Iowa High School Baseball Notes: No. 5 Cedar Rapids Kennedy ranks among state’s best offenses

Cedar Rapids Kennedy didn’t take long to get into the swing of the prep baseball season.

The Cougars have produced lots of hits and runs early, battering the opposition.

“We’ve been doing some real good things,” Cedar Rapids Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer said. “The kids worked their tails off in the offseason and it certainly looks that way when you see what we’ve been able to do, so far.”

Kennedy ranks among the state’s best in double-digit offensive categories after a Mississippi Valley Conference doubleheader split with Class 3A top-ranked Western Dubuque Tuesday in Farley. The 4A No. 5 Cougars moved to 12-3.

“They continue to work hard,” Hoyer said. “It’s nice to see they are getting some results from all that practicing.”

Hoyer noted Kennedy hasn’t faced elite pitching that could await later in the season, like Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Maddux Frese and Ankeny Centennial’s Joey Oakie, but the numbers still garner attention.

Kennedy ranks in the top-five in the state and top-three in 4A for at least 11 offensive areas. The Cougars average 10.1 runs per game, leading 4A in runs (151) and RBIs (126) and tied for second in home runs.

The Cougars also lead the class in hits (156), total bases (240) and slugging percentage (.565), which is an indication of their penchant for extra-base hits. Their 49 doubles are tops in the state and 18 more than the next team Mason City Newman. They are fourth statewide with a 4A best seven triples.

“You hope they get off to a good start and it gets better from there,” Hoyer said. “They played a lot of fall and spring baseball. You just don’t know how they’re going to respond until they get going. You hope they get off to a nice start. It helps their confidence.

“We constantly talked about being patient with themselves and their development. Just keep grinding away.”

Production has come from the whole team.

Nolan Grawe has 28 hits to pace Kennedy. Rowan Donels has 25 and Grant Mather is third at 20. Donels has a team-high 21 RBIs followed by Mather’s 18. Seven Cougars have at least 10 RBIs and eight have reached double digits in hits and runs.

Colby Dolphin, Mather and Matt Stoltenberg each have two home runs. In the 10-7 win at West Des Moines Valley, Dolphin led off with a home run and pitched 2 1/3 of relief, retiring the last seven batters of the game.

Hoyer also recognized Donels’ offensive potential last season, despite struggles in competition. Donels has put it together, batting .543 with a .650 on-base percentage.

“It starts with your seniors,” Hoyer said. “Rowan Donels’ numbers are extremely impressive. Colby Dolphin has had some impressive at-bats as well.”

Kennedy hosts Linn-Mar Friday. The doubleheader will be a rare home contest in the first half of the season. The Cougars have played 12 of 15 games on the road and play 15 of their first 20 away from home.

“That is another thing we’ve learned about our kids,” Hoyer said. “They can handle playing on the road.”

Kennedy beat the defending 3A state champions, 15-6, in the opener Tuesday. Donels had four hits, while Grawe and Mather added three apiece. Donels also pitched five innings for the win.

Western Dubuque rebounded for a 16-5 win in the nightcap. Kennedy received a good gauge and weren’t intimidated by the talented Bobcat batters.

“It’s been a real enjoyable group because they’re so coachable,” Hoyer said. “They play hard. They never give up and really enjoy each other. I feel like they play for each other, which is so rewarding as a coach to see.”

MONTEZUMA’S COOK STRUCK OUT 17

Montezuma’s Owen Cook is tied for second in the state for single-game strikeouts this season. The senior received the start for the Braves’ season-opener against Colfax-Mingo on May 24 at Montezuma and struck out 17.

His performance is in a six-way tie behind Lake Mills’ Eli Menke, who fanned 20 against West Hancock on May 22. Clayton Ridge’s Caden Helle also struck out 17 against Central City the first week of the season.

Cook pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit and holding the Tigerhawks to a .038 batting average. He didn’t surrender an earned run and only walked two batters, throwing 112 pitches.

Colfax-Mingo scored two unearned runs, however, and eked out a 2-1 victory in eight innings.

PRAIRIE PRODUCES HOT START

Cedar Rapids Prairie is off to its best start in at least 15 years, according to archives on Bound that only go back to 2009. The Class 4A No. 3 Hawks improved to 14-0 after Tuesday’s 11-2 and 7-1 doubleheader sweep of Dubuque Senior.

Prairie’s start is its best since winning 10 in a row to open 2021, starting 12-2 overall. The stretch marks the seventh double-digit win streak during the last 15 seasons. The Hawks won 15 straight games during the 2016 state championship season. They also posted wins streaks of 13 in 2015, 11 in 2018 and 2021 and 12 last season.