Linn-Mar gets fewer runs this time but still sweeps Jefferson

CEDAR RAPIDS - When Linn-Mar played Cedar Rapids Jefferson the season's first week of the prep baseball season, the Lions scored 11 runs in the first inning en route to a blowout victory.

Linn-Mar didn't even score 11 runs in two games last night against the J-Hawks, but the Lions still managed a pair of victories.

Linn-Mar knocked off Jefferson, 5-4, in the first game and 5-3 in the second at Lower Kingston.

"We came into this game with the same mindset, but didn't want it as bad as that first game, we still won though," sophomore Nate Greve said.

Jefferson jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the opener and kept it until the seventh inning, never leading by more than two runs.

Linn-Mar's Michael Redmond hit an RBI single in the seventh, scoring Greve to tie the ballgame at 4.

Junior Austin Stroschein walked after Greve scored, giving the Lions runners at the corners with two outs. Stroschein then got into a rundown trying to steal second, but the J-Hawks failed to tag him out, allowing Redmond to score the go-ahead run.

Greve finished with three hits in the game, including a pair of doubles. He also relieved Lion starter Keaton Blackford with four innings of solid pitching, giving up just one run on one hit.

J-Hawk senior Colten Jordan pitched the complete opening game for Jefferson, giving up five runs on 10 hits.

In the nightcap, Jefferson again jumped out to the early lead with a run in the first inning. The Lions responded right back in the second though, taking the 2-1 lead on a couple of J-Hawk errors.

Jefferson did retake the lead in the fourth inning, leading 3-2, but Linn-Mar claimed it for good in the fifth. Lion junior Justin Wyant pitched the complete game, striking out eight.

"I'm proud we grinded out a couple of wins against a vastly improved Jefferson squad," Lion Coach Chad Lechner said.

Redmond led the way for the Lions on the night with four combined hits. J-Hawk senior Chance Tiedke finished the night with a three doubles to lead Jefferson.