Substate baseball roundup: Defending 4A champion Prairie heading back to state

Cedar Rapids Prairie earned a trip to the state tournament to defend last year's title with a 7-4 victory Wednesday night at Southeast Polk.

The fifth-ranked Hawks coasted through the first six innings thanks to a strong outing from pitcher Casey Day, who allowed only five hits over 6 1/3 innings. TJ Johnson led Prairie's offense with three hits, two runs and a stolen base. Harrison Cook and Griff Clark provided two RBIs each.

No. 7 Southeast Polk never threatened until a three-run double in the bottom of the seventh.

Prairie's journey toward another state title begins on Wednesday against Waukee at 11 a.m.

3A: OSKALOOSA 2, VINTON-SHELLSBURG 1

Oskaloosa scored twice in the top of the seventh inning for a 2-1 Class 3A substate baseball win over No. 3 Vinton-Shellsburg Wednesday night in Vinton.

Vinton-Shellsburg, the Wamac Conference West Division champion, lost at home for the first time this season. The Vikings finished with a 35-6 record.

Oskaloosa (28-13) is going to the state tournament for the second time, and first since 1998.