Boede Rahe has overcome adversity to become Kirkwood baseball’s ace

CEDAR RAPIDS – About a year and a half ago, Boede Rahe entered Kirkwood Coach Todd Rima’s office.

He was frustrated because of lingering issues that followed Tommy John surgery as a senior at Marion High School and sitting out his first year with the Eagles to recover.

Rahe couldn’t shake all the little physical things that bothered him, but Rima encouraged him to stick with it.

“I had no clue if I could come back and pitch again,” Rahe said. “Without Rima, I probably wouldn’t still be pitching.”

Fast forward to this season, a healthy Rahe has emerged as the Eagles top starter who is committed to the University of Kansas. The redshirt sophomore pitched a complete game in Kirkwood’s 13-3 victory in six innings Friday in the opener of a doubleheader against Northeast (Neb.) Community College at John Lewis Field. Northeast won Game 2, 14-5.

Rahe recorded his fourth complete game, allowing three earned runs on five hits, striking out six and walking only one.

“I felt like I didn't have my best stuff out there, but I found a way to get it done,” Rahe said. “We worked through it and we got it done.

It helps a lot when you have a team putting up 16 hits behind you.”

Rima recalled the emotional fall meeting. Rahe struggled with injuries but found a way to persevere.

“All of a sudden he just kept working, stuck with it and now look where he's at,” Rima said. “He's healthy. He's throwing great. He's our leader on the mound and he's having just tremendous success.

“The year he's put together for us is as good as anybody we've had. When he's on the mound, we feel like we're going to win.”

The Eagles (30-15) have won a lot with Rahe on the mound. He improved to 6-1 in 10 appearances and nine starts. The 6-6 has stifled opponents, striking out 74 in 50 innings pitched this season.

“He's been consistent for us and I think it started in the offseason for him,” Rima said. “Boede committed to getting in the best shape of his life and he's in that right now. It’s paying off.

“He's gotten better. His velocity's gone up, breaking stuff is better and command has gotten sharper. There's a reason he's going to Kansas.”

Rahe has the mental skills to elevate his game. He exhibited that when Rima approached him with an inning left Friday. He is relentless and is driven to go as deep as possible.

“He wants the ball,” Rahe said. “When he came off after the fifth, (I asked him) can you get us three more outs. He's like, I will get us three more outs. That's just his mindset. The pitchers follow that lead.”

Rahe took advantage of working out with Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller and the Chicago Cubs’ Colin Rea, who played at Cedar Rapids Xavier and Cascade, respectively. Rahe’s teammate Trevor Scott caught both in offseason workouts and helped connect Rahe with them.

Rahe was able to pick up on some of their pitching cues.

“Working with them helped me grow a lot,” Rahe said. “They're amazing pitchers and obviously they made it to the league. Just little things that run in their head that help them maintain confidence on the mound. I’ve tried to take a little piece of that and work with this season.”

Rahe has a strong mix of fastball, curveball and changeup. He has pounded the strike zone this season, showing more command with all three offerings. Rahe’s velocity has hit about 95 on his better days.

“When I'm at my best, I feel like everything's just clicking and I don't even need to think out there,” Rahe said. “I just throw it.”

Rahe’s journey will continue at Kansas. He said he is excited for the chance and praised Rima for preparing him, which started in that offseason meeting a little less than two years ago.

“I know it could be gone in an instant,” Rahe said. “I just try to take advantage of every day I’m playing.”

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