Metro Sports Report

Xavier's Brown baffles Lions again

Zach Brown faced Linn-Mar in the Bob Vrbicek Metro Baseball tournament in May and twirled a no-hitter.

The Lions faced Brown again Wednesday at Xavier hoping for a little pay back.

But it was not to be.

Brown gave up two runs on only three hits in six innings and beat Linn-Mar again to win Game 2 of a doubleheader, 3-2, and earn a split for the night. Linn-Mar won the opener, 8-2.

Prairie hammers J-Hawks in sweep

Pitching that ranged from solid to stellar allowed Cedar Rapids Prairie to sweep a doubleheader from Jefferson Wednesday night at Jefferson’s home field.

The stellar performance came in the first game from Spencer Dean. The senior right-hander allowed just one hit in a 15-1 rout. The Hawks took the nightcap, 7-4.

With Dean striking out five J-Hawks while walking one, Prairie scored in every inning but the first, touching three pitchers for 16 hits.

Local players in pro baseball

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Rancho Cucamonga (Dodgers)) - Started in right field Wednesday and was 1-for-4 with a double and run scored in the Quakes' 8-2 loss at Lake Elsinore. Season stats: G - 52, Avg. - .254, AB - 189, H - 48, HR - 6, RBI - 24, SB - 6.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Lansing (Blue Jays)) - Started at second base Wednesday and was 0-for-3 in the Lugnuts' 6-2 win over South Bend. Is mired in an 0-for-18 slump that has dropped his average from .205 to .184. Season stats: G - 53, Avg. - .184, AB - 174, H - 32, HR - 3, RBI - 14, SB - 0.

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Started in left field Wednesday and was 1-for-3 in the Cubs' 2-1 loss to the Reds. Season stats: G - 28, Avg. - .345, AB - 58, H - 20, HR - 1, RBI - 5, SB - 0.

Warriors fall in Puk's mound farewell

It was the last night pitching on his home mound and Washington's A.J. Puk delivered in a pitchers duel Tuesday night against Kennedy.

So did Cougars hurlers Zach Daniels, David King and Derek Jacobus.

When the smoke had cleared the Cougars took a 2-0 Mississippi Valley Conference victory.

Kennedy also beat the Warriors Monday night at Kennedy, 10-0.

Puk, who was selected in the 35th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Saturday by the Detroit Tigers, is headed to the University of Florida to start summer school. He was pitching for the last time as a Warrior.

“When you have a young team like we do, you need a beacon; someone to show the way, be an example showing what it takes to be successful,” said Washington Coach Tony Lombardi.  “That is what A. J. has been for this team.  He has a tireless work ethic and our kids needed that example.”

“This was a bittersweet evening,” explained Puk. “The last start, the great memories, great friends from every year; but now it’s time to look forward to the next step in my baseball career.  I will be starting workouts and classes at Florida and beginning a new chapter.”