The ace of the pitching staff is a big role for any high school player to fill, especially a freshman.

Mid-Prairie underclassman Brad Tornow found success in that spot for the Golden Hawks during the 2017 season. Tornow turned in several top performances in the conference including finishing eighth in the River Valley Conference in ERA at 2.61 for pitchers with 30 innings or more of work. Opponents hit just .249 against the Mid-Prairie lefty while he stacked up a team best and third most in the RVC six wins. Tornow also collected the first postseason win of his career this year, beating Columbus 18-0 in the opening round of class 2A district play. Tornow was also the starter in a game two win over West Burlington and was in line for the victory when weather delayed action.

Mid-Prairie finished the season 16-15, falling in the district championship round of the playoffs to No. 9 Iowa City Regina.