Prairie freshman Piper Johnson provides spark, inspiration

CEDAR RAPIDS — Piper Johnson wants to not only work hard for herself, but for her team.

“I always want to do what’s best for my team and the coaches,” said Johnson, a freshman shortstop on the Cedar Rapids Prairie softball team. “Prairie softball is a family of past present and future, and I want to do my best for my Prairie softball family.”

Despite Prairie’s losing record — the Hawks were 14-17 overall, 7-8 in the Mississippi Valley Conference Mississippi Division going into Wednesday’s game against Linn-Mar — there’s talent on the team.

Johnson is proof of that.

The sophomore-to-be is among stat leaders in the MVC in hitting and pitching.

“I started playing softball when I was 4 or 5,” Johnson said. “My mom started that spark (in me), especially when I was a little girl.”

Ever since, she has taken off.

Johnson has a list of accomplishments this season, including ranking in a tie for fifth in batting average in the MVC Valley at .432.

“I put in lots of time outside of practice, working in the cages and fundamentals that I can control,” Johnson said.

She was able to improve her batting average from .311 last season because of the role models she has had in the past.

“I had great role models last year coming from the senior class,” Johnson said.

She also has the most hits in the MVC with 51.

“It really shows the hard work I put in in the offseason,” Johnson said. “The countless hours spent with (strength coach Courtney Koch) in the weight room, getting stronger and faster.”

Johnson also is a solid pitcher with a 2-0 record and a Valley-best three saves.

She’s able to do this through “breathing, having trust in her teammates, and positive self talk.”

“The mental game is a big part of softball, and I just continue to trust my defense behind me,” Johnson said.

Despite her age, she’s also a huge role model for her team.

“Piper is someone who you can always count on to have a good attitude in the dugout and on the field,” said Prairie sophomore pitcher Johanna Caspers. “She is super encouraging, positive, and vocal.”

“Piper is very athletic and hardworking,” sophomore first baseman Riley Goddard said. “She always brings her best effort and she brings the most positive attitude towards the team.”

With Johnson and a young core of players, including five eighth-graders, Prairie softball has a bright future.

“We have so many younger girls with so much talent,” Johnson said.

Johnson also has high hopes for next season and believes in her team.

“My hopes for next year are to make it to the state tournament and keep growing as a team,” Johnson said. “In the next year and couple of years, we will have a very good team.”