Velvick's big game lifts Prairie to win over Marion in Metro tourney opener

MARION - He had an unbottoned uniform top postgame, showing a cross dangling from a long necklace he was wearing.

“Every day, every game,” Jason Velvick said.

The Cedar Rapids Prairie senior outfielder scored three runs and had three hits, including a three-run home run, to help his team to an 8-2 win last night over Marion in the first round of the Bob Vrbicek Metro Baseball Tournament. A great start to a season of redemption, if you will.

Prairie's leading hitter as a sophomore, Velvick missed most of last season after a car in which he was a passenger rolled into a ditch, injuring him and killing a friend. Drake Whitters was drunk that early June morning when his car veered off Walford Road SW.

“It has changed me quite a bit,” Velvick said. “I've matured a lot from it. It was kind of a crappy situation to have to go through. But you've got to make some bad mistakes, I guess, to learn how to make good (decisions).”

Velvick actually returned to play a minimal role at the end of last season but is major in Prairie's plans this season as its center fielder and leadoff hitter. The Hawks scored three times in the first inning and five times in their final two at-bats to beat a Marion team that advanced to the Class 3A state tournament semifinals in 2011.

“You talk about a leadoff hitter that's got power and speed and hits for average,” said Prairie Coach Matt Thede. “When we turn that lineup over, we've got a ton of confidence in him at the plate. I think he's excited to play baseball again. I think he's excited to be a part of the team and part of things, getting back in there and contributing because he missed so much last year.

"As far as personal experience, with what happened last year, I'll have him talk more about that. I know he's figured some things out in life a little bit.”

Prairie will face Cedar Rapids Xavier in a Metro tourney semifinal this afternoon at 5 at Marion, minus all-state second baseman Brayton Carlson, who has to sit for a game after being ejected for batting his bat to the ground following a sixth-inning strikeout. Xavier blasted Mount Vernon in an earlier first-rounder, 11-1, in five innings.

Senior Mac Mattke threw a two-hitter for the Saints. Corbin Woods had two hits, including a three-run homer that ended the game via mercy rule.

A junior shortstop, Woods said his college baseball choices are down to Iowa and Heartland Community College in Illinois.

“We didn't really know who would be where, for sure,” Woods said of an almost entirely new lineup. “But I think everyone did fine where they were at. And Mac pitched a great game.”

AT MARION

Cedar Rapids Xavier 300 26 – 11 11 3

Mount Vernon 001 00 – 1 2 2

Mac Mattke and Ben Helms. Conner Younggreen, Luke Eldred (5) and Conner Welch. WP-Mattke (1-0). LP-Younggreen (0-1). Highlights: Corbin Woods had a walk, double and three-run home run for Xavier. Mattke threw a complete game.

AT MARION

Marion 001 000 1 – 2 8 2

Cedar Rapids Prairie 300 023 x – 8 11 0

Tyler Hedkte, Levi Lochner (6) and Addison Johnson. Bryce Alberts, Spencer Dean (7) and Dylan Pond. WP-Alberts (1-0). LP-Hedtke (0-1).

Highlights: Jason Velvick went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and a three-run home run for Prairie. No. 9 hitter Ty Mougin had two doubles, a walk and two runs scored. Mitch Wagner went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs for Marion.