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Drew Proskovec makes most of his opportunities with Kirkwood baseball program
Proskovec earned the win in Game 2 of doubleheader sweep over Iowa Lakes
K.J. Pilcher
Apr. 9, 2024 7:02 pm, Updated: Apr. 9, 2024 7:29 pm
CEDAR RAPIDS — Drew Proskovec decided to take a gamble on his future.
He considered his odds of getting opportunities to compete as part of University of Iowa’s bullpen compared to Kirkwood Community College’s rotation. The decision yielded some success for the 6-foot-3. 195-pound lefty.
“I’m kind of betting on myself, but I think it’s been great,” Proskovec said. “I wouldn’t change anything that I’ve done.”
Proskovec produced a quality start, striking out seven in five innings in the nightcap of the Eagles’ baseball doubleheader sweep over Iowa Lakes Tuesday at Kirkwood. The Eagles won the opener, 7-0, and closed with an 11-1 victory in seven innings.
“It’s really easy when you have a defense like that behind you,” Proskovec said. “They make all the plays, so you can’t complain. You just let your defense do all the work.
“It’s pretty easy to throw with those guys behind me.”
Proskovec improved to 3-0 in seven appearances this season. He allowed one run on just three hits, demonstrating command of his fastball, breaking ball and changeup.
“When Drew is right, he has three pitches he can throw for a strike and he can throw them at any count,” Kirkwood Coach Todd Rima said. “If you look at his percentages, it was a lot of secondary stuff today. He kept them off balance and that’s when he’s really good.”
Proskovec, a former Cedar Rapids Xavier prep, played for the Hawkeyes last year. He made three relief appearances for 1 2/3 innings. He has rediscovered the fun in the game. Proskovec has also had to get reacclimated to competition, becoming comfortable in game situations.
“The biggest thing has been trusting my stuff,” Proskovec said. “I know the guys behind me have me all the time. They’re always backing me up.
“Just getting confident and comfortable with myself and knowing I can get outs for the team.”
Proskovec has been able to make strides mentally. He said he was timid and nervous on the mound last year. He has more faith in his ability meshed with more resilience, like when he allowed just one run when Iowa Lakes (5-27, 1-12) put the first two batters on in the fourth.
“I can do this,” Proskovec said about his mentality this season. “I know I can. Coach Rima and I have worked on being tough. You can’t change what already happened. If you give up a hit, so what? Go to the next one.
“I’ve made the most progress in mental toughness, being able to not get rattled when things don’t go my way.”
Asheton Smith and Jacob Barrett each worked an inning of scoreless relief. Barrett struck out the side in the seventh.
Rima praised Proskovec for his attitude and approach. Proskovec has worked hard to improve from the first day at Kirkwood.
“It’s been good for him,” Rima said. “He has continued to grow and works really hard. He’s an unbelievable teammate. We’re just glad he’s here.
“I’m always intrigued by how a Division I transfer is going to come in, interact and be coachable. You wouldn’t know he came from that. He wants to work. He wants to be coached. He wants to get better. It’s so refreshing when that’s the mentality that he comes in with and he’s done that since Day 1.”
The Eagles (26-9, 7-6 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference) provided plenty of offensive support. They built a 5-0 lead with three in the first and two more the next inning. Kirkwood added three more in the fourth.
Clayton Campadili and Jaxon Schumacher hit back-to-back home runs in the three-run fifth. Campadili’s two-run shot scored Miles Risley. Owen Ross and Schumacher each had two hits and Ross added two RBIs in the nightcap.
In Game 1, Caden Wilson and former Cedar Rapids Prairie prep Caden Stoffer combined for a shutout. Risley led the Eagles with two hits in the opener, while former Prairie prep Cal Sullivan drove in two runs.
Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com