Large-school teams await postseason assignments

Postseason pairings have begun trickling in from the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

The small school assignments have been released with the Class 3A and 4A groupings expected Thursday afternoon.

The latest state rankings have three Cedar Rapids and Iowa City schools in the top four of 4A with two more Mississippi Valley Conference teams ranked or have been in recent polls. The question is whether their paths intersect in the postseason or if there is a possibility they could be sent in different directions for a chance to reach Principal Park in Des Moines.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson Coach Kyle Rodenkirk doesn't envy the decision-makers in this case.

'I know I wouldn't want to be the state,' said Rodenkirk, leading the J-Hawks to a 17-7 mark and fourth in the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings. 'It's going to be a tough one for them to decide.'

Iowa City West, state runner-up the last two seasons, is ranked second with an 18-4 mark before Wednesday. Cedar Rapids Prairie is third at 18-4 before a MVC Mississippi doubleheader with Dubuque Hempstead.

MVC Valley leader Dubuque Senior (17-5) is seventh in the coaches' poll. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (13-8) has been ranked as high as fifth. The hope is the state's top eight teams will reach the state quarterfinals, instead of knocking each other out in substate games along the way.

'I know he'll do a terrific job of balancing out substates,' Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer said. 'I think they will do their best to separate top teams.'

IHSAA Assistant Director Todd Tharp is involved in baseball. He said baseball is tougher than any other sport, trying to round up results, makeup dates and gathering as much information as possible. Many variables influence the final assignments, including performance and geography.

Highly-ranked teams seemed to go in different directions in 1A. In 2A, ninth-ranked Monticello, No. 10 Cascade and Dyersville Beckman, which received votes and beat Cascade, are in the same district or substate.

'In 4A, we have a little more flexibility in geography,' Tharp said. 'We are trying to look at the entire body of work by everybody.'

Rodenkirk mentioned that last year the J-Hawks had favorable postseason matchups, but failed to reach Des Moines. He said things change each year and teams have to rise to the challenge.

'It's just the cards you are dealt,' Rodenkirk said. 'The best team will go to state and you better be the best team.'

Rodenkirk said he could see two of the teams being paired together, but doubts three teams will have to battle for the same 4A state berth.

After the J-Hawks split a doubleheader with Prairie last Friday in a game with a substate atmosphere, Prairie Coach Todd Rima was asked if he had a feeling they could meet again in the postseason or be sent in different directions.

'I know what my gut tells me and it makes me nervous,' Rima said. 'If we're not two of the top eight teams in the state then I'd be surprised.'

Jefferson, Prairie and West are all within about 20 minutes of each other. The Hawks also split a conference doubleheader with West last week. Kennedy swept Prairie in back-to-back nights, while falling to Senior in a twin bill. The regular season matchups might affect seeding, but they mean little when the teams take the field in the postseason.

'It helps in some respect,' Hoyer said. 'It still comes down to who makes plays that night.'

VAN SCOYOC CONTINUES TALKS

Spencer Van Scoyoc remains with Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The 19th-round draft pick of the Toronto Blue Jays is expected to be in the J-Hawks lineup for a crucial doubleheader with Dubuque Senior at home Friday.

'We're just waiting,' Van Scoyoc said Friday after a doubleheader split with Cedar Rapids Prairie. 'We are in negotiations right now.'

Van Scoyoc, who signed with Arizona State University, is batting .477 with nine home runs. He owns a .596 on-base percentage, drawing 11 walks and tallying 21 hits with 20 RBIs. The left-hander is 0-1 despite an earned-run average of 1.75 and opposing batters hitting just .130 against him.

BIG TRI-RIVERS VICTORIES

Lisbon has earned victories over ranked conference opponents in the last two weeks. The Lions swept host third-ranked Alburnett, 4-3 and 8-5, on Monday. Lisbon also split with seventh-ranked North Linn on June 20, capturing a 3-0 victory in the nightcap.

The Lions are 17-8 and received votes in the latest 1A rankings by the IHSBCA.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com