Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s offense erupts for 13 runs in high school baseball victory over Ankeny

CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s lineup is a powder keg of run production.

All it takes is for a Cougar to light the fuse and their offense is simply combustible,

“We’re never out of any game with this lineup,” Kennedy’s Grant Mather said. “Just chip away. Do the right things. Get on base and move runners over.

“Hitting is contagious. Once one guy gets a good hit, pitchers might get rattled and everyone else hops on.”

Despite spotting Ankeny four runs in the top of the first, Kennedy’s bats erased the early deficit and erupted for runs in all but one inning of a 13-8 victory Saturday afternoon at Herkelman Field. The Class 4A No. 5 Cougars capped a 6-0 opening week.

The offense has wreaked havoc on opponents, averaging almost 11 runs a game.

“I’m very pleased with the at-bats we’re putting together,” Cougars Coach Bret Hoyer said. “We feel like we have about 12 guys that can be in the lineup at any point in time and have the same results.”

Ankeny (1-3) sent nine batters to the plate in the first, scoring four runs on five hits. It didn’t take Kennedy long to take control, answering with one in the first. The Cougars followed with five in the second inning.

Mather walked and Lincoln Meyers was hit by a pitch. No. 9 batter Owen Hutchison stepped to the plate and hit a line-drive home run that cleared the left-field fence, tying the game at 4 apiece.

Hutchison demonstrates the depth of the Cougars’ lineup. Hoyer said he could hit higher in the lineup and even be a No. 3 hitter for other teams, but Hutchison has a team-first attitude.

“He’s one of the most selfless players I’ve ever been around,” Hoyer said. “He’s a special kid. He’s dangerous down there. He knows his role is to have good at-bats and make it tough on pitchers and turn the lineup over. He’s accepted that role.”

Ty Donels followed Hutchison’s blast with a double and Trevor Scott added an RBI single to give Kennedy the lead. Scott scored in each of the first two innings, making it 6-4 after two.

Mather doubled and scored on an Owen Anderson sacrifice fly in the third. Mather also capped a five-run fourth with a two-run home run that clanged off the scoreboard in left field. Mather finished 2-for-3 with three runs and two RBIs.

“The swing felt pretty good today,” Mather said. “I was just trying to hunt pitches over the plate that I could get a hold of and do some damage with.”

Nolan Grawe had two doubles, driving in a run in the fifth. Donels, Scott and Meyers joined Mather and Grawe with two hits apiece. All but one Kennedy starter had at least one hit and eight scored at least one run. Six of Kennedy’s 13 hits were extra-base hits.

“We bring back eight of our nine hitters that were in our lineup at the end of last year,” Hoyer said. “They are all stronger and wiser and we have some young, talented players, too, that are in the mix. It makes it tougher on pitchers and defenses because they can hit the ball with authority.”

Jace Scott went five innings for the win. Donels pitched two innings of relief. Kennedy returns to action Monday, hosting No. 7 Ames.

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