Kennedy sweeps City High in MVC baseball doubleheader

IOWA CITY — Sophomore Matt Berst and senior Zach Daniels led Cedar Rapids Kennedy to a sweep — 6-3 in eight innings and 4-1 — over Iowa City High Friday night at Mercer Park.

Game 1 of the twinbill was full of tremendous plays on the defensive side. Both teams made phenomenal diving catches. The score was knotted at 3-3 through most of the game.

The Little Hawks had what looked like a game-winning hit that went off the left field wall. The left fielder for the Cougars started a relay to Daniels, whose throw beat the City High runner at home.

With the bases loaded in the eighth inning, Berst roped a liner in the gap in right center that cleared the bases.

'The ball felt good coming off the bat. I felt confident that it would land in the gap. I was just happy I could step up for the team in a big spot,' Berst said.

Senior Sammy Lizarraga finished the job for the Cougars on the mound.

Game 2 was full of offense and Daniels was the star. The senior did a little bit of everything for his team. He went 3-for-4 with an RBI.

But his biggest contribution was on the mound. He took a no-hit shutout into the sixth inning. He gave up a one-out double to end his no-hitter, and a sacrifice ended his shutout.

'I was not too upset about his hit. I gave him a pitch to hit and that was my fault,' Daniels said. 'He got a solid swing on it and it managed to stay fair. Moving forward, I need to be more consistent with my secondary pitches.'

Lizarraga finished the day with seven strikeouts.

Kennedy improves to 14-4 while City High moves to 14-11.

l Comments: daniel.vega@thegazettecompany.com