Thursday April 7th Local Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins decided Wednesday to postpone their season opener against the Seattle Mariners by a day until Friday because of expected bad weather. The forecast for today at Target Field called for a mix of rain and snow. Joe Ryan, a 25-year-old right-hander, is scheduled to be the first rookie to start for the Twins on opening day since Tom Hall in 1969. Acquired from Tampa Bay on July 22 in the Nelson Cruz trade, Ryan was a member of the U.S. team that won a silver medal at last summer’s Olympics. Robbie Ray is to start for the Mariners.

 

 

CEDAR RAPIDS — The NIACC baseball team completed a three-game sweep of 11th-ranked Kirkwood with a 21-17 win on Wednesday in Cedar Rapids. NIACC scored nine times in the second and seven more in the sixth for the win, which was NIACC’s highest scoring conference game by both teams since the Trojans topped Ellsworth 17-16 in the second game of a doubleheader in March 2018. NIACC’s Ike Mezzenga was 4-for-6 with three RBI. Gunnar Hansen was 3-for-6 and Cayden Nicoletto was 3-for-6 with three RBI. NIACC swept Kirkwood 13-2 and 20-12 on March 30th in Mason City. NIACC is now 14-10 overall and 4-5 in the conference and will host Southwestern in a four-game series this weekend at Roosevelt Field.

 

 

— Junior college softball Wednesday
#3 DMACC 41-35, NIACC 0-5

 

 

 

IOWA CITY — Continuity is credited for Iowa’s success on the defensive side of the football. The Hawkeyes regularly rank near the top of the Big Ten on defense and it has been the key to the program’s success. Phil Parker joined the Iowa staff in 1999 and has been the coordinator since 2012. He also credits his working relationship with linebackers coach Seth Wallace and defensive line coach Kelvin Bell.

Iowa set a program record with 25 interceptions last season and Parker says their style of zone coverage and an effective pass rush were major factors.

Bell says the Hawkeyes have been running the same defense for more than two decades.

Linebackers coach Seth Wallace says it begins with stability.

Wallace says the Hawkeyes are generating turnovers with being forced to gamble.

The Hawkeyes announced the will close out spring drills on April 23rd with an open practice.

 

 

 

 

AMES — Hunter Dekkers is ready to take over as Iowa State’s starting quarterback. The former West Sioux standout appeared in seven games the past two years behind starter Brock Purdy. It is a spot Purdy has manned since October of 2018.

That’s Cyclone offensive coordinator Tom Manning who says Dekkers’ arm strength is obvious but now it is about running the offense.

Dekkers says the goal this spring is to move the offense forward.

Dekkers says the offense received a big lift when top receiver Xavier Hutchinson decided to return for next season.

The Cyclones held their first open practice this past weekend and will open the season September 3rd at home against Southeast Missouri.

 

 

 

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State backup quarterback Aidan Bouman has entered the transfer portal. The school confirmed his decision. Bouman did not appear in a game last season after he sat out as a redshirt in 2020. Sophomore Hunter Dekkers is projected to be the successor to Brock Purdy as the starter. Freshman Rocco Becht is the only other scholarship quarterback on the team. He enrolled early and is practicing this spring. Bouman was a four-star recruit coming out of high school in Buffalo, Minnesota.

 

 

 

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa men’s basketball player Austin Ash has entered the transfer portal and will take advantage of the bonus year of eligibility granted to athletes who were on rosters during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ash said he couldn’t be more grateful for his time at Iowa. Ash was a walk-on his first four seasons before earning a scholarship prior to the 2021-22 season. The native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, appeared in a total of 44 games over four seasons. He averaged 2.6 per game in 18 appearances this past season.