New-look J-Hawks open with win

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Jefferson's new look is not limited its switch to Columbia Blue pinstripe baseball uniforms.

These J-Hawks resembled a team poised to rebound from last year's 12-28 record in its season opener.

Jefferson hit three home runs en route to a 5-1 win over Marion in the quarterfinals of the Bob Vrbicek Metro Baseball Tournament on Monday at Jefferson. The J-Hawks will face Linn-Mar in the tournament semifinal Tuesday at Memorial Stadium at 5 p.m. The winner will play immediately after in the championship.

Second-year Jefferson Coach Kyle Rodenkirk scoured the archives and thought the design was a first for the J-Hawks.

'It is just something different,” Rodenkirk said. 'Pinstripes are definitely a baseball look. Kids seem to like it and embrace it.”

The new uniforms represent an attitude of togetherness and looking 'uniform” on the field. He thought they looked sharp on both fronts.

'We all like the new jerseys,” Senior Spencer Hunt said. 'We got four different ones. We like the new start for us.”

Hunt helped jump start the J-Hawks with a two-out solo home run in the top of the first. He sent a 3-2 pitch over the left field fence.

'I was just trying to put it in play,” Hunt said. 'He left one over the plate.”

Rodenkirk said the early lead provided a boost, while allowing the team to relax.

'It kind of woke up the dugout a little bit,” Rodenkirk said. 'The guys felt a little looser. That stuff really helps out.”

The J-Hawks have devoted the time to be more potent at the plate. They have listened to Rodenkirk's message that players don't roll out of bed and become good.

'The kids have really been working hard, especially on hitting, the past couple weeks,” Rodenkirk said. 'Some of the guys have been down here late at night, working on their swing. The hard work has been paying off.”

Jefferson used the long ball to pull away from Marion, getting a two-run home run to right-center from Marcus Colbert in a three-run third. Lucas Larsen added another solo blast to lead off the fourth, making it 5-0.

'We came out and swung the bats like we knew we could,” Hunt said. 'A lot of guys, like Marcus Colbert and Lucas Larsen, helped out and Spencer VanScoyoc just pitched a great game.”

VanScoyoc threw six innings, allowing four hits and an unearned run with six strikeouts.

'I thought we played a pretty decent ballgame,” Rodenkirk said. 'We're going to have to play real good tomorrow to take this thing.”

Linn-Mar 2, C.R. Washington 0 -

Linn-Mar pitchers Ben Hilsenbeck and Ryan Wyant stifled the Warriors, combining for a no-hit shutout in the other Metro tournament quarterfinal Monday morning at Jefferson.

Hilsenbeck threw the first five innings and Wyant closed the last two.

The Lions' Jackson Jacobs provided all the offense needed, belting a solo home run to lead off the second. All-stater Brandt Ollinger hit an RBI-double in the fifth to chase home Taylor Yoke.

The Warriors had 10 batters reach base via walk, hit batsman or fielders choice, but stranded seven, including four the final two innings.

Linn-Mar and Jefferson were originally scheduled to play Monday evening but officials determined the field unplayable after a second bout of rain that interrupted a consolation game between Marion and Washington the Warriors led 7-2 in the bottom of the fourth.

There will be no third-place game Tuesday.

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@sourcemedia.net