Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Michael Day focused on baseball after juggling multiple sports, contributes to sweep over Iowa City High

IOWA CITY – Michael Day can finally exhale after a frenzied but fun week.

Cedar Rapids Prairie’s infielder had been performing double-duty, closing the boys’ tennis season as prep baseball began. Last week, for instance, included a doubleheader sweep at Class 3A No. 1 Dubuque Wahlert and followed the state team tennis tournament the next morning.

“It was an extreme long week,” said Day, who helped the Hawks finished second at the state tennis meet and returned to play in a win over Davenport Assumption. “We came out on top at Wahlert. We had to drive to Des Moines later that night and got there pretty late. I had to wake up early to play (tennis).

“It’s a huge relief to be done with tennis. I enjoyed it but to be able to focus on baseball makes it easier and more fun.”

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Day has contributed the Prairie’s hot start and ascension to the No. 1 ranking in 4A, including a 7-1 and 8-1 sweep over No. 5 Iowa City High in a Mississippi Valley Conference doubleheader Monday night at Mercer Park. The Hawks have soared to a 15-0 record and are in control atop the MVC Valley.

“We knew this was going to be a battle,” Prairie Coach James Nelson said. “It always is with City High. You’ve got two state caliber teams. We told the guys this is what it feels like in a state game or substate final.

“These guys have done a phenomenal job of showing up with the same kind of energy and game plan, no matter who we play.”

Day has been a longtime baseball player. He picked up tennis a couple years ago and has developed a knack for it. Baseball remains his No. 1 passion.

“I still love tennis,” Day said. “It’s a fun sport and I love competing against people but it’s good to be back on the baseball field, playing the game I love.”

Day admitted it is a bigger thrill to hit a winner on the diamond than on the court. He had a few of them Monday.

Day tallied two hits and two RBIs in each game. He smacked a two-run double in the three-run third of Game 1, giving Prairie a comfortable 5-0 lead. Day added a two-run single inside the first-base line in the opening inning for the first two runs of Game 2.

“It was very important to get those runs in,” Day said. “It set the tone of the game, getting runs early. I was just trying to put the ball hard in play.”

Prairie was in control from start to finish. The Hawks started with two runs in the first inning, receiving an RBI single from Maddux Mueller. Day helped extend the lead and David Fason added an RBI single. Bennet Koch and Shraden Lechtenberg closed the Game 1 scoring with RBI singles in the fifth.

In the nightcap, Day’s single and Fason’s sacrifice fly put Prairie up 3-0. The Hawks added two in the fifth and three in the sixth, including an RBI single from Kamren Francois. Maddux Mueller scored three runs in Game 2.

Mueller also pitched six innings to earn the victory in the second game, allowing an unearned run on just four hits. Jordan Woodhouse was Prairie’s ace in the first game. He was even more effective, holding City High to just one run on two hits in six innings. Woodhouse finished with five strikeouts.

Nelson hinted that Prairie’s pitching staff might get overlooked by some.

“We have really good pitchers,” Nelson said. “We have guys who throw strikes and compete. I’d take our guys over any of them.”

Prairie demonstrated its balance in multiple phases of the game. The Hawks produced timely hits, put pressure on opponents with their speed and aggressive baserunning and played solid defense behind their guys on the mound.

“It’s been fun,” Nelson said. “A lot of good energy. It’s been a good group and they’ve been fun to coach.”

City High falls to 11-5 overall and 8-4 in the conference.

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