Cedar Rapids Kennedy continues hot start to the high school baseball season with doubleheader sweep over Cedar Rapids Washington

CEDAR RAPIDS — Ten seniors grace Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s baseball roster.

A veteran group that has played together since third grade, according to all-stater Nolan Grawe. They have grasped the reins of the program, including welcoming other classes and building team morale. The objective is to get to the state tournament and contend for a title.

“We’re just picking everyone up and holding everyone accountable,” Grawe said. “Everyone is locked in for this season. It’s good we have all these seniors who know our goal and how to execute it.”

The Cougars have enjoyed early success. Class 4A No. 5 Kennedy improved to 10-0 overall after sweeping Cedar Rapids Washington, 17-5 in six innings and 12-4, in a Mississippi Valley Conference Valley Division doubleheader Saturday at Herkelman Field.

“I’m pleased with our at-bats,” Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer said. “They were very good to us. We took advantage of the gifts, but we have to clean things up.

“If these guys are going to get where they want to get to, they have to be more consistent on the mound and defense.”

Hoyer mapped out the trek the Cougars are on this summer. They want to contend for a divisional title, become one of the few Kennedy teams to surpass 30 victories and to clear a substate hurdle that kept them from state the last couple seasons. Then, make some noise at the state tournament.

“We’re out for blood this year,” Grawe said. “We’re not leaving anything behind this year. This is our last year. We’re going for it.

“Every team is coming out to beat us. We have to come out firing every game and just keep winning. Just take every game seriously.”

The seniors will be a big part of any success. Grawe, Grant Mather, Lincoln Meyers, Matt Stoltenberg and Owen Anderson are five of the top hitters. Mather and Jace Scott are both 2-0 on the mound, ranking among Kennedy’s top pitchers.

“It’s definitely leadership by committee with the senior class,” Hoyer said. “Those kids are terrific, holding one another accountable, working hard and handle me barking at them well.”

The Cougars (7-0 in the MVC) continued their onslaught on opposing pitchers, which included eight home runs in a doubleheader sweep of Dubuque Hempstead earlier this week. Kennedy received a three-run home run from Meyers and a walk-off grand slam from Grawe to enact the mercy rule in the opener.

The Cougars have scored 121 runs and lead the state with 20 home runs. Dallas Center-Grimes is a distant second with seven home runs.

“We’ve got guys up and down our lineup that can hit the ball out of the park,” Grawe said. “We have kids on the bench able to hit the ball out of the park.

“Our bats are the biggest strength of ours.”

Grawe belted his fifth homer of the season and ranks third in the state. Mather leads the way with seven. They have engaged in some good-natured competition.

“That felt good,” Grawe said. “Grant and I have a battle going to see who can hit the most home runs this year. It will be a good race until the end.”

Jacob Doyle had two hits and three RBIs in the opener, including a two-run double in the six-run first. Owen Hutchison had a two-run single in the first. Owen Anderson added a two-run single in the fourth.

Grawe and Scott each had two-run doubles in Game 2.

Recommended Reading

Photos: C.R. Kennedy sweeps C.R. Washington in baseball doubleheader

The Cougars host defending 3A state champion and top-ranked Western Dubuque on Tuesday. They also have Linn-Mar and 4A No. 3 Iowa City High in their next three series. That will be a ood gauge to see how far they have come and how much further they need to go.

“We have to continue to improve,” Hoyer said. “The game experiences have helped our guys immensely. If they bring the right mindset every day and in practice, regardless of our opponent, they have the chance to improve their consistency and performance so they can get where they want to at the end of the year.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com