Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings: Linn-Mar debuts at No. 9 in Class 4A poll

Camaraderie built on competition Linn-Mar baseball has parlayed that philosophy into excitement and a successful start.

The “Lion Olympics” are occasionally held at the end of practice, splitting the team into groups and pitting players against each other in various baseball skills and drills.

“It can get very competitive and it can be a lot of fun,” Linn-Mar Coach Kyle Rodenkirk said with a laugh. “I try to teach the game of life through the game of baseball. It’s a child’s game. We magnify it so much.

“Have some fun with it. Yes, we’re going to be disciplined and work hard but we’re going to have fun, too.”

Linn-Mar’s approach has paid dividends. The Lions are 7-2 and debuted at ninth in the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 4A rankings released Monday. Linn-Mar is one of three Metro teams in the 4A poll and four overall.

“I’m happy for our guys that they are getting some recognition, collectively, as a team,” Rodenkirk said, “but we have a lot of work to do to achieve our season goals.”,

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The Lions are separated into three teams in the Lion Olympics. They score points based on position-specific defensive plays, miscellaneous tasks and how they hit off a pitching machine. The winning team selects a good-natured punishment for the other two. Plenty of bragging rights are at stake, too.

“We’re all very competitive and like to win,” Linn-Mar senior Jackson Mishler said. “Those practices are fun. They get after it.”

The Lions split with previously ranked Cedar Falls and 4A No. 6 Cedar Rapids Prairie. They swept Iowa City West and Waterloo West, adding a victory over Benton Community in non-conference play.

The contests among teammates have prepared them for the tough Mississippi Valley Conference schedule that includes six ranked teams and another receiving votes.

“We’re just ready,” Mishler said. “We’ve been in those positions before in practice. Put a lot of pressure on us in practice with team defense and everything. We’re ready for those moments.”

Cedar Rapids Kennedy climbed three spots to No. 2 after a 10-0 start. The Cougars offense leads the state with 121 runs scored. Iowa City High holds its spot at No. 3.

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In 3A, two-time defending state champion Western Dubuque maintains its spot at No. 1. The Bobcats are 4-1 and travel to Kennedy in a ranked showdown Tuesday. Marion jumped three spots and comes in third, while Solon debuts at No. 10.

Dyersville Beckman and Mid-Prairie remain in the 2A poll. The Blazers stayed at third but the Golden Hawks moved up a spot to fifth. North Linn is No. 8 in Class 1A.

Johnston (4A), Underwood (2A) and Burlington Notre Dame (1A) are all top-ranked.

Class 4A Iowa high school baseball rankings

1. Johnston (10-0)

2. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (10-0)

3. Iowa City High (9-1)

4. Dallas Center-Grimes (8-0)

5. Ankeny Centennial (4-1)

6. Cedar Rapids Prairie (5-2)

7. Southeast Polk (9-1)

8. West Des Moines Dowling (4-1)

9. Linn-Mar (7-2)

10. Sioux City East (7-1)

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Cedar Falls (5-2), Indianola (4-2), Urbandale (4-2), Waukee (5-3), Waukee Northwest (6-5)

Class 3A Iowa high school baseball rankings

1. Western Dubuque (4-1)

2. North Polk (5-2)

3. Marion (6-0)

4. Sioux City Heelan (6-1)

5. Central DeWitt (1-0)

6. Dubuque Wahlert (5-3)

7. Bondurant-Farrar (6-2)

8. Harlan (5-1)

9. Davenport Assumption (2-3)

10. Solon (5-1)

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Boone (5-2), Center Point-Urbana (6-0), Council Bluffs Lewis Central (4-2), Pella (4-1), Cedar Rapids Xavier (3-4)

Class 2A Iowa high school baseball rankings

1. Underwood (2-0)

2. West Marshall (8-1)

3. Dyersville Beckman (6-1)

4. Van Meter (7-1)

5. Mid-Prairie (4-1)

6. Estherville-Lincoln Central (7-0)

7. Pleasantville (3-2)

8. New Hampton (6-1)

9. Des Moines Christian (4-0)

10. Roland-Story (7-2)

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Anamosa (2-2), Carroll Kuemper (2-2), Cascade (1-2), Pella Christian (5-3), Spirit Lake (5-0)

Class 1A Iowa high school baseball rankings

1. Burlington Notre Dame (3-0)

2. Akron-Westfield (6-0)

3. Lynnville-Sully (5-0)

4. Remsen St. Mary’s (4-0)

t-5. Wapsie Valley (7-1)

t-5. Saint Ansgar (2-1)

7. Mason City Newman (5-2)

8. North Linn (3-1)

9. Tri-Center (5-0)

10. Grand View Christian (5-0)

Other receiving votes (listed alphabetically): Ankeny Christian (4-1), Coon Rapids-Bayard (2-4), Hillcrest Academy (1-0), Sigourney (3-0), South Winneshiek (0-1)

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com