Cedar Rapids Prairie sets out to defend state baseball title after strong finish to regular season

New team. Same dream.

Cedar Rapids Prairie has a few new starters, but aspires to match its 2016 finish. The mantra was introduced early in the season.

'Lots of new guys in the lineup,” Prairie Coach Todd Rima said, 'but the goals at Prairie haven't changed.”

The fifth-ranked Hawks will take the first step in their attempt to defend their state baseball championship with the first round of Class 4A substate competition Friday night. Prairie hosts Cedar Rapids Kennedy at 7.

'It's a whole different team from last year,” Prairie senior Joe Meyer said. 'The big thing we want to focus on is staying consistent. We want to control what we can control.”

The Hawks (26-12) have had an up-and-down season, but enter the postseason with 12 victories in their last 14 games. Prairie had an eight-game win streak during that stretch.

Cleaner play has led to better play. Pitchers have thrown more strikes and the defense has limited errors.

'The big thing for us is we need guys to show up on each gameday bringing their best stuff,” Meyer said. 'The way we've been practicing and playing recently, I think if we take away all the free bases that we can be one of the best teams in the state.”

With a deep and balanced roster, Rima had his work cut out to determine his best personnel. Rima said every player wants to play every inning, which he likes, but they have adopted a true team-first attitude.

'They have taken their role and tried to be the best at it,” Rima said. 'Right now, that's what they're doing.”

Meyer said the coaches have done a good job identifying players' strengths. Meyer and senior Matt Lorenz have been more offensive boosts, while Collin Smith and Blake Wheeler have solidified the defense.

'Rima does a great job of working everybody in,” Meyer said. 'He uses the re-entry rule perfectly. He will find ways to use everybody so we can play to our best ability.”

Prairie has a familiar foe. The Hawks have swept Kennedy this season, beating the Cougars in the season opener and in a home-and-home series. The earlier results don't matter now and Kennedy is much better than its 15-21-1 record.

'We both know each other very well,” Rima said. 'I don't know if there is another team in the state with a tougher first-round draw than we do.”

Third-ranked Iowa City West (29-8) and No. 4 Iowa City High (28-12) will also host substate openers. The Trojans, who have reached the last three state finals, host Davenport North (11-27). The Little Hawks face Waterloo East (3-35) at Mercer Park.

Wamac champion Western Dubuque owns home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Bobcats (32-6-1) open with Davenport Central (13-18).

Cedar Rapids Washington will have a home game to begin the postseason. The Warriors (22-15) play Dubuque Hempstead (17-20).

Cedar Rapids Jefferson (22-16) will compete at Bettendorf (20-15) to start substate action. Linn-Mar (18-18) heads to Clinton (18-12) for a first-round game.

Class 3A will start with district semifinals on Friday. Marion will host district play. Cedar Rapids Xavier (17-20) will play Center Point-Urbana (16-20) in the first game at Marion, starting at 5 p.m. The host Indians (28-10) have Maquoketa (4-32) in the nightcap set for 7.

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