Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s offense heats up in last 3 innings to beat Clinton in substate baseball opener

CEDAR RAPIDS — The conditions resembled the preseason more than the postseason.

The temperatures were unseasonably cool and so were Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s bats to start.

The Cougars’ offense warmed up, tallying six runs and eight hits in their final three at-bats, including a two-run single by Trevor Scott to give them the lead for good in a 7-4 win over Clinton in a Class 4A Substate 4 first-round game Friday night at Herkelman Field. Sixth-ranked Kennedy will advance to Wednesday’s substate final against the winner between Linn-Mar and Cedar Falls.

“I’m incredibly proud of them,” Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer said. “They could have panicked but they didn’t. They just kept grinding, hitting the ball hard and had good at-bats, even though they could have been frustrated with how hard they hit it and Clinton was making unbelievable plays.

“It’s a credit to the kids sticking with each other, encouraging one another to keep doing what we’re doing and finally the ball started finding some (outfield) grass.”

Kennedy ranks among the 4A leaders in offense. It managed just one run on three hits through the first three innings against River Kings lefty Lucas Weiner. Matt Stoltenberg doubled and scored Kennedy’s initial run when Owen Anderson reached on a hard shot to third.

Scott contributed to the Cougars’ breakout fourth and fifth innings. He hit a hard shot and reached on a fielder’s choice, scoring first in the three-run fourth inning that tied the game at 4-4. Owen Anderson followed with a single. Jace Scott and Ty Donels produced two-out singles. Donels’ base hit plated two.

“I don’t think anything changed,” Trevor Scott said. “Our approach was the same throughout the game. We have a saying to just grind out at-bats. We’re looking for something we can hit and put in play.”

That is exactly what he did the next inning, providing the go-ahead RBIs. Colton Duerling, a mid-game substitution, beat out an infield single. Stoltenberg was hit by a pitch. A double steal put both in scoring position. Trevor Scott poked a line drive up the middle that plated both and the Cougars grabbed their first lead and never relinquished it.

“I’m thinking slow the game down and get my foot down,” Trevor Scott said. “Those are the two mental cues I have and everything else does the rest.

“I try to keep it simple and work it up the middle.”

Donels singled, stole a base and scored on a Rowan Donels single to pad the Cougars’ lead in the sixth. The Cougars had nine stolen bases with seven leading to runs. The aggressive style puts pressure on opponents. Hoyer gives some freedom to the players to run on their own.

“We have guys with a little bit of quickness and they work really hard at reading pitchers, comparing and talking to one another about what they’re seeing. A lot of it is those kids are seeing something and going.

“It’s not me doing much of anything. It’s the kids being smart and savvy.”

Kennedy received a solid start from Grant Mather, but Clinton chased him from the game after one batter in the fourth. Jace Scott came in and worked three innings without a run for the win. He allowed three hits but only one of them reached second base.

“I love that guy,” said Trevor Scott, who plays catcher. “That is what he does and we’ve called on him to do the last two years. He just threw strikes.”

Rowan Donels retired Clinton in order, opening with two straight strikeouts, and earned the save.

“We feel we have three No. 1 pitchers with those three guys you saw tonight,” Hoyer said. “Jace did a phenomenal job. Grant wasn’t bad. When Grant did make a mistake, they made him pay for it. You have to give Clinton credit.”

Clinton (8-26) tallied 10 hits overall. Addison Binnie, a Kirkwood commit, had a double and a two-run home run for the River Kings.

Kennedy (29-11) is one victory away from returning to state for the first time in eight seasons and soothing the sting of last year’s extra-inning substate final loss to Cedar Rapids Prairie. The Cougars have had a goal for a 30-win season. They can take care of two birds with one stone next week.

“Not too many Kennedy teams had 30 wins,” Hoyer said. “They did a ton of work in the offseason. They’ve embraced the challenge and keep working. They’ve been fantastic in practice.

“We’ll have to play extremely well against whoever we play in that environment.”