Kennedy, Daniels snag MVC divisional title

CEDAR RAPIDS - In the blink of an eye, Cedar Rapids Kennedy's Zach Daniels protected himself and the Cougars lead.

His quick reflexes secured a late liner, a win and Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division bragging rights.

Daniels parlayed a hot shot off the bat of Dubuque Hempstead's Evan Kolker into a game-ending double play, helping Class 4A third-ranked Kennedy to a 4-2 win over the top-ranked Mustangs last night at Herkelman Field. The victory clinched the MVC Mississippi title and the Cougars' third in four seasons. Hempstead rebounded for a 7-5 win in the nightcap, setting a program record for wins in a season.

Daniels has made similar plays, but not to end a game, especially one with so much at stake.

'I was kind of in shock that the game ended that way,” Daniels said. 'I was pretty relieved, too, because I got myself in a hole.”

Hempstead threatened in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with just one out. Daniels ended the threat with nifty glove work. Daniels, who threw the last three innings of relief for the win, caught an instant liner off the bat of Evan Kolker about chin level, quickly gathered himself, spun around and threw a strike to Ben Sass at third to double-off the runner to end the game.

'I saw it out of the corner of my eye a little,” Daniels said. 'It was all reflex and I snagged it.”

Sass was on the same page, getting in position quickly to finish the play.

'As soon as I saw he had the ball I tried to find third as quick as I could,” Sass said. 'Luckily, I wasn't too far away, but I had to make sure he was OK first, though.”

The celebration was on after Sass stepped on the bag. The Cougars are back on top after a very shallow dip last season.

'Our goal since freshman year is to be the best in the conference and the best around here,” Sass said. 'It's a great feeling to know we kept the tradition going and to be champions after you set that goal when you're younger.”

The Cougars received a boost from sophomore Dalles Jacobus. He was recently moved to the varsity level, and has earned his spot. Jacobus hit a two-run single that chased home Daniels and Sammy Lizarraga, highlighting a three-run fifth that gave the Cougars a 4-2 lead.

Jacobus also had an RBI single in game two to put the Cougars on the board and scored the go-ahead run.

'He's done that a couple times since we've called him up,” Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer said. 'He's had some big hits for us in RBI situations with a couple outs. It's neat to see him respond to the challenge of the varsity level and the way he has responded has been encouraging.”

The opener had a postseason atmosphere and served as a good gauge with substate competition starting Saturday at home against Pleasant Valley. The Cougars thrived in that spot, claiming their seventh total MVC divisional crown.

'We were excited about the intensity and the postseason feel,” Hoyer said. 'The kids got to experience and play through the butterflies. It was exactly what I was hoping to have happen tonight.”

In the nightcap, Dan Millius threw a complete game in the win for Hempstead (34-5, 21-5). Mitch Crimmins had three hits and three RBIs for the Mustangs, who went ahead with two in the sixth.

Kennedy's Kyle Brewer provided a huge punch, ripping run over the right-field fence in the Cougars' four-run second inning. It was his second of the season and Kennedy's first at home. Sass had two hits in the second game.

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