Prairie scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning Friday night to grab a 7-3 lead, only to learn it wasn’t quite enough to put the game away.

Iowa City West used five walks and three hits in the top of the seventh to grab an 8-7 advantage and that's how the Mississippi Valley Conference baseball game ended at Prairie.

Tyus Adkins, in relief of Sam Scott, made it stand up in the bottom of the seventh and the Trojans (20-7, 12-4) came away with the win. Nick Grimsman had a key two-run double to give West the lead.

Mitch Adams started for the Hawks and went five innings, giving up three runs on four hits.

“I get one shot a week on the mound and I give it everything I have,” said Adams. “My pitches were working tonight; it just didn’t pan out for us tonight.”

Adams gave way to Spencer Dean in the sixth and then eventually to Connor Steffens, who finished off the top of the seventh. Dean took the loss in relief.

Tyler Votroubek collected two hits and Brayton Carlson had a two-run triple for Prairie (13-13, 8-8).

“I’ve been hitting better lately,” said Votroubek. “I have been making good contact because I am sitting back on the ball, seeing it better, and taking it the other way.”

The Hawks came within a few outs of claiming a victory.

“We played great ball for six and a half innings,” said Prairie Coach Matt Thede. “We can’t drop our heads, we have to go out and play again tomorrow.”

Prairie plays in the Marion High School tournament on Saturday.

IOWA CITY WEST (8)
Reiners, cf, 4 0 1 1, Wilson, rf, 4 1 2 1, Bonner, 2b, 4 1 1 0, Doyle, 1b, 2 0 0 0, Schmitt, pr, 0 1 0 0, Raffensperger, 3b, 3 0 0 0, Crimmons, ss, 4 1 1 1, Baker, c, 3 1 1 1, Verry, dh, 1 2 1 0, Scott, p, 0 0 0 0, Adkins, p, 0 0 0 0, Grimsman, lf, 3 1 1 2. Totals 28 8 8 6.

PRAIRIE (7)
Velvick, cf, 3 1 0 0, Mougin, ss, 3 1 0 0, Carlson, 2b, 4 1 1 2, Butz, 3b, 4 0 1 1, Votroubek, 1b, 4 1 2 1, Beckman, lf, 4 0 1 0, Alberts, dh, 3 1 1 1, Adams, p, 0 0 0 0, Dean, p, 0 0 0 0, Steffens, p, 0 0 0 0, Pond, c, 3 0 0 0, Peters, cr, 0 1 0 0, Davison, rf, 3 1 0 0. Totals 31 7 6 5.


Iowa City West    002 010 5 - 8 8 6
Prairie                 004 003 0 - 7 6 1

Scott, Adkins (6) and Baker; Adams, Dean (6), Steffens (7) and Pond. W - Adkins. L - Dean. 2B – Grimsman, Votroubek. 3B - Carlson. SB – Reiners, Verry, Velvick.