Ty Donels’ homer is the final twist in Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s wild state baseball semifinal win over Johnston

CEDAR RAPIDS — Ty Donels deserves a cape.

He played the role of hero when Cedar Rapids Kennedy needed it most.

The sophomore leadoff hitter summoned strength at the right time for his third home run of the season.

Donels’ two-out, 332-foot blast in the bottom of the seventh bounced in the picnic area beyond the left-field wall, capping top-ranked Kennedy’s wild 8-7 victory over No. 4 Johnston in a Class 4A state baseball semifinal Thursday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Cougars advance to the championship game here Friday at 7:30 p.m.

“I didn’t think it was going to get over the wall,” Donels said. “But when I saw it bounce ... I don’t know what it feels like. It’s still setting in. That will probably be the highlight of my baseball career.”

Kennedy (35-4) makes its first finals appearance since winning it all in 2010. The Cougars also reached the title game in 2006, 2002 and 1969. Coach Bret Hoyer has guided them to four of those appearances.

“It’s been a goal of ours since we’ve been little,” Kennedy senior Grant Mather said. “I think that’s every little ball player’s goal is to win a state title. Now that we have an opportunity, that’s pretty cool.”

The win also snapped the Dragons’ two-year championship streak and a five-year stretch of advancing to the finals.

The Cougars seemed in control when they pulled away with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Johnston rallied for six in the top of the seventh. After reliever Sam Kemmer got a groundout and strikeout, Donels delivered the walk-off shot.

Donels said Hoyer told him to get on base and all-stater Nolan Grawe, who was on-deck, would do the job. Donels took care of it himself.

“So, I was just working my approach up the middle, got into a hittable count that I liked, saw a fastball low in the zone,” said Donels, who went 3-for-3 with two walks, two RBIs and two runs scored. “That’s my pitch and I got it. That’s the best hit of my life.”

The ball was lofted in the air and continued to carry. Mather was watching and said he was hoping it could clear the tall wall. Pandemonium followed.

“It was really high hit,” Mather said. “I was just standing there admiring it for a while. I couldn’t believe it. It was crazy.”

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Photos: Cedar Rapids Kennedy vs. Johnston in Class 4A state baseball semifinals

Kennedy leads the state in numerous offensive categories, including home runs. Grawe and Mather lead the way but Hoyer wasn’t shocked that Donels provided the punch.

“I remember when he was in seventh grade with his older brother, coming up to Kennedy, and he’d put them up on our bathrooms and concessions (beyond the left-field fence),” Hoyer said. “In seventh grade, he was putting it on the roof of that thing consistently. He’s done it before. It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest.”

The semifinal victory came on the ninth anniversary of the death of former Kennedy Coach Bill Herkelman, whose name graces the team’s home field.

Herkelman was a mentor to Hoyer, who left Iowa City Regina to replace him before the 1993 season. He returned to be Hoyer’s assistant. His presence was felt Thursday.

“Herk has everything to do with it,” Hoyer said with a smile. “You better believe it.”

Johnston (34-6) forced the late heroics with a huge rally in the top of the seventh.

Kennedy starter Jace Scott was impressive, allowing one unearned run on three hits through the first six innings. He struggled in the seventh. Johnston loaded the bases with none out after consecutive singles and a walk. Scott eventually moved to the outfield when Matt Stoltenberg came in for relief.

Stotlenberg plunked three batters and was lifted for Colton Duerling. A fielder’s choice groundball pulled the Dragons within two with two outs.

Duerling got a flyball to right, which could have been the final out but it bounced out of Scott’s glove. Johnston extended the game.

“I fell like I was letting the team down,” Scott said. “I lost some of my command, loaded the bases. Then, to make matters worse, in the outfield I botch a ball and it’s a tie game.

“I think this is what’s so great about this team. We pick each other up. I couldn’t be more thankful for those guys in our dugout, for Ty and for everyone else having my back.”

The Cougars collected a few gifts in the opening inning. Donels and Grawe drew walks to lead off. Stoltenberg followed with a hopper to third and the throw for a force at second was mishandled, allowing Donels to score the first run. Grawe scored on a wild pitch with two outs, giving Kennedy an early 2-0 advantage.

Kennedy gave one back in the next inning. Max Mincks reached base on a hit by pitch. A wild pitch moved courtesy runner Caleb Hanson to second. A throwing error on a grounder with two outs allowed Hanson to scurry home, cutting the deficit in half.

Kennedy added to its lead in the fourth. Scott helped himself, leading off the frame with a single to left. Courtesy runner Jackson Popelka rushed to second on a wild pitch. Donels reached base for the third straight time, hitting a single to center, and Popelka was waved home for a 3-1 lead.

Huge swings of momentum in the sixth and seventh followed.

Johnston’s Mason Tell was hit by a pitch with two outs. Jack Ruddy followed with a sinking flyball to right center off the glove of diving center fielder Lincoln Meyers.

Tell hustled around the bases and was sent home. Owen Anderson picked up the ball and hit Donels, who relayed the ball home. Catcher Trevor Scott grabbed the throw to the first base side of the plate, lunged and tagged the runner for the third out.

The play sent the Kennedy dugout, including Hoyer, into a frenzy.

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The Cougars carried that energy into their half of the inning. Owen Hutchison was plunked to lead off the inning and Donels put down a bunt single. A fielder’s choice put runners on the corners and Hutchison scored on a wild pitch.

Stoltenberg walked and Mather executed a hit and run that plated Grawe. Stoltenberg also scored on a wild pitch and Meyers capped the four-run frame with a sac bunt that brought in Mather.

Kennedy is the first Mississippi Valley Conference team to reach the 4A final since Cedar Rapids Washington in 2018. The Warriors finished runner-up to Urbandale that year.

Hoyer said he has never experienced a game like this. He was seen celebrating with players after big moments, something he prefers to do in private. The large crowd of Kennedy supporters added to the excitement and it was balanced with the respect for the Johnston staff and players.

“We’re thrilled to be able to compete in this environment with them,” Hoyer said. “The intensity was fantastic. It’s something these kids will never forget. Something I’ll never forget, for sure.”

Cedar Rapids Kennedy 8, Johnston 7

Class 4A Semifinal

Johnston 010-000-6 -- 7-5-1

C.R. Kennedy 200-104-1 -- 8-9-3

Cade Ogden, Sam Kemmer (4), MItchell Naig (6), Kemmer (7) and Max Mincks. Jace Scott, Matt Stoltenberg (7), Colton Duerling (7) and Trevor Scott, Brady Dill (7). W - Duerling (6-1). L - Kemmer (4-2). HR - CRK: Donels (3).

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