Prairie Softball

New look for Prairie softball in 2012

Prairie softball is going to look a little different this year. Gone are six key seniors from last year’s team. The departure leaves many spots to be fielded and some leadership to be found.

Last year’s seniors combined to start 194 games and were instrumental in keeping the Hawks close in their regional quarterfinal loss to Xavier last year.

The 2012 season could be a mystery for the first couple of weeks as it will be hard to determine what the new look Hawks are capable of.

“This coming week could tell us a lot about how the season goes for us, but so far I have been very pleased with the last two weeks of practice and the energy the girls have been bringing every day,” Coach Kimi Hynek said. “As of this week I see us finishing in the middle of the conference, but certainly feel like we could finish higher with continued hard work throughout the season.”

Key Losses:

Prairie graduated six players that combined for 62 percent of the Hawks' hits, 62 percent of their runs and 58 percent of their RBIs.

“The loss of last year’s seniors was quite significant, especially on the offensive side,” Hynek said. “We have some younger players who are showing that they can be big contributors for us defensively, but what was lost in last year’s seniors offensively is going to be tough for us.”

That is some big production to replace and none bigger than last season’s two top hitters, Shelby Crist (.393) and Katie Wieland (.365).

In the circle the Hawks will need to replace Mackenzie Blaha (1-0, 1.17 ERA). Blaha's pitching was limited by injury, but her leadership and big game pitching will be hard to replace.

Key Returning Players:

With so much offense departing the Hawks will look to returning senior Taylor Stecklein (.319, 38 hits, 17 runs, 13 RBIs) to lead the offense.

Stecklein will need help from juniors Aly O’Brian (.267), Brittney Lash (.225) and Katie Kuch (.217) if the offense is to put up enough runs to win games. O’Brian is the best of that group but all three will need to produce more.

“I would say all four of these players need to lead our team, especially on offense,” Hynek said.

Freshman Gabi Carter could be huge both offensive and in the circle for the Hawks. Carter had 10 hits, 8 RBIs and two home runs in just 19 games last season. Carter got just three starts pitching but had the best ERA outside of Blaha at 2.78.

With Carter’s youth in the circle, Kuch (6-9, 4.11) will need to step up big for the pitching staff. Her 14 starts are the most by any returning pitcher.

Outlook:

Prairie has almost a whole new team, so its 13-24 record from last year means very little going forward.

The key to a successful season is going to be how well the returnees play and if they can step up.

The wild card could be the pitching and production from Carter, a potential star. Hawk fans watch her early as she could provide a big spark.

“Gabi Carter is a very promising player,” Hynek said. “She is very strong both defensively and offensively and will bring a lot to our team this season.”

Erbe gets 300th, Saints advance in regionals

The Xavier softball team's 9-6 win over Prairie Saturday night was a milestone for its coach, but more importantly, a step forward for the Saints.

Xavier Coach Brian Erbe got his 300th career win in the regional quarterfinal game. Erbe is 300-131 in nine seasons at the Xavier helm. The win moved the Saints into the semifinal round of their region.

“It is much more special to advance (in the region),” Erbe said. “I remember the first one, and some good ones in between. The win is no more special than any other.”

The Saints (29-12) travel to Iowa City West  to take on the Women of Troy (31-9) Monday night.

“They are a good team, I am looking forward to playing them,” senior Tyler Sampson said of West. “It should be a good competitive game; it will be fun to play.”

“They are extremely talented,” Erbe said of the Women of Troy. “We will have to play our best softball of the season.”

The Saints came in looking like a clear favorite against Prairie after sweeping the Hawks on Tuesday, 10-0 and 12-0, in Mississippi Valley Conference play. However, this was regional play and with the season on the line the Hawks showed up to battle.

“I knew that tonight would be much different then Tuesday,” Erbe said. “Tuesday was just conference games. Everything was on the line tonight. I feel very fortunate to get the win.”

Although the game was hosted by Xavier the Saints lost the flip and were the visitors.

