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Metro Sports Report

Class 3A playoff games make no sense

Sat - 14 Jul Written by Jim Ecker

There is something very odd about the Class 3A baseball playoffs this year. In a nutshell, the IHSAA got it backwards.

The Marion Indians had a vastly superior season than Solon this year, yet the Indians have to play the Spartans on Solon's field Monday night in the district finals.

Likewise, the Benton Community Bobcats have to face Vinton-Shellsburg on Vinton's field even though the sixth-ranked Bobcats are the No. 1 seed in the district and the Vikings have a losing record.

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Former Metro preps in pro baseball

Sun - 15 Jul Written by Metro Sports Report

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Boston Red Sox) -- Did not play Sunday in Boston's 7-3 win at Tampa Bay. Year to date -- BA - .279, AB - 183, R - 21, H - 51, RBI - 14, 2B - 17, 3B - 2, HR - 0, SB - 0.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), MWL) -- Started in left field Sunday and was 0-for-5 with run scored in the Loons' 8-6 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits. Year to date -- BA - .261, AB - 348, R - 47, H - 91, RBI - 49, 2B - 27, 3B - 6, HR - 5, SB - 12.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), NWL) -- Started at third base Sunday and was 1-for-5 in Vancouver's 5-4 win at Boise. Vancouver totals -- BA - .178, AB - 90, R - 13, H - 16, RBI - 13, 2B - 5, 3B - 0, HR - 2, SB - 1.

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Brennan Hammer, a player at Cedar Rapids Prairie, and his pitching coach, Mike Schwabe, a former Major League player. (Photo by Ken Gilchrist)

Hammer blooms as Schwabe's star pupil

Sat - 14 Jul Written by Jim Ecker

Brennan Hammer has dreamed for several years about playing college baseball at Arizona State University, which has one of the richest traditions in the country.

He might have the talent if he continues to improve at a rapid rate, but one thing is fairly clear: He's getting the right coaching.

Hammer's head coach at Cedar Rapids Prairie is Matt Thede, who was a catcher in the minor leagues for several years. And his special pitching coach is Mike Schwabe, who spent two years in the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers and now gives lessons at the GWE Sports Center in northeast Cedar Rapids.

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Hayden saves Cougars against Waterloo East

Fri - 13 Jul Written by Tom Fruehling

Unlike their doubleheader last month when Cedar Rapids Kennedy blew out Waterloo East twice, the Cougars had to work hard to eke out a 2-0 victory Friday night at home in the first round of the Class 4A substate tournament.

Kennedy ace Alex Hayden (9-2) was all but untouchable, limiting the Trojans to just three infield hits and a bloop single to left barely over the head of third baseman Cody Bell.

The crafty right-hander struck out 11 and walked only one batter in six innings. Nick Appleget pitched the seventh inning for the save.

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Jimmy Roth (21) for the Linn-Mar Lions waits on a pick-off attempt by starting pitcher Jake Stolley in the first round of Class 4A substate baseball on Friday. The runner made it back safe, but the Lions prevailed over Burlington, 8-0. (Photo by Joe Bishop)

Stolley tosses shutout as Lions roar

Fri - 13 Jul Written by Don Taylor

The Linn-Mar Lions blanked Burlington, 8-0, in the opening round of the Class 4A substate tournament Friday night behind an outstanding pitching performance from Jake Stolley.

Stolley went the distance, giving up only four hits while striking out 11 and walking two.

“I’ve thrown the first (playoff) game each of the last two years, so I was used to the situation,” said Stolley. “So I just went out and played my game. It went pretty well. Banks (catcher Austin Banks) keeps me focused.”

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Metro Sports Report

Class 3A playoff games make no sense

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

Hammer blooms as Schwabe's star pupil

Hayden saves Cougars against Waterloo East

Stolley tosses shutout as Lions roar

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