News Summary

Cedar Rapids is gearing up for a thrilling night of high school baseball as local teams compete in the Class 3A and 4A substate semifinals. Cedar Rapids Prairie, Iowa City High, and Iowa City Liberty have already advanced to the finals. The matchups include Cedar Rapids Kennedy vs. Muscatine, Clear Creek Amana vs. Cedar Rapids Xavier, Mount Vernon vs. Marion, and Oskaloosa vs. Benton Community, making for an exciting evening for baseball fans.

Cedar Rapids Baseball Teams Gear Up for Exciting Substate Semifinals

This Monday night, the baseball scene in Cedar Rapids will be buzzing with excitement as local high school teams battle it out in the Class 3A and 4A substate semifinals. It promises to be an action-packed evening as Cedar Rapids Prairie, Iowa City High, and Iowa City Liberty have already secured their spots in Wednesday’s finals after getting byes. Fans are looking forward to what should be some nail-biting games!

CLASS 4A SUBSTATE 3

In a thrilling matchup, Muscatine (20-14) will take on Cedar Rapids Kennedy (25-12). The Cougars have been riding high after their hard-fought 9-8 victory against Cedar Rapids Washington in the first round. Key players like Leo Koester, who racked up an impressive three RBIs, and Colton Duerling with three hits, have been pivotal to their success. Kennedy has a solid track record against Muscatine, having emerged victorious in their last two meetings, including a 3-0 postseason win back in 2021.

Both teams boast an average of 7.2 runs per game, yet Kennedy’s pitching has been more formidable, allowing 1.5 runs fewer per game than their competition. Leading the way for Kennedy on the mound is Max Leno, who has tallied an incredible 43 strikeouts this season. The winning team will advance to face the tenth-ranked Waukee on Wednesday, making this match a must-watch!

CLASS 3A SUBSTATE 6

Meanwhile, it’s a showdown between Clear Creek Amana (21-12) and Cedar Rapids Xavier. Both teams had impressive opening round victories, with CCA crushing Newton 10-0 and Xavier defeating Fort Madison 12-2. The dynamic duo of Ty Fuller and Maclane Morgan for CCA will be ones to watch. Together, they combined for an impressive eight hits in their last game, continuing their momentum after rebounding from a midseason slump with 11 wins in their last 13 games.

Xavier also brings star power to the field, with Beau Morio leading the way in hits (41), RBIs (27), and boasting a batting average of .406. With both teams hungry for victory, this matchup has the stage set for an intriguing clash.

CLASS 3A SUBSTATE 5

Over in another corner, Mount Vernon (18-12) will face off against the highly-ranked Marion (24-8). Mount Vernon entered the semifinals with a commanding 8-0 win against Central DeWitt, thanks to key players like Garet Swartzendruber and Erik Lamb. But Marion is not one to underestimate, given their strong historical record of 27-6 against Mount Vernon dating back to 2009. The last game saw Marion cruising to an 11-0 win over Vinton-Shellsburg, with Jake Miller showing off his skills and leading his team with an impressive 47 hits.

CLASS 3A SUBSTATE 8

As the action heats up, Oskaloosa (17-12) is set to go head-to-head with fifth-ranked Benton Community (27-6). After a close call against Williamsburg where Benton eeked out a 3-2 victory, they are eager for their first state tournament since 2020. V.J. Schulte leads Benton with 43 hits and has also been stellar on the mound with seven wins. Oskaloosa’s Jake North has been consistent at bat, recorded 36 hits, and maintains a .383 average.

CLASS 3A SUBSTATE 4

Finally, don’t skip the battle between Maquoketa (8-27) and Western Dubuque (21-15). Maquoketa surprised everyone with a 2-0 upset against Decorah in their opener, buoyed by Jaden Fitzpatrick’s impressive complete-game two-hitter. However, Western Dubuque has a strong historical advantage against Maquoketa, boasting a 19-5 record in their previous matchups.

With all these exciting matchups coming up, local baseball fans in Cedar Rapids have a lot to cheer about! Get ready for a thrilling night of high school baseball that promises unforgettable moments and maybe even a few surprises!

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