Photo Courtesy of Mid-Prairie Softball Social Media

Earlier this week, the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk softball team split their first two contests of the new season. Tuesday at Joyce Park in Keokuk, the Hawks showed off their offensive firepower in a 12-8 win over the Chiefs. Mid-Prairie scored in every inning but the sixth. They led 3-2 after one, scored twice in the second, and once more in the third to lead 6-2 after three. They would add on one in the fourth, two more in the fifth and finish with a three spot in the seventh before closing down a late Keokuk rally of five runs in the final frame to secure the win. Mid-Prairie pounded out 12 hits on the night, three for extra bases. Hannah Sellers was four for five with a double, triple, two RBI and two runs scored. Sydney Knebel had three hits and drove in two, Dakota Mitchell had a trio of knocks with an RBI. Olivia Swartzentruber had a pair of RBI on two hits, one double. Knebel went the distance in the circle, giving up 10 hits, eight runs, seven earned, walking four and punching out five.

In their second game this week, Mid-Prairie met the defending Class 3A State Champion and No. 5 ranked Mt Vernon Mustangs in Kalona. The Hawks gave the ‘Stangs all they wanted before falling 3-2. Mid-Prairie took an early 1-0 lead with a Mitchell walk to start their night at the plate, Sophie Miller doubled and Mitchell came home on a wild pitch. The Mustangs answered with muscle, following a lead-off single in the second, Lilly See belted a two-run homer to give the Mustangs the lead for good. They added another run on a solo shot to left from Addison Gookin in the third to make it 3-1. Mid-Prairie got one of those back in their half, when they turned three walks into a run with Sophie Miller scampering home on a wild pitch. Down 3-2, the Hawks weren’t without chances the rest of the night. They turned the base paths into a rush hour traffic jam, drawing 10 walks from Mustang pitchers, but stranded 12 total runners. Mt. Vernon outhit Mid-Prairie 6-4. The Hawks also committed four costly errors defensively. Miller went two for three with a double, single, RBI and run scored. Brena Jehle and Brylee Gearhart had the other two hits with Mitchell scoring the other run. Knebel took the loss in the circle, working seven frames with six hits, three runs, all earned, no walks and seven Ks. Mid-Prairie is 1-1 with a road contest against Mt. Pleasant tonight.