The same summer will never come again. With no two summers being the same, it’s important to take a step back and reflect on all the good tidings this summer brought. For Mid-Prairie, this summertime proved to be another great one. 

After a season that saw Mid-Prairie capture its fourth consecutive district title, winning the River Valley Conference championship, and claim 27 victories, it came as no surprise the postseason accolades came rolling in. 

Three Golden Hawks from this year’s baseball team received all-state recognition from the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association.

Mid-Prairie junior Karson Grout was named first team all-state and seniors Collin Miller and Alex Bean were named second team all-state.  

Being selected first team all-state shortstop is an accomplishment Grout can add to his list of impressive postseason accolades, having also been named first-team all-conference as an infielder and named first-team all-district shortstop.  

“God has blessed Karson with the talent that most do not have. He is truly special and players like him do not come around often,” Mid-Prairie baseball coach Kyle Mullet said. “Karson knows he is special and has the talent. He is meant to be a baseball player.”

Grout, who has verbally committed to the University of Iowa baseball program, has been playing for Mid-Prairie since he was an eighth grader. 

In his four years as a Golden Hawk, this year was the first season where he saw no playing time on the mound, but it also turned into his most productive year on offense. 

Reaching his high school career high, Grout ended his junior year with 48 hits. His hit total not only led Mid-Prairie, but it was also the second most in Class 2A. 

More often than not his hits brought in his teammates to score, amassing a team leading 37 RBIs which was also the fifth most in the state. Helping that RBI total was Grout connecting on four home runs, the most on the team. 

“He works so hard behind the scenes that the public does not see. He puts in countless hours in the batting cage and on the field working on his talents. Karson surrounds himself with good coaches and mentors,” Mullet said.

Grout also excelled when it came to baserunning. Never getting caught, he was able to go 20 for 20 on stolen bases. He also scored 34 runs, the second most on the team.

A vital part of Mid-Prairie’s success this season, Grout is no doubt a player his teammates and coaches hold in high regard. 

“Traveling across the country getting exposure to college coaches and pro scouts,” Mullet said about Grout. “Those experiences, the coaches, the people, the training, his work ethic and his love for the game is what helps him to be the best player he can be.”

Collin Miller began his Mid-Prairie baseball journey as a freshman back in 2020 and even then, he was able to stand out from the crowd as someone who isn’t afraid of high-pressure situations. 

“As a freshman he was a closer on our 2020 State run.” Mullet said about Miller. “Closing out a big game against Central Lee to take us back to the State tournament. Since then, he has progressively been a starting pitcher for us. Ending his career as one of the top Pitchers in the state and especially class 2A.”

For Miller, being selected second team all-state as a pitcher comes on the heels of his first team all-conference and first team all-district selections which were also as a pitcher. 

Miller’s play at the pitcher position has only gotten better and better every season. 

Just looking at his ability to strike out batters in his four-year high school career, he went from six strikeouts to 22 strikeouts to 72 strikeouts to a senior year where he struck out a career high 74 batters. 

“Anytime Collin was on the mound we knew we had a good chance to beat our opponent,” Mullet said. “His physical ability is what makes him a good ball player but it’s his mentality, competitiveness, and knowledge of the game and how to pitch that makes him a great pitcher/ ball player.”

This season Miller, who pitched in 58 innings, held an unblemished 7-0 pitching record, giving him the third most wins in Class 2A. He had an earned run average (ERA) of 1.68 and gave up 15 runs in total. 

Not just limited to the defensive side of baseball, on offense Miller was able to finish the season with 22 hits, 12 RBIs, scored 15 runs, and a batting average of .224. His 12 RBIs was a high school career high. 

With this being his final year as a Golden Hawk, Miller will be missed by his teammates and coaches not only for his impressive play but also the person he has become because of his choice to play baseball. 

“It has been a pleasure coaching Collin,” Mullet said. “We have shared a lot of memories together that we will cherish forever. He is a fine young man, and we wish him the best on his next chapter in life.”

Throughout his four-year high school career Alex Bean participated in a wide array of sports. He has played soccer, basketball, golf, and of course baseball. A versatile athlete in his senior season, Bean is a type of player people want to have on their team.

“In his senior season he was a true leader for his team and his teammates,” Mullet said about Bean’s leadership during the 2023 baseball season. “He led by example and does things the right way. In moments of adversity Alex would step up and be the leader our team needed.”

In addition to his second team all-state selection as an outfielder, Bean was also selected as an outfielder for the first team all-conference and first team all-district teams. 

Bean’s 2023 baseball campaign saw him reach high school career highs in hits, RBIs, and strikeouts. 

 His 39 hits were the second most among the Golden Hawks and the 10th most in Class 2A. Going 39 for 104 at the plate Bean ended the year with a .375 batting average. Having a knack for hitting his teammates home to score a run his 28 RBIs were the second most on the team. 

“Baseball is a hard game mentally and it takes a strong and confident minded individual to have success and lead a team like Alex did,” Mullet said. “Alex is a great example of what student athletes should aspire to be on and off the field.”

A truly skilled player, Bean also shined while playing the pitcher position. He ended his season with a 6-2 pitching record, the fourth most wins in Class 2A. Pitching in 38 innings Bean was able to strike our 40 batters while giving up 28 hits and he had a 3.50 ERA. 

Summer ends and while the same summer will never come again Mullet and the rest of the coaching staff understand how fortunate they are to coach a team filled with talented players who are growing into exceptional young men.  

“We are here to help and guide these teenage boys as they become young men. Seeing Alex mature into the young man he is today has been truly special to see as a coach,” Mullet said.

“We are proud of him and all of our seniors. We wish them all the best on their next chapters. Alex and his senior teammates will all make good impacts on their future communities wherever that may be.”