Miles Risley powers Kirkwood baseball on and off the field

CEDAR RAPIDS — Miles Risley’s production is just the tip of the iceberg visible in a box score.

Delve beneath the surface and you will see the massive effort and work that has solidified his game. Kirkwood’s starting center fielder and No. 3 hitter said even days off are meant for getting in swings, lifting weights to stay strong and keeping his body in good condition.

“I’ve really been trying to trust my coaches and training,” said Risley, who will continue his college career with the Iowa Hawkeyes next year. “It starts with practice and putting in the work then. You find the results on the field. I’m pretty excited and excited to keep on playing with my boys. Keep on winning.”

Risley entered Wednesday’s doubleheader against Southwestern Community College with a team-best .411 batting average and 30 hits. He also added his seventh home run of the season to close the Eagles’ 13-1 victory in five innings over the Spartans in the opener at home.

“He’s a guy you want in the middle of the order,” Kirkwood Coach Todd Rima said. “You want him up with guys on base.”

Risley arrived at Kirkwood from Johnston where he was a key part of the Dragons’ state finals teams, winning the Class 4A championship his senior season. Rima doesn’t bother with faint praise, so it is apparent he thinks highly of Risley.

“Miles is the heart and soul of our program, right now,” Rima said. “He does everything right. He’s on time. He’s our leader. Everybody respects him.

“He came in as the Iowa high school player of the year two years ago. He has done nothing but everything right for us. To see him having the success that he’s having is what you want to see for a kid like that.”

The compliment isn’t lost on Risley, who has clutched the leadership reins of a team at 20-4 after Wednesday’s Game 1.

“It means a lot,” Risley said. “Just being a leader for the guys and trying to lead them in a good direction for success. They can trust me with anything they tell me. Try to help them out through hard times.”

Risley had a solid freshman campaign, hitting .337 with seven home runs, driving in 55 and scoring 52. He said it took him some time to adjust, but he progressed along with the season. A strong finish continued into this year.

“I think last year was kind of up and down,” Risley said. “It started kind of rough and then got hot toward the end. I had all the confidence coming into this year, my second year of college ball,. It’s a lot different from high school. Just more experience. It’s been fun.”

Risley’s faith is also a catalyst to his results. He made a point to highlight its importance to him.

“A big part of my success this is trusting in my savior, Jesus Christ,” Risley said. “Just trusting in His plan for me.”

Risley covers a lot of ground and tracks down balls in center field. He is a strong base runner, stealing his 12th base of the season against the Spartans. He had 19 last season. He is a multi-tool player and takes pride in doing whatever the Eagles need.

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“I think it’s a big thing to do it all,” Risley said. “Anything to help the team win is what I’m trying to do. It doesn’t matter what it has to be. I just want to win.”

Risley provided the final shot in Kirkwood’s big win against Southwestern. The Eagles gave up the first run in the second, but answered with a four-run bottom half, including an RBI double from Cal Sullivan, who scored on an Owen Ross inside-the-park home run that was lost in the sun by the left fielder and a solo home run from Alex Ritzer.

The Eagles posted an eight-run fifth once they reached the Spartans’ bullpen. They drew six walks separated by a grand slam by Bronx Lewis and then Risley’s three-run shot to right center to end it.

“It was just a curveball up,” Risley said. “He threw a curveball the first pitch and I thought he would go back to it. He left it middle and the wind is howling out to right, so I just took it that way.”

Risley said he is excited to move on to Iowa. He embraces the opportunity to join a Big Ten Conference program and play against the best in the country. Rima said Risley is going to a perfect place.

“You just know what you’re getting,” Rima said. “Every day he’s going to show up. He’s going to give you great effort.

“The Hawkeyes are going to get a good one. He’ll fit right in with what they do.”

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