15-1. This is how the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks finished their season. One win shy of making the state quarterfinals at the tail end of a 15-game winning streak. Coming off a season where the Hawks made it to the state semifinals, they surely hoped for more. 

The Hawks fell to Van Buren County in the 2A region 5 championship on July 11. 

Within the 15-game win streak included circus matchups like the 12-11 toppling of Durant. Tight matches like the 2-1 victory over Cascade, and dominant efforts like the 10-0 runaway win over Wilton in the quarterfinals.

The Hawks sat comfortably at second place in the state of Iowa at 2A competition, according to the High School Baseball Coaches Association. For a time, the Hawks flirted with first place, eventually falling behind Van Meter for the remainder of the season despite the impressive 15-game win streak. 

They’ll say goodbye to five seniors, each of which pulling their own weight. Cain Brown is an exceptional first baseman and leader. His chants of encouragement could be heard from the dugout at every turn of the baseball diamond.

Collin Miller was the team’s ace, starting ten games on the mound and getting another appearance. He posted a 7-0 record and hoisted a 1.68 earned run average (ERA). 

Alex Bean served as a utility man. He covered first base to start the season, eventually taking his speed to the outfield. Bean had the second most appearances on the mound with nine, eight of which were starts. 

Camron Pickard served as speed in the infield and a constant threat on the bases with 14 steals, third on the team behind Brown (26) and standout junior Karson Grout (20). 

Jackson Zahradnek was the last senior. Despite starting just one game, Zahradnek played an important role in the dugout and when his name was called, he answered. Especially against West Branch when Zahradnek pinch hit and cracked one to the outfield wall for a double that would’ve scored a run if not for poor baserunning without a slide into home plate. 

The team is still in good hands despite the exiting senior talent. Grout is a verbal commit to the University of Iowa and despite not taking the mound due to complications, he shut down hard hit ground balls to shortstop. On one occasion against West Liberty, Grout made a diving stop, throwing on his knees to Brown at first base for the out despite the runner’s speed. 

Grout’s bat stayed hot, leading the team with a .457 batting average. The team as a whole hit five home runs. Grout owns four of them. His 37 RBIs are also a team-leading stat. 

Other helpful mitts include rising junior Brady Weber who is the definition of a utility player. Weber could take the mound, owning a 5-0 record, the batter’s box, a .341 average (third place on the team) and countless defensive positions, also designated hitting. 

Rising senior Brock Harland made a rare distinction when he made the all-conference first team as a catcher and the all-district second team as a pitcher. His ability to command both sides of the plate will come in handy in the summer to follow. 

Rising senior Dylan Henry also played a role as a utility player, covering third base and the pitching mound. 

All of which coached by Kyle Mullet who won the River Valley Conference South coach of the year. 

All of the returning talent gives hope that Mid-Prairie can once again dominate the area teams before making another run at state. Only time will tell.