K.J. Pilcher

Iowa City Liberty didn’t hit a home run in its first 17 games this season. Lightning struck for four home runs, including two from Jayden Khamphilanouvong, in a 12-6 and 6-3 Mississippi Valley Conference baseball doubleheader sweep at Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

Dyersville Beckman fought through the overlap with spring sports and a tough schedule. The Class 2A No. 5 Blazers are starting to hit their stride, winning four straight with a new head coach and a switch to the River Valley Conference.

Cael Bridgewater pitched 6 1/3 innings, had two hits and a run in Class 1A No. 6 North Linn’s 8-3 high school baseball win over 2A No. 7 Cascade Tuesday afternoon at Mount Mercy’s Plaster Athletic Complex.

The Spartans rebounded from an opening game rout for a 7-5 victory over the sixth-ranked Wolves. Solon received a strong start from Jackson Link and Blake Timmons and Brett White combined to score five runs in the win.

Iowa high school baseball season is heating up. This week includes top-10 battles, evenly matched opponents and a noteworthy charity event with a baseball backdrop. Here is a look ahead to some noteworthy contests this week.

Iowa City High notched wins over Class 3A No. 1 Western Dubuque, previously ranked Waukee Northwest and Linn-Mar, which received votes. The Little Hawks returned to the rankings in the No. 9 spot in 4A.

Iowa City West baseball seniors had a busy Saturday. They started the day with an 11-9 victory over Solon before closing the evening with commencement.

Cedar Rapids Xavier junior Andrew Hamlett limits Dubuque Wahlert to one run on four hits, helping earn a Mississippi Valley Conference doubleheader split on a night they honor former Saints baseball family.

Wyatt Rinderknecht finished with six hits, three RBIs and scored twice in Benton Community’s doubleheader sweep at Class 2A No. 4 Williamsburg on Thursday night.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy averages more runs per game than any other Class 4A team through its first 15 games. The Cougars are in the top-five in at least 11 offensive categories, during a 12-3 start.

Week 3 of the Iowa high school baseball season includes top-10 battles, conference rivalries and games between streaky teams. Here is a look ahead to some noteworthy contests this week.

Mid-Prairie was a state semifinalist last season. The Golden Hawks are 5-2 this season, beating Bettendorf, 2A No. 4 Williamsburg and West Branch in their last three games and replacing Van Meter as 2A’s No. 1 team in the IHSBCA rankings.

The National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals event will return to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The multi-divisional dual competition was last held at Northern Iowa in 2011.

Linn-Mar sophomore Morgan Rupp demonstrated poise and came up clutch, sinking about a 6-footer for birdie and outlasting Cedar Rapids Washington’s Jane Petersen in a back-and-forth affair for medalist honors at the Class 4A state golf meet.

Cedar Rapids Prairie junior Logan Wagemester was equipped with his lucky tank top, a good defense and a potent offense for a no-hitter against Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The Hawks beat the J-Hawks, 11-0, in six innings.