Kee baseball team plays to 12-6 season, UIC runner-up finish in 2020

Like all Iowa high schools this summer, the 2020 Kee baseball season was also impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, having this recently completed season shortened to just over a month’s time from the June 1 initial practice allowed to postseason play beginning in mid-July. Not only did the virus trim what was planned to be a 40-game schedule to just under half that total, but it also took away some crucial pre-season preparation the Hawks rely on, especially with this year’s squad featuring just one senior, two juniors and 10 sophomores, with as many as seven of those youngest players in the Hawk line-up at one time throughout the season.

“Every team was in the same boat as far as missed practice time with the COVID-19, but I think that it affects younger teams more,” Kee baseball coach Jim Mauss said. “Most of our starting line-up are sophomores so missing out on those pitchers and catchers along with the entire month of May hurt us a lot. I think in the end we were all grateful to get the opportunity to play and I’m happy for our lone senior, Cade Rasque, to have the chance to play one last summer.”

In addition to the shortened season schedule, absence of pre-season preparation and mitigation restrictions every team had to deal with this season, COVID-19 impacted the Hawks a bit further and nearly to the ultimate extent toward the end of this season. The Hawks were forced to cancel their final two playing dates of the regular season while they awaited the results of COVID-19 testing for some team members, with those tests ultimately coming back negative and allowing the Hawks to complete their season.

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