Photo Courtesy of MP Softball Social Media

Wednesday, the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawk softball team wrapped up the River Valley Conference portion of their schedule with an 8-6 loss in Kalona to No. 11 in Class 3A West Liberty. The Comets scored twice in the first for the early lead. Mid-Prairie’s four run third gave them a 4-2 advantage. The Comet response included two in the fourth to tie the game and four, fifth inning runs, to go up 8-4. Mid-Prairie got to work late, down four going to their last at-bat, and scored twice, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

West Liberty out hit Mid-Prairie 13-5. Each team drew five walks. Brenna Jehle drove in two on two hits, including a double, and scored once. Kadence Grout, Morgyn Bender and Olivia Swartzentruber all had an RBI. Sophie Miller, Grout, Bender, and Swartzentruber scored a run. Grout went the distance in the circle, working seven innings with 12 hits, seven earned runs, five walks and two Ks. Mid-Prairie is now 7-23 on the season as West Liberty moves to 20-9. The Golden Hawks honored Gabi Robertson with a Senior Night celebration before the game.

The Golden Hawks are back on the diamond for their final regular season contest when they travel to Eddyville-Blakesburg Monday. The Hawks are hitting .279 as a team with a .368OBP and .363 slug, scoring 163 runs on 216 hits with 76 walks and 134 strikeouts. Four Golden Hawks are hitting .300 or better, led by Dakota Mitchell at .402 with 35 total hits and 35 runs scored. Grout has a team best 24RBI. Grout, Sophie Miller and Gabi Robertson are all over .300. In the circle, Grout has a 6-15 record with a .365 opponent average on 209 hits, 152 earned runs and 44 strikeouts for a 5.35ERA.

Eddyville-Blakesburg is 19-13 this season. They are ranked No. 13 in Class 2A in the latest poll from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. The Rockets were a 13-11 winner against Pleasantville last time out. EBF hits .338 as a team with a .384OBP and .479 slug with 220 runs on 302 hits, 65 walks and 122 strikeouts. Individually, three players hit .400 or better, led by Kate Shafer at .533, with 49 total hits. Morgan Lobberecht has driven in 39, and she and Molly Shafer have scored 37 times. In the circle, Lanie Batterson is 17-11 with a .242 opponent average, 180 hits, 95 earned runs and 112 strikeouts with a 3.76ERA. These two teams played a 2021 doubleheader that was swept by the Rockets. Action starts tonight at 7p.m. At EBF High School.