The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks ended their 2012 state tournament run Wednesday by splitting a pair of consolation contests. In game one the Golden Hawks took out some Tuesday frustration on Davenport Assumption, blasting the Knights 9-0. Mid-Prairie jumped on the Knights with one in the first and pushed across six runs in a big second inning, sending 11 batters to the plate in the frame. Mid-Prairie’s pitching and defense were spectacular against the Knight’s high powered offense as Olivia Lugar and Taylor Kurtz combined on a two hit complete game shut out.
Just over two hours later and following a lightening delay the #4 Golden Hawks were back on the field taking on the #7 East Marshall Mustangs in the 5th place game. Mid-Prairie threatened all day but unlike the morning session never could break through falling to the Mustangs 3-0. Opportunities abounded for the Golden Hawks against East Marshall starter Mariah Fritz who surrendered three walks and six hits while her defense made five errors behind her. Following the 5th place game Mid-Prairie Head Coach Justin Lutjen spoke about his team’s offense with runners on base.
“I think unfortunately the story of this tournament is just going to be the missed opportunities and all of the runners left on the bases It’s great to get them on base, but you have to get them in. Unfortunately we just couldn’t get them in,” Lutjen said, “I’m so proud of what these girl accomplished, I think it is the best winning percentage in school history, and unfortunately also we had to say goodbye to three great seniors who’s career’s just came to a close, right now that’s the toughest thing to swallow.”
The Mid-Prairie offense stranded 30 runners on base during their three games in Ft. Dodge. The Mid-Prairie pitching and defense were once again good enough to win with Lugar going the distance surrendering just three runs to a Mustang team with an overall batting average right at .400. With the loss Mid-Prairie takes home 6th place at the 2012 state tournament, it’s the Golden Hawks third straight visit to Ft. Dodge and sixth in the last eight years. Coach Lutjen talked about the contributions of this year’s senior class to his team and the program.
““[The Seniors] have been great, I’ve known these kids since I’ve been at Mid-Prairie for five years,” Lutjen said. “They’ve been great leaders, great teammates, they’ve taken younger kids under their wings and showed them how to play Mid- Prairie softball. They’re going to go on and do great things in life.”
Mid-Prairie ends the year at 32-12.