go-ahead run on third with one-out in the fourth, but Konigsmark got a groundout and fly ball to end the inning.

Konigsmark also thwarted a threat in the fifth when Dralle opened with a double and reached third on a pass ball. Two straight grounders to third and an inning-ending grounder to second, stranding a sixth Kennedy runner in the game.

Jefferson won its seventh straight game, improving to 26-6.

'We had good pitching (Tuesday night) and good defense,” said Rodenkirk, noting they did have a few miscues. 'We had timely hitting. We hit the ball hard.”

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