Photo Courtesy of Mid-Prairie Softball Social Media

A long road trip and a tough test await the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk softball team Wednesday when they open Class 3A regional play in the quarterfinals at No. 11 Chariton. Mid-Prairie comes into the contest with an overall record of 16-12, and winners of three straight, beating Washington 10-5 to close the regular season. They finished 9-5 in the River Valley South, taking third place. On the year, the Hawks are hitting .347 as a team, with four players over .400, led by Gabi Robertson’s .453 average and 43 hits with 22 runs scored. Sydney Knebel has driven in 25. The Hawks team ERA is 4.02 with Knebel working 122 innings on a 3.44 mark. Chariton is 19-5 this year, champions of the South Central Conference. The Chargers beat Knoxville 2-1 in their last contest. They are ranked No. 11 in Class 3A in the final poll of the year from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. On the season, they are hitting .273 as a group, led by Haddon Anderson at .381 with 32 hits and 25 runs scored. In the circle, Chariton has a 2.48 team ERA with Layne Braby throwing 133 frames with a 2.36 ERA and 16-4 record.

You can hear all of the action live tonight between the Hawks and Chargers on AM 1380, FM 102.5 and KCIIradio.com, beginning with the Washington HyVee Pregame Show at 6:30 and first pitch at 7p.m.