Iowa high school softball 2021: 8 Gazette area teams to watch

Eight Gazette area Iowa high school softball teams to watch for the 2021 season.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy

• 2020 record: 26-1 overall, 21-1 MVC

• 2020 postseason: Class 5A state champion

• Coach: Maddison LeClere (5th year, 133-19)

• Returning starters (6): P Jayme Scheck, sr.; 1B Keaton Gerber, jr.; LF Addie Parker, sr.; CF Mya Dodge, sr.; RF Sam Scheck, sr.; OF Addy Alber, soph.

Cedar Rapids Prairie

• 2020 record: 12-8 overall, 11-5 MVC

• 2020 postseason: Class 5A regional semifinalist

• Coach: Alisha Frese (2nd year at Prairie, 12-8; 18th year overall, 443-261)

• Returning starters (9): P Megan Steffens, sr.; C Jensyn Jones, jr.; 1B Amaya Snyder, sr.; 1B Riley Sauser, sr.; 3B Rylee Newhard, jr.; SS Alexis Barden, jr.; LF Miranda Farr, sr.; CF Grace Ironside, sr.; RF Hannah Ironside, jr.

Cedar Rapids Xavier

• 2020 record: 16-10 overall, 9-9 MVC

• 2020 postseason: Class 4A regional semifinalist

• Coach: Nikki Gahring (9th year, 192-118)

• Returning starters (10): P Kennedy Oleson, sr.; C Grace Zaugg, sr.; 1B Rylee Beardsworth, sr.; 2B Keely Pilcher, jr.; 3B Duanna Coyle, soph.; SS Kya Loffswold, sr.; LF Maggie Conrad, sr.; CF Brielle Bastian, jr.; RF Briona Charipar, sr.; DH Sydney Turner, sr.

Iowa City High

• 2020 record: 18-5 overall, 15-3 MVC

• 2020 postseason: Class 5A regional finalist

• Coach: Jeff Koenig (7th year, 121-115)

• Returning starters (7): P/1B Ella Cook., sr.; P/SS Ayana Lindsey, sr.; C Carey Koenig, sr.; 3B Makayla Ribble, jr.; CF Elyse Rios, jr.; RF Georgia Kimm, jr.; DH Libby Frantz, jr.

Iowa City Liberty

• 2020 record: 17-9 overall, 13-7 MVC

• 2020 postseason: Class 5A regional finalist

• Coach: Jeff Kelley (4th year at Liberty, 56-54; 209-112 overall at high school level)

• Returning starters (9): P Kara Maiers, sr.; C Mischa Reiners, fr.; 1B Miranda Jones, sr.; 2B Addie Schmierer, sr.; 3B Haley Napoli, jr.; SS Raquel Trolliet, sr.; OF Ashlyn Geasland, sr.; OF Kennedy Daugherty, soph.; OF Kinsley Robertson, jr.

Lisbon

• 2020 record: 21-5 overall, 14-2 Tri-Rivers

• 2020 postseason: Class 1A state tournament, 4th place

• Coach: Bob Bunting (52nd year, 1,218-637)

• Returning starters (7): P Ryleigh Allgood, soph.; C Taylor Techau, sr.; 2B Mia Peterson, jr.; 3B Stacia Hall, sr.; SS Peyton Robinson, soph.; LF Paige Roos, sr.; RF Kali Nelson, soph.

West Delaware

• 2020 record: 21-5 overall, 16-2 Wamac

• 2020 postseason: Class 4A state qualifier

• Coach: Tiffany Rave (7th year at West Delaware, 159-74; 11th year overall, 267-122)

• Returning starters: 2B Heather Heims, sr.; SS Kayla Felton, jr.; 3B Ella Koloc, jr.; LF Alissa Holtz, sr.; CF Eva Winn, sr.; RF Eve Wedewer, sr.; DH Mia Peyton, sr.

Williamsburg

• 2020 record: 25-5 overall, 17-3 Wamac

• 2020 postseason: Class 3A state runner-up

• Coach: Adam Berte (5th year, 100-52)

• Returning starters (8): P Peyton Driscoll, soph.; P Jayden Kennebeck, sr.; C Carly Campbell, sr.; 1B Elle Ridgeway, soph.; LF Olivia Stratton, sr.; CF Shannon Finn, fr.; RF Charlotte Wetjen, sr.; DH Megan Lamparek, sr.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com