The Saints struck right away in the first inning. Three walks and an error gave them a 1-0 lead and left the bases loaded for freshman Emily Walton, who delivered a two RBI double to put Xavier on top 3-0 against the Hawks and senior starter Mackenzie Blaha.

“Without a doubt I thought she (Blaha, who hasn’t pitched much this season due to injury) gave us the best chance to win,” Prairie Coach Kimi Hynek said. “She brings a lot to the team and she threw well as long as she could.”

Prairie came back in the bottom of the second when Blaha doubled and sophomore Alyson O’Brian singled to set the stage for senior Katie Carver’s three-run home run that tied the game at 3-3 after two innings.

“It was a 3-2 count, so I knew a good pitch was coming,” Carver said. “I got it on the sweet spot.”

Xavier reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning on a squeeze bunt laid down by senior Kristen Winter to score fellow senior Abby Bedard, who walked to start the frame. Walton scored Sampson with a sacrifice fly that gave the Saints a 5-3 lead.

After three walks in the fifth, the Saints tacked on two more when Sampson doubled. That hit ended the night for Blaha and scored the Saints' sixth and seventh runs, which turned out to be enough for the Saints and their sophomore starter Jacey Wiebold, who gave up all six Hawk runs.

“Blaha threw very well. I got thrown inside and she had a good change up and rise ball.” Sampson said. “I stepped off the plate a little to get around on them (inside pitch). It worked out.”

“Jacey was not sharp tonight, she knows it. I give her credit for toughing it out,” Erbe who had eighth grader Erin Drahozal warming up. “I never gave serious thought to making a change. I knew Jacey would step up.”

Sophomore Katie Kuch replaced Blaha in the circle and gave up two more in the sixth. Kuch added some much needed offense for the Hawks in the fifth and sixth. She homered in the fifth and had a two RBI single in the sixth.

Prairie continued to fight. The Hawks got the tying run to the plate in the seventh inning with runners on second and third. Wiebold got Sam Frederick to ground out to end the game and keep Carver from coming to the plate as the possible go-ahead run.

“I was hoping I could get up again, I would love to have had that chance,” Carver said. “It just didn’t end our way.”

The Hawks end their season 13-25 and lose a strong class of seniors.

“We enjoyed have them for the whole time they were with us,” Hynek said. “It will be very tough to replace them girls will have big shoes to fill (next year).”

XAVIER (9)
Abby Bedard, 3B, 2 3 0 0, Courtney Colston, RF, 4 1 0 0, Tyler Sampson, SS, 4 2 3 2, Kristen Winter, 2B, 3 0 1 1, Audrey Richards, pr, 0 0 0 0, Emily Walton, DP, 4 0 1 3, Jenna Schulte, 1B, 4 1 1 0, Kelsey Kuba-Tresnak, CF, 4 1 0 0, Erica Miller, C, 3 0 1 0, Allison Schwach, cr, 0 1 0 0, Sydney Galligan, LF, 4 0 1 0, Jacey Wiebold, P, 0 0 0 0. Totals 30 9 8 6.

PRAIRIE (6)
Shelby Crist, C, 4 0 0 0, Taylor Stecklein, 2B, 4 0 0 0, Kaitlyn Wieland, SS, 4 0 1 0, Mackenzine Blaha, P, 3 0 1 0, Remy Mumaw, cr, 0 1 0 0, Alyson O’Brian, DP, 4 1 3 0, Samantha Frederick, 1B, 3 0 0 0, Katie Carver, CF, 2 2 1 3, Brittney Lash, RF, 2 1 1 0, Chloe Lueck, LF, 1 0 0 0, Katie Kuch, P, 2 1 2 3, Amanda Stecklein, 3B, 0 0 0 0. Totals 29 6 9 6.

Xavier  300 222 0 -  9 8 1
Prairie  030 012 0 -  6 9 4

Wiebold and Miller. Blaha, Kuch (5) and Crist. W – Wiebold. L – Blaha. 2B – Sampson, Walton, Blaha. HR – Carver, Kuch.

