CEDAR RAPIDS — A blowout. An extra-inning thriller.
A double-header split.
Class 4A third-ranked Cedar Rapids Jefferson exploded for 15 hits in a 13-3 laugher in the opener, then Susanne Scieszinski handcuffed the J-Hawks as No. 14 Cedar Rapids Xavier claimed the nightcap, 2-1, in eight innings in a Mississippi Valley Conference softball double-header last night at Bob Erusha Field.
If Jenny Drahozal and Cedar Rapids Xavier are going to advance to state in their first year as a 4A softball school, they'll probably have to get past Cedar Rapids Jefferson in the regional finals. (Photo by Liz Martin)
The Metro is guaranteed a Class 4A team in the state softball tournament next month.
One. And one only.
Iowa City High shortstop Molly Prybil (right) tags out Cedar Rapids Xavier baserunner Kelsey Kuba-Tresnak in a softball game Tuesday at Bob Erusha Field. The Saints swept the MVC double-header, 2-1 and 5-1. (Photo by Liz Martin)
CEDAR RAPIDS — When Tyler Sampson came to the plate at the pivotal moment, one thought ruled her mind:
Don’t strand them.
Instead, she cleared them.
Sampson’s first career home run was a grand slam, a tie-breaking poke to left-center field that completed Class 4A 12th-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier’s 2-1, 5-1 Mississippi Valley Conference softball sweep of No. 11 Iowa City High Tuesday night at Bob Erusha Field.
As the Mississippi Valley Conference softball season approaches its midpoint, the surprise team unquestionably is Iowa City High.
The Little Hawks (10-1 overall, 7-1 MVC) leads the Mississippi Division and holds a No. 11 ranking in Class 4A. They travel to No. 12 Cedar Rapids Xavier (8-3, 7-3) on Tuesday.
City High has won its last six MVC games, its last three by shutout.
Cedar Rapids Xavier's Kelsey Sargent and Kathryn Mettenberg celebrate Mettenberg's goal in the Saints' 4-2 win over Union in a Class 1A semifinals at the state soccer tournament Friday (Photo by Brian Ray)
MUSCATINE — For the sixth straight year, Cedar Rapids Xavier will play Saturday soccer at the girls’ state tournament.
The top-ranked Saints exploded for four goals in an 8 1/2-minute span early in the second half and defeated No. 4 Union, 4-2, in a Class 1A semifinal Friday afternoon at the Muscatine soccer complex.
This is a common scene at the Muscatine Soccer Complex, the Xavier Saints celebrating a Class 1A championship. They pursue their fourth in a row, beginning Thursday. (Gazette photo)
They’re both ranked No. 1, and they’re both favored to bring championships home to 42nd Street NE.
But the similarities end there for the girls’ soccer teams from Cedar Rapids Xavier and Cedar Rapids Kennedy.
Here is the first team:
Here is the first team:
Cedar Rapids Xavier has suspended its girls’ soccer coach for the remainder of the season, and will not face any penalties from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.
Xavier Athletics Director Mike Winker confirmed Tuesday that Coach Donovan Kron is suspended and will not coach any more this season.
Cedar Rapids Xavier begins its quest for a fourth consecutive girls’ Class 1A state soccer championship Tuesday.
