Niemeyer sidelined, but J-Hawks roll on

DUBUQUE -- With their coach at home, the Jefferson J-Hawks swept an important softball double-header Tuesday.

Fifth-ranked Cedar Rapids Jefferson handed Dubuque Senior its first taste of defeat Tuesday with a sweep of the 10th-ranked Rams, 2-1 and 9-3.

The J-Hawks (19-3, 2-1) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning of the opener on an RBI single from Kenna Fry and then scored on an error by the second basemen.

Displaying another all-state worthy performance was Jefferson pitcher Hannah Petersen, who finished with 10 strikeouts while giving up just four hits.

“We did all we could do against her,” said Senior Coach Jason Loeffeholz.

J-Hawk assistant coach Nick Niemeyer said the girls were eager for the chance at giving Senior (18-2) its first loss.

“We knew coming in what their record was, so it was definitely on their minds,” said Niemeyer, who was filling in for his father, Coach Larry Niemeyer.

Niemeyer was released Tuesday morning from St. Luke's Hospital after having kidney surgery.

“His blood pressure was low (Sunday), and he had surgery on his right kidney,” Nick told The Gazette's Jeff Linder. “He's probably not supposed to coach again until next Monday, but knowing him he'll be back Friday for (the) Jack North (Tournament).”

After tying the nightcap at 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning, the Rams fell behind again in the third on a three-run J-Hawk rally. The J-Hawks scattered five hits in the inning, including a two-run triple from Kailey Drake.

“Between that inning and stopping the suicide squeeze attempt (in the opener), I think we took the wind out of Senior's sails a bit,” Nick Niemeyer said.

The J-Hawks added another pair of runs in the fourth inning as Senior tried its luck with its third and fourth pitchers of the day.

“We are still looking for a true No. 2,” Loeffelholz said. “We have to find some consistency there.”

The Rams gave up 11 hits in the 9-3 loss, while committing four errors.

Jefferson is at Linn-Mar this Thursday.

Larry Niemeyer is the winningest high school sports in U.S. history; he has racked up a mark of 2,072-426 in 52 seasons.

And, yes, he does get credit for any wins and losses during his absence. The J-Hawks are 4-0 while he's been away.