Sampson sets HR record as Saints sweep Prairie

Tyler Sampson put on a show for the Xavier High School softball team Tuesday night.

Sampson went 5-for-5, hit two home runs and drove in seven runs as the Saints swept Cedar Rapids Prairie in two shortened games at Bob Erusha Field.

Xavier won the first game, 10-0, in six innings and took the nightcap, 12-0, in three innings.

Sampson has slugged 15 home runs this season, breaking the school record of 13 homers set last year by McKenna Miller. Sampson, a senior shortstop, has driven in 56 runs in 38 games.

Jacey Wiebold pitched a three-hit shutout for Xavier in the first game. Erin Drahozal tossed a two-hit shutout in the second game.

Sampson was 4-for-4 in the first game and scored three runs. Sydney Galligan went 3-for-3 and Abby Bedard was 2-for-4.

The Saints scored 10 runs in the first inning of the second game and got a grand slam from Sampson. Emily Walton went 2-for-3 for Xavier.

The Saints raised their records to 28-10 overall and 18-6 in the Mississippi Valley Conference. Prairie fell to 11-24 overall and 5-19.

Game 1

PRAIRIE (0)
Crist, c, 3 0 0 0, T. Stecklein, 2b, 3 0 1 0, Weiland, ss, 2 0 0 0, Blaha, lf, 1 0 0 0, Carver, cf, 1 0 0 0, Frederick, 1b, 2 0 1 0, Lash, rf, 2 0 0 0, Kuch, p, 2 0 1 0, Carter, p, 0 0 0 0, A. Stecklein, 3b, 2 0 0 0. Totals 18 0 3 0.

XAVIER (10)
Bedard, 3b, 4 2 2 0, Colston, rf, 3 1 1 0, Sampson, ss, 4 3 4 3, Winter, 2b, 3 1 0 1, Walton, dp, 4 0 1 1, Schulte, 1b, 2 2 0 0, Kuba-Tresnak, cf, 3 0 0 0, Miller, c, 3 0 1 0, Galligan, lf, 3 1 3 0, Wiebold, p, 0 0 0 0. Totals 29 10 12 5.

Prairie      000 000 -   0   3 4
Xavier      400 024 - 10 12 0

Kuch, Carter (6) and Crist. Wiebold and Miller. W - Wiebold. L - Kuch. HR - Sampson.

Game 2

PRAIRIE (0)
Crist, c, 1 0 0 0, T. Stecklein, 2b, 2 0 0 0, Weiland, ss, 2 0 1 0, Blaha, lf, 2 0 0 0, O'Brian, 1b, 1 0 0 0, Carver, cf, 1 0 1 0, Frederick, rf, 1 0 0 0, Stevenson, p, 1 0 0 0, A. Stecklein, 3b, 1 0 0 0. Totals 12 0 2 0.

XAVIER (12)
Bedard, 3b, 2 2 0 0, Colston, rf, 2 3 1 0, Sampson, ss, 1 2 1 4, Winter, 2b, 0 0 0 2, Walton, c, 3 1 2 3, Schulte, 1b, 2 1 0 0, Kuba-Tresnak, cf, 1 1 1 0, Drahozal, p, 2 1 1 1, Ireland, lf, 2 1 0 0. Totals 15 12 6.

Prairie       000 -   0 2 3
Xavier    (10)02 - 12 6 0

Stevenson and Crist. Drahozal and Walton. W - Drahozal. L - Stevenson. HR - Sampson.

Nine-run inning sparks Linn-Mar sweep

Linn-Mar scored nine runs in the sixth innings of Thursday's opener to erase a 5-1 deficit and roared past Prairie, 11-5, in a Mississippi Valley Conference softball doubleheader.

The Lions took the nightcap, 5-2.

Prairie (11-21, 5-17) put three runs on the board in the first inning of the opener, highlighted by an RBI double by Mackenzie Blaha and a run-scoring single by Aly O’Brian.  O’Brian added an RBI single in the third that gave the Hawks a 5-0 lead.

