Minutes after Mid-Prairie’s Aiden Rath was tagged out at home plate in a one-run loss Monday night, and the Golden Hawks players retreated to the outfield for a postgame meeting with their …
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Minutes after Mid-Prairie’s Aiden Rath was tagged out at home plate in a one-run loss Monday night, and the Golden Hawks players retreated to the outfield for a postgame meeting with their coaches, a public-address announcement revealed the good news of the moment.
A split of its doubleheader against Iowa City Regina Catholic on Senior Night had clinched the River Valley South title for the Golden Hawks.
“That’s a goal of ours. Obviously, our goal is to go to state,” said Mid-Prairie head coach Kyle Mullet. “It’s good. I’m proud of the guys.”
Mid-Prairie begins its drive toward the state tournament on July 13, when it hosts West Burlington or Regina Catholic in a Class 2A substate quarterfinal playoff game.
The Golden Hawks (17-7, 14-4 River Valley South) drilled Regina Catholic by a score of 12-1 in a five-inning game in the doubleheader opener Monday, but a 13-12 loss in Game 2 spoiled the mood. Mid-Prairie attempted one last comeback in the seventh inning, but the tag at home left the Golden Hawks one run short.
Mullet had to use five pitchers in Game 2, including three in the first two innings when Regina scored nine runs on just one hit. The Regals walked nine times. Three batters were hit by pitches. An outfield error scored two runs.
“What do you do as a coach? Kids have to perform and they know it,” Mullet said. “I know they’re trying. It’s not like they’re out there trying to walk guys. I understand that. Something we can work on.”
Kayden Reinier, the fourth pitcher, had the best night for Mid-Prairie, striking out seven in 3.2 innings.
Still, the Golden Hawks scored 24 runs in two games. Rath hit his state-leading 12th home run in the Game 1 victory among his three hits. The Golden Hawks were held scoreless in just two innings all night long.
In Game 2, Mid-Prairie fell behind 9-4 in the second inning, but pulled ahead 10-9 in the fourth inning on a double by Karson Grout, singles by Keegan Gingerich and Collin Miller, a double steal, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Alex Bean.
The Regals went ahead 12-11 in the sixth inning on a bases-loaded walk, and a bloop single by Cameron Lehman that scored two runs. They added another run in the seventh inning, and then held off the Golden Hawks in the bottom half of the seventh despite a walk, a hit batter and a wild pitch.
