Beckman has experience to lead Prairie

CEDAR RAPIDS - Prairie senior Trey Beckman pitched No. 5 Prairie close out an 8-4 win in the nightcap of an Mississippi Valley Conference doubleheader last night against Iowa City High.

Beckman's experience with Perfect Game and the Schaumburg Seminoles has proved pertinent to Prairie's success. He first participated in Perfect Game back in 2012 on the Iowa Spring Wood Bat League. Over three years, he's earned an All-American honorable mention and participated in the 2015 National Pre-Draft showcase.

'Freshman and sophomore year, I was trying to commit to a big college,” Beckman said. 'After I committed, it was to get a high rank. You get to play a lot of different competition and some of the best in the country. Perfect Game has been a big help.”

He was selected as a 2015 spring top prospect and participated in the 2015 National Pre-Draft Showcase.

Beckman played last summer with the Schaumburg (Ill.) Seminoles. It allowed him to get more playing time and work on personal skills since games were slightly less competitive than high school.

'You're timing could get off,” Beckman said. 'You would go from hitting 90 mph pitches to 75. But the reps helped.”

These experiences have allowed Beckman to be a leading figure for the Hawks. He's hoping for the best possible end to his last season. He committed last October to play baseball at Wabasha Valley College in Illinois. He originally committed to the University of Nebraska, but things changed when they recruited too many outfielders, Beckman's primary position.

'I needed the college experience,” Beckman said. 'A part of baseball is taking care of yourself. I need however many years in college to learn to do that.”

City High won Game 1, 12-2. Their pitcher, Bryce Frantz, had seven strikeouts and allowed six hits. Nick Sueppel hit 2-for-2 with three RBIs.

Prairie's pitcher Drew Yanecek allowed four hits but had eight strikeouts in five-plus innings. Jalen Rima had a single and scored a run. Beckman had an RBI.

In Game 2, Prairie's pitcher Brody Alberts had three strikeouts and allowed four hits in five innings. Beckman pitched the last two innings, giving up only one hit, while striking out two.

Corbin Day was 3-for-3 with two runs for Prairie (25-5). Rima had a hit with an RBI and a run.

For the Little Hawks (18-13), Brett McCleary pitched five innings with two strikeouts and 11 hits.

Brady Cotton pitched the last inning. Sueppel was 2-3 with an RBI.

l Comments: katherine.bauer@thegazettecompany.com