Nerves hamper Prairie in 5A quarters

FORT DODGE - Cedar Rapids Prairie coach Joe Yegge was disappointed in only one thing about his team's performance Tuesday.“We were still nervous in the fifth inning,” Yegge said. “Now, granted it's their first state tournament, and I was expecting maybe the deer-in-the-headlights look (early on).”Prairie (28-15) lost to defending state-champ Ankeny, 8-1 in a Class 5A quarterfinal at the state softball tournament after digging itself into an early hole.Offensively, Yegge was pleased with his team's performance against Ankeny pitcher Courtney Clayberg (20-7).“It showed that we can hit with anybody,” Yegge said. “The scoreboard doesn't show it, but we only had one strikeout. We had great quality at-bats, and we'll build off that.”Prairie had six hits against Clayberg.Ankeny (33-10) got up early, leading 4-0 after freshman catcher Kendyl Lindaman crushed a two-run homer to center field in the second inning. It was Lindaman's 24th home run to tie the state season record set in 1999.Prairie had a chance to get something going with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth. The chance to tack on a few runs was squashed, however, when Malia Gudenkauf hit a pop fly to right field and Amanda Pipolo was caught off second base for the double play.Yegge said such mistakes are part of the learning experience, especially at the state tournament level.“A young player makes a bad mistake and it is what it is,” Yegge said. “I know she's fast, she knows she's fast and she was trying to make something happen. I'm just (glad) it didn't deflate us. We at least came back and went down with some guts and pride. So that was good to see.”Prairie shortstop Mallory Jones, who produced the team's only run with a single to left field, said after being at the tournament she and her teammates are ready to return.“We're ready to make this a tradition in our program and ready to be back next year,” Jones said.Prairie will take on Dubuque Senior in the consolation bracket Wednesday at noon.