Metro Sports Report

Washington players Johnny Dobbs (18), Noah Burdt (14), A.J. Puk (11) and Chris Harrington (13) mob Zac Gillis (obscured) after he delivered a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday that beat Kennedy, 3-2, and put the Warriors into Wednesday championship game of the Bob Vrbicek Metro Tournament. (Photo by Margaret O'Banion)

Warriors top Cougars for spot in finals

Wed - 22 May Written by Don Taylor

Zac Gillis singled with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning Tuesday night to give Washington a 3-2 victory over Kennedy in the semifinals of the Bob Vrbicek Metro Baseball Tournament.

The Warriors (2-0) will face Xavier (2-0) in the finals Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

“I was a bit nervous, but on the second pitch I got what I was looking for,” said Gillis. “I went oppo (opposite field) and we got the hit we needed to win the game.”

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Harrison enjoys hot start with Kernels

Tue - 21 May Written by S.D. Buhr

One of the top-ranked high school power hitters at the time, Travis Harrison was drafted by the Minnesota Twins with a supplemental first round pick (the 50th overall) in 2011.

He signed a $1.05 million bonus to join the Twins organization and bypassed a scholarship offer to play baseball for USC.

There's never been much doubt about Harrison's ability to hit a baseball. The question in many minds is what his ultimate defensive position will be. Right now, the Twins are working with Harrison to develop his skills at third base for the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

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Local players in pro baseball

Tue - 21 May Written by Metro Sports Report

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in left field Tuesday and was 2-for-5 with a home run and an RBI in the Quakes' 13-12 loss at Lancaster. Season stats: G - 38, Avg. - .281, AB - 139, H - 39, HR - 5, RBI - 22, SB - 5.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at first base Tuesday and was 0-for-3 with a walk in the Lugnuts' 8-5 win over Lake County. Season stats: G - 36, Avg. - .197, AB - 117, H - 23, HR - 3, RBI - 11, SB - 0.

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Entered Tuesday's game in right field in the sixth inning and was 1-for-2 in the Cubs' 5-4 loss to the Pirates. Season stats: G - 10, Avg. - .350, AB - 20, H - 7, HR - 1, RBI - 1, SB - 0.

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Linn-Mar's Jimmy Roth (center) is sandwiched between teammates Mitch Stickney (15) and Austin Stroschein after delivering the game-winning hit in the bottom of the seventh inning in a 4-3 win over Prairie on Monda night in the first round of the Bob Vrbicek Metro Tournament at Linn-Mar. (Photo by Ken Gilchrist)

Roth lifts Lions; Saints rip J-Hawks

Mon - 20 May Written by Jim Ecker

Jimmy Roth noticed the lightning in the distance when he came to bat in the bottom of the seventh inning with the score tied, the bases loaded and two outs Monday night.

The slender senior seized the moment and produced a little lightning of his own.

Roth's single to left field lifted Linn-Mar by Prairie, 4-3, in the opening round of the Bob Vrbicek Metro Baseball Tournament at the new Linn-Mar field.

"It was a really big win against a very good team," said Roth, who looped an 0-2 pitch to the opposite field for the game-winner. "It was just a great game to win, especially at the new complex. It's a confidence booster."

The game probably would have been suspended if Roth hadn't gotten his clutch hit, because the lightning strikes were about 10 miles away and headed toward the field.

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Washington freshman Johnny Dobbs belts a two-run home run that lifted the Warriors to an 8-6, eight-inning win over Mount Vernon Monday in the first round of the Bob Vrbicek Metro Tournament at Marion. (Photo by Margaret O'Banion)

Dobbs' blast lifts Wash past Mustangs

Mon - 20 May Written by Don Taylor

Johnny Dobbs' two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning broke a 6-6 tie and sent Washington past Mount Vernon, 8-6, Monday in the first round of the Bob Vrbicek Metro Tournament at Marion.

Washington built a 5-1 lead in the first five innings behind the two-hit, 14-strikeout pitching of senior A.J. Puk. But Puk was done after five and the Warriors' defense deserted them in the bottom of the seventh when they committed four errors and Mount Vernon scored four runs to tie the game, 6-6.

Puk also contributed three hits, including a solo home run in the sixth inning.

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