The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk softball team is holding their final practices to prepare for the start of the new season. The Hawks are coming off of a 9-21 campaign last year that included a 7-11 mark in the River Valley Conference. Highlights for Mid-Prairie last year included wins over Fairfield, Keokuk, Regina, West Branch, Bellevue, Wilton and a sweep of Tipton.

The Golden Hawks had a team batting average of .235, seventh in the River Valley South. They were led by Cassidy Rourke with a .303 average. She finished her senior season with 30 hits, 25 runs scored and 23 RBI. Leading returner for Mid-Prairie is Rylee Vercande who finished with a .299 average for her freshman year. She had 32 total hits, 23 runs scored and 13RBI.

In the circle, the Golden Hawks had a 5.48 team ERA, sixth in the RVC South. Rourke also led the way there, compiling a senior year ERA of 5.08, eighth best in the River Valley. She threw 117 and two thirds innings. Myah Lugar returns for her junior year at Mid-Prairie after tossing 51 and a third innings last year with a 5.32 ERA. This week, Mid-Prairie head coach Mallory McArtor talked about her team’s veterans and strengths. “We have Abbi Patterson coming back. Key infielder for us, pitching and defense, most likely at second base. Karsen Jehle is a strong short stop. Myah Lugar is another pitcher and outfielder for us. Kendra Scheafer will be in the otufield. Rylee Vercande will be behind the plate and have some time in the outfield. Georgia Nisly was all-conference last year at first base and will be back.”

The Golden Hawks open the season on Monday when they host Northeast Goose Lake.