Metro Sports Report

Kepler joining Kernels; Is Buxton leaving?

Hello, Max Kepler.

Goodbye, Byron Buxton?

Kepler, a German-born outfielder, is scheduled to arrive in Cedar Rapids Wednesday afternoon and join the Kernels when they start the second half of the Midwest League season Thursday night at Wisconsin.

At this point, Kepler will be replacing pitcher Hein Robb on the 25-man roster following Robb's demotion to Elizabethton in the Appalachian League.

Local players in pro baseball

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - The Quakes did not play Tuesday. Season stats: G - 56, Avg. - .277, AB - 206, H - 57, HR - 9, RBI - 30, SB - 7.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - The Lugnuts did not play Tuesday. Season stats: G - 56, Avg. - .191, AB - 183, H - 35, HR - 3, RBI - 14, SB - 0.

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Started in center field Tuesday and was 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and double in the Cubs' 4-2 win over the Cardinals. Season stats: G - 34, Avg. - .312, AB - 77, H - 24, HR - 2, RBI - 7, SB - 0.

ANDREW HANSE (Linn-Mar, Hudson Valley (Rays)) -  Did not pitch Tuesday in the Renegades' 10-5 win over Aberdeen. Season stats: W - 0. L - 0. Sv - 0. ERA - 0.00. G - 1. IP - 2. H - 0. BB - 1. SO - 3.

Revived Saints pound Hempstead twice

The Xavier Saints looked like they might contend for the state baseball title this year when they ran away with the Metro Tournament last month, but they went into a batting slump and disappeared for a few weeks.

"We're back," senior Zach Brown announced happily Monday night.

The Saints pounded Dubuque Hempstead in a Mississippi Valley Conference doubleheader at Ken Charipar Field, 11-1 and 11-0, with both games lasting only five innings due to the mercy rule.

Hempstead arrived with an 8-4 record in the MVC, but the Mustangs had no answers for the Saints.

Mitch Keller tossed a two-hitter with eight strikeouts in the 11-1 victory, then Brown pitched a three-hitter with seven strikeouts in the 11-0 whitewash.

Marion Indians enjoy home cooking

Home for the first time since the Metro Tournament four weeks ago, the Marion baseball team took a Wamac conference doubleheader Monday night by dominating Independence, 14-1 in five innings and 9-2.

“I guess it’s just a quirk in the conference schedule,” said Marion assistant coach Tom Hauck. “It sure was nice to be back home. It feels good. The boys enjoyed it and it sparked our play. We really got the bats going.”

That may have been an understatement as the Indians amassed 25 hits in the doubleheader. Meanwhile, Marion pitchers struck out 16 and scattered nine hits.