And then Linn-Mar (14-22, 7-15) blew up Prairie starter Katie Kuck. The Lions finished with 15 hits. Kortlan Olinger was 3-of-5 with an RBI and three runs scored. Alexis Kelsey also had three hits.

“I knew we could come back,” said Kelsey, an eighth grader who also was the winning pitcher. “We’ve done that before.”

“We came determined tonight and we all stepped it up and played well," Olinger said.

O’Brian, a sophomore, was 4-for-4 and Katie Carver and Blaha each had a pair of hits for Prairie.

“It really felt good at the plate tonight, but I am just trying to get on and score for the team,” said O’Brian.  "I kind of knew I had a lot of hits, but I just concentrated on each pitch.”

Linn-Mar had another eighth grader in the circle in the nightcap and Lauren Swanson scattered seven hits through the first six innings. She had a shutout heading into the seventh, but Prairie collected three hits and scored twice.

Ellie Rizor, Maggie Rizor, Leandra Martins, Olinger and Kelsey all had two hits for the Linn-Mar. Olinger drove in a pair of runs.

Taylor Stecklein led the Prairie attack with three hits and Katie Wieland and O’Brian each had two hits.  O’Brian had six hits in the twinbill.

GAME ONE

LINN-MAR (11)
L. Harms, ss, 5 0 1 1, Duggan, 2b, 4 2 2 0, E. Rizor, c, 5 1 2 1, Kelsey, p, 5 2 3 1, Olinger, lf, 5 3 3 1, Martins, cf, 3 1 0 0, M. Rizor, 1b, 4 1 1 2, Swanson, 3b, 2 0 0 0, J. Harms, ph, 1 1 1 1, Yearling, rf, 4 0 2 0. Totals 40 11 15 3

PRAIRIE (5)
Crist, c, 3 1 1 0, T. Stecklein, 2b, 4 1 0 0, Wieland, ss, 4 0 1 1, Blaha, lf, 4 2 2 1, Carver, cf, 4 1 2 0, O’Brian, 1b, 4 0 4 2, Lash, 3b, 4 0 0 0, Kuch, p, 1 0 0 0, Mumaw, cr, 0 0 0 0, Lueck, p, 1 0 0 0, A. Stecklein, 3b, 3 0 0 0.  Totals 32 5 10 6.

Linn-Mar       000 109 1 -- 11  15
Prairie          302 000 0 --  5   10

Kelsey and E. Rizor.  Kuch, Lueck (6) and Crist.  W – Kelsey  L – Kuch. 2B - Kelsey, Blaha (2), Carver.  SB - E. Rizor, Crist, T. Stecklein, Carver, O’Brian


GAME TWO

LINN-MAR (5)
L. Harms, ss, 3 0 0 0, Duggan, 2b, 4 1 1 0, E. Rizor, c, 4 2 2 0, Kelsey, p, 4 1 2 1, Olinger, lf, 4 1 2 2, Martins, cf, 4 0 2 0, M. Rizor, 1b, 4 0 2 1, Harbert, pr, 0 0 0 0, Swanson, 3b, 4 0 0 0, Yearling, rf, 2 0 0 0. Totals 33 5 11 1

PRAIRIE (2)
Crist, c, 4 1 1 0, T. Stecklein, 2b, 4 0 3 0, Wieland, ss, 3 0 2 2, Blaha, lf, 4 0 0 0, Carver, cf, 3 0 0 0, O’Brian, dh, 3 0 2 0, A. Stecklein, 3b, 0 0 0 0 Frederick, 1b, 2 0 1 0, Lash, rf, 3 0 0 0, Baetsle, p, 3 1 0 0, Mumaw, cr, 0 1 0 0.  Totals 29 2 10 2.

Linn-Mar      011 020 1 -- 5  11
Prairie         000 000 2 -- 2  10

Swanson and Yearling.  Baetsle and Crist.  W – Swanson.  L- Baetsle.  2B - E. Rizor, Olinger, Wieland, O’Brian.