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WAUKEE – Cedar Rapids Kennedy was just three outs away from grasping another state tournament berth.
Before they could record one of those outs, Waukee rallied and snatched out of the Cougars’ claws.
Waukee rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh, getting a walk-off two-run single from Grant Sorensen to upend defending state champion Kennedy, 7-6, in the Class 4A Substate 3 high school baseball final Wednesday night at Waukee. The 10th-ranked Warriors (25-13) return to the state tournament for the second straight season and 10th time since 2014.
“We gave them everything they could handle,” Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer said. “They just came up with a few more plays in the end than we did.”
The back-and-forth contest saw six ties or lead changes. The final frame was indicative of the ebb and flow of the game.
The Warriors’ No. 9 batter Brayden Moore reached on an error. Gavin de Jesus was awarded a hit on a bunt that include a high throw, while Moore moved to third on the same play. De Jesus reached second on defensive indifference. Sorensen delivered the game-winner.
“There’s that anxiety there you have to play through,” Hoyer said. “You execute. Some do it. Some come up a little short.
“Those guys will learn from it and move forward. Their preparation and effort is top notch. I just feel bad for them. I wish I could do more for them.”
Colton Duerling, an all-stater instrumental in the Cougars title run last season, produced in key moments. He delivered a two-run bloop single that Waukee’s third baseman and short stop couldn’t handle in shallow left field in the sixth. Max Leno and Ty Donels raced home to score for a 6-5 edge until the final at-bat.
Duerling also smacked a solo home run in the fifth that briefly tied it, 4-4.
“Just kind of going to what I’ve what I’ve been working on all year,” Duerling said. “There’s a reason Hoyer had confidence in me when I came up in those big moments. Just got it done.”
Duerling also made a running grab in deep right centerfield that helped preserve the Cougars late advantage.
“That’s what seniors do, they come up big,” Hoyer said. “The catch was unbelievable. Those were some pretty big plays that a three-year starter makes.”
Cool and overcast conditions with a strong breeze blowing out to right center helped the ball carry. The teams combined for five home runs. Kennedy resembled last year’s power company, getting a two-run home run from Logan Miller in the first and a solo shot from Brady Dill in the third for a 3-1 lead.
“We’ve been hitting the ball really well,” Hoyer said. “Very proud of them. It shows the hard work they put in all year long.”
Waukee started to respond with each Cougars challenge. Matt Meeker hit a three-run home run in the third, handing Waukee its first lead at 4-3. Carter Johnson, who had a sacrifice fly in the first to score Sorensen, belted a solo home run in the fifth to regain a one-run lead.
It was a bittersweet ending for the seniors but Kennedy battled until the end.
“This team, we love each other and we left it all out there,” Duerling said. “It was a hard-fought game. They got us, but it was real fun.”
The Cougars (27-12) entered the substate final, winning 20 of their last 26 games. Hoyer said it was a product of their hard work and dedication. They just weren’t able to make the plays to finish off the win.
“They’ve improved so much. I’m just so proud of them,” Hoyer said. “They were in the right place. You saw the balls were hit right to us. They paid attention to detail. They did everything you could ask of them. The execution just wasn’t there.”
Kennedy started the season with almost a new cast from a year ago. Duerling and Donels were the main contributors back for 2025. The Cougars progressed along with the season, gaining momentum with experience.
Seven starters return for next season. The future is promising.
“We knew we lost a lot of guys,” Donels said. “We started figuring out positions and we were deep. We had a ton of guys that could do the job and we were way better than even most people thought. Everyone counted us out, but we were there every game. We could beat anybody at any time. Going into the next year, we return a lot, like two years ago after my freshman season. So, we’ll be right back here.”
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