Daniels and Lizarraga lead Kennedy

CEDAR RAPIDS - Zach Daniels and Sammy Lizarraga are longtime friends.

They go fishing, although Daniels admits going along for the ride. They also go to restaurants and even battle in an occasional contest of NCAA Football or Modern Warfare 2.

More than recreational activities and video games, Cedar Rapids Kennedy's dynamic duo built that strong bond on baseball.

Daniels and Lizarraga will try to lead the Cougars back to the state tournament this season, which begins Monday at the Bob Vrbicek Metro Baseball tournament co-hosted by Kennedy and Cedar Rapids Washington. Action begins at 10 a.m.

'We're real good friends, especially during baseball season,” Lizarraga said. 'We're always together. Just the whole team is together every day during the summer, so it's a lot of fun.”

The relationship began when their fathers started coaching a Junior Cougars youth baseball team together. The pair traveled all over together with at least seven or eight current teammates. They made lifelong memories, according to Lizarraga, continuing the old roles into their senior season.

'We were both the leaders of our Junior Cougars teams,” Daniels said. 'Now, it's our turn to lead the high school team.”

Their numbers helped power Kennedy to the 2014 state quarterfinals. Both were selected to the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Super All-State team and the Iowa Newspaper Association Class 4A first-team.

They combined for 15 wins on the mound with a minuscule earned-run average. Daniels was 8-1 with a 1.01 ERA. Lizarraga went 7-1 with a 1.31 ERA. Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer said they throw in the mid-80s with command when they change speeds, making an effective formula.

'They are competitive,” Hoyer said. 'They locate their pitches pretty consistently. They get an off-speed pitch over consistently on any given night, making it tough on hitters.”

When Lizarraga isn't pitching, he is catching and calling games for Daniels and other Kennedy throwers. Hoyer said they have played together for so long that they have built a strong rapport and trust, allowing them to feed off one another. Daniels can relax with Lizarraga behind the dish.

'It's pretty cool, because he's going to have your back,” Daniels said. 'It just makes it more enjoyable when you're out there.

'It's very comfortable. He has always caught me and he knows my pitches and where I throw them.”

Daniels also excelled at the plate, hitting .467 with 57 hits, including 13 doubles and 32 RBIs. Lizarraga has seen enough of Daniels to know what he brings to the table. He said some opponents may be deceived by Daniels' smaller frame, but learn quickly.

'He does fundamentals right,” Lizarraga said. 'He throws and works hard.”

Daniels said his counterpart has everything needed to thrive on the diamond.

'He knows the game really well,” Daniels said. 'He has the size and talent.”

Both are quick to credit teammates. Neither rely on strikeouts and depend on their defense to get outs.

'I think the credit goes to Zach and I too much,” Lizarraga said. 'In reality, all we do is hit the mitt and they put the ball in play. Our guys make the plays.”

Blake Hargens provides a strong third starter, posting an 8-1 mark with a 1.10 ERA last season. With him and some new faces, the Cougars have a deep staff that might be the strength of this squad.

'We think we have some pretty good pitching depth,” Hoyer said. 'I think with everybody coming back and that certainly helps.”

Kennedy fell to eventual state champion Southeast Polk, 1-0, at state. Lizarraga said the Cougars will benefit from the experience. As much as Hoyer and staff tell players to focus on the next pitch, the finish adds fuel to some players' fires.

'We all thought we could make it further than we did,” Daniels said. 'I think about it all the time. It's just in the back of my mind.

'I think it is motivation for most of the kids on the team last year.”

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