Prairie gets offensive in sweep of Xavier

CEDAR RAPIDS - Cedar Rapids Prairie Coach Todd Rima has witnessed a transformation.

The Hawks have grown from a team that wanted to win into one that believes it can win each time it steps on the baseball field.

Some of the confidence stems from a potent offense that has battered opponents so far this season. Prairie belted 26 hits, sweeping Cedar Rapids Xavier, 10-3 and 10-5, in a Mississippi Valley Conference baseball doubleheader last night at Ken Charipar Field. The Hawks (8-1, 4-0 MVC Mississippi) are perched atop their division.

'The guys have come in with a plan, but what I like is they work really hard at it,” Rima said. 'They deserve the success that they have because of the effort they have put forth.”

The Hawks have scored 75 runs this season, averaging more than eight runs per game. They have topped double digits in five of their first nine games. Rima, in his first year as head coach, recognized the potential at the plate.

'I thought we would have the chance to score,” he said. 'I love our athleticism. What they can do one the bases and playing small ball makes it a lot of fun.”

Prairie has executed in crucial moments. The emphasize sprinting everywhere, transferring to their approach on the bases. It can wreak havoc on opponents.

'We want to set the tone,” Prairie junior Cal Clark said. 'We want to hustle and put pressure on the other team by running the bases hard.”

The Hawks have the ability to score runs in bunches. They broke open a tight game in the opener with a five-run sixth, sending 10 batters to the plate. Prairie also took its first lead of the night, tallying three in the fourth.

A five-run second powered Prairie in the nightcap, which received RBI singles from Ethan Copeland, Corbin and Clark. The Hawks added three more in the sixth and a pair in the seventh.

They tend to feed off one another once someone sets the table.

'Everyday in batting practice we hit in different situations,” said Clark, who had four hits, two RBIs and scored three times in the opener. 'It's starting to pay off. We've been scoring a lot of runs lately.”

The Hawks pitching contributed to the win in the nightcap, stranding runners in scoring position second, third and fifth innings. If pitching remains consistent, the Hawks will be a tough out for any opponent.

'I thought it was a great team win,” Rima said. 'I thought our pitchers were tremendous all day. Our defense has been really good all season. What I liked is Xavier didn't quit. They kept battling and every time they scored we responded. I think that is a sign of a team coming together.”

Nolan Arp had two hits and Bryce Charipar had two RBIs in the nightcap to lead Xavier (3-6, 1-3 MVC Mississippi). The Saints Sean Murphy had two hits and scored twice in the doubleheader.

0l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com