The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk baseball team dispatched a feisty bunch from Cardinal Tuesday in the district semifinal round of the Class 2A playoffs by a 4-0 score in Mediapolis. Mid-Prairie scratched out four runs on seven hits against Landon Becker who came in with an ERA of just one half run on the season, a perfect 6-0 record, and had allowed just 12 tallies all year. A single run in the second came when Alex Bean walked, Brock Harland’s bunt was mishandled and Tyler Helmuth reached on an infield single that scored Bean. In the fourth it was two more runs with Helmuth singling, Dylan Henry reaching on an error and Cain Brown belted one of his two, two-out RBI hits on the night to make it 3-0. Brown’s RBI single in the sixth scored Henry again, pushing the Golden Hawk lead to 4-0. Brown spoke after the game about his clutch hitting. Brown said, “Obviously had to come up and try to help the team. Got another double to help the team with another run but, it was good timing I guess. My first couple at-bats I didn’t get what I wanted but, I came through in the end.”

Those four runs were more than enough for the Golden Hawk pitching staff as they no-hit Cardinal through 6 2/3 innings. Karson Grout was terrific, going five frames, not allowing a hit, walking three and striking out five. Collin Miller came on late and recorded the six out save. Grout talked after the game about what was working on the mound, and with his defense. Grout said, “My fastball was working tonight. Like it usually is. When I’m able to throw strikes, it’s hard to hit. I didn’t give up any hits but there were some walks and they put some balls in play and our guys made plays.”

Brown and Helmuth each had two with Brown and Helmuth and recorded RBI. With the win, the Golden Hawks are now 16-10 on the year and will play for the 2A District 11 Championship Saturday at Mediapolis against Van Buren.