Prairie wins opening game against Kennedy; lightning stops second

CEDAR RAPIDS - Katie Kuch kept Cedar Rapids Prairie in the game with her arm.

Then she won it with her bat.

Kuch laced a two-run double with one out in the top of the ninth inning to give Prairie a 3-1 victory over Cedar Rapids Kennedy in the first game of a Mississippi Valley Conference softball double-header Tuesday night at Kennedy.

“It couldn't have come at a more perfect time,” Kuch said. “My heart was beating so hard.

“I just wanted to put the ball in play hard and get it in a gap, and that's what happened.”

The second game was suspended with Prairie leading, 2-0, in the bottom of the first. Kennedy had two on and no outs when the first lightning bolts of the night were sighted. The nightcap will be completed at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Prairie (3-3 overall, 1-2 MVC) wasted opportunities in the fifth and seventh innings. Both times, the Hawks had the lead runner at second with no outs. Both times, they failed to convert.

Kuch wouldn't let it happen again.

After Katie Wieland drew a leadoff walk and Ali O'Brien hit a one-out single, Kuch delivered a drive to the fence in right-center field.

Kuch earned the pitching win, scattering five hits - just two in the final six innings of work.

“The defense did really well,” Kuch said. “When (Kennedy) put the ball in play, the defense made plays.”

Prairie bunched together three hits for a run in the top of the first. Katie Baestle singled home Kenzie Blaha.

Kennedy (0-3, 0-3) got even in the bottom of the second when Amber Jungjohann singled home Amanda Gaffey, and it remained 1-1 until Kuch collected the clutch hit.

Game 1

C.R. Prairie ………………….. 100 000 002 – 3  9  1

C.R. Kennedy ……………….. 010 000 000 – 1  5  2

Katie Kuch and Shelby Crist. Kassi Nunnikhoven and Jordan Calef.