Jefferson sweeps Kennedy in clash of top 10 softball teams

CEDAR RAPIDS — No. 6 Cedar Rapids Jefferson battled for a pair of Mississippi Valley Conference wins Thursday night at the Kennedy softball field, besting the seventh-ranked Cougars 2-0 and 9-0.

'Winning conference games keeps us in the running for the conference championship,' J-Hawks Coach Brian Erbe said. 'We need to work on situational hitting and advancing runners. We need to be able to hit ground balls instead of flies.'

Jefferson has been developing its softball program at a high level for many years.

However, the competition hasn't become any easier.

'Softball in Cedar Rapids has gotten a lot better in recent years,' Erbe said. 'Kennedy is a good program.'

J-Hawk softball is an inspiration to young girls and holds high expectations for their players. Senior Victoria Brandon recalls entering the program four years ago.

'It's a high intensity program, and you know that going into it,' Brandon said. 'I remember being little and wanting to be like the older girls.'

Now that she's one of the older girls, it's tough to realize her time is coming to an end.

However, she remains focused on improvement and goals.

'Our biggest thing is communication,' she said. 'Keep talking in the dugout, keep talking in the field.'

In Game 1, Jefferson's Kaylee Donner and Erin Kuba each scored a run. Hannah Towns and Lindsey Culver each had an RBI.

Towns and Taylor Holub were both 1-for-3. On Kennedy's side, Tianna Drahn was 3-for-4.

In the nightcap, Jefferson's Avery Guy had three runs plus two RBIs. Maddie Hansen had two RBIs. Holub, Towns and Culver each scored two runs.

Culver also had two RBIs and was 2-for-4. For Kennedy, Megan Weber was 2-for-3.