Mount Vernon softball: A shiny new field; a very good team

A classy new facility has left Mount Vernon softball coach Robin Brand nearly speechless.

“Oh my goodness, it’s amazing,” she said. “I don’t know how to describe it.”

Her team, and its success, could elicit a similar response. The Mustangs have been stunningly good this summer.

Second-ranked Mount Vernon (31-4) opens postseason play with a Class 3A regional-quarterfinal test against Center Point-Urbana (14-20) Tuesday. First pitch is 5 p.m. and the brand-spanking-new Van Metre Family Softball Field.

The Mustangs’ first appearance in their new facility was last week. The bulk of their regular-season campaign was played on the road.

“New field, new uniforms ... it was a lot,” Brand said.

The Van Metre field contains artificial turf, both in the infield and outfield.

“It’s just faster,” Brand said. “We’re making some adjustments, not trying to overthink it. The bounces are true, so that’s really nice.”

The champion of the Wamac Conference East Division, Mount Vernon has been a difficult mystery to solve, a tough team to scout. That’s because eight batters are hitting .340 or better. Seven have more than 20 RBIs.

The CPU-Mount Vernon game is the only 5 p.m. start in the area Tuesday. All others start at 7.

Among other area ranked 3A teams: No. 3 Williamsburg (28-10) — last year’s state runner-up — hosts Nevada (12-15), No. 6 Anamosa (29-9) welcomes North Fayette Valley (11-19), No. 9 West Liberty (20-7) hosts Mid-Prairie (10-29) and No. 10 Solon (23-11) entertains South Tama (4-33).

Regionals also open Tuesday in 2A and 1A, but the area’s top teams (and competitive matchups) are on hold until Wednesday.

North Linn (36-6), the top-rated squad in 2A, will host the winner of Tuesday’s Postville/South Winneshiek matchup in a regional quarterfinal Wednesday.

Lisbon (32-8) begins pursuit of a fourth straight 1A state berth Wednesday, against the winner of Tuesday’s Calamus-Wheatland/Bellevue Marquette encounter. The Lions are ranked No. 4 in the small-school class.

Also in 1A, Central City (31-9) and Springville (22-12) are heavily favored Tuesday — the Wildcats host Easton Valley (1-29); the Orioles welcome Midland (7-29). Barring an upset, Central City and Springville will collide in the second round Wednesday at Springville.

Tuesday’s Class 3A regional quarterfinals

(7 p.m. unless noted)

Region 4

Nevada (12-15) at Williamsburg (28-10)

Greene County (6-15) at Saydel (24-7)

Southeast Valley (14-10) at Roland-Story (22-8)

Humboldt (12-12) at Iowa Falls-Alden (11-10)

Region 5

Center Point-Urbana (14-20) at Mount Vernon (31-4), 5 p.m.

Vinton-Shellsburg (12-24) at Independence (17-24)

Garner GHV (10-15) at Hampton-Dumont/CAL (13-8)

Clear Lake (11-12) at Sumner-Fredericksburg (22-14)

Region 6

North Fayette Valley (10-19) at Anamosa (29-9)

Monticello (13-16) at Oelwein (12-13)

Forest City (9-16) at Crestwood (19-7)

New Hampton (10-20) at Waukon (11-18)

Region 7

Tipton (1-25) at Davenport Assumption (31-3)

Maquoketa (16-18) at Camanche (5-20)

South Tama (4-33) at Solon (23-11)

Union Community (8-19) at West Marshall (6-19)

Region 8

Columbus Community (10-15) at West Burlington (29-4)

Central Lee (16-10) at Davis County (19-7)

Mid-Prairie (10-29) at West Liberty (20-7)

Monroe PCM (14-14) at Knoxville (21-8)

Tuesday’s Class 2A regional first round

(All games, 7 p.m.)

Region 6

Postville (0-14) at South Winneshiek (11-16)

Grundy Center (13-10) at Dike-New Hartford (19-10)

Region 7

North Cedar (6-18) at West Branch (15-15)

Mediapolis (2-20) at Cardinal (14-13)

Region 8

Starmont (9-23) at Maquoketa Valley (12-19)

Bellevue (3-24) at MFL MarMac (3-29)

Tuesday’s Class 1A regional first round

(All games, 7 p.m.)

Region 5

Tri-County (4-16) at English Valleys (13-12)

Keota (2-14) at North Mahaska (16-10)

Iowa Valley (4-19) at Montezuma (8-20)

HLV (8-13) at BGM (10-14)

Baxter (7-14) at Belle Plaine (13-17)

Region 6

West Hancock (2-22) at North Iowa (6-14)

Northwood-Kensett (9-15) at Saint Ansgar (19-8)

Rockford (2-20) at Riceville (17-11)

Turkey Valley (19-10) at Nashua-Plainfield (7-18)

Elkader Central (11-14) at Edgewood-Colesburg (11-27)

Region 7

North Tama (0-22) at Conrad BCLUW (2-30)

Garwin GMG (6-18) at Ackley AGWSR (13-14)

Gladbrook-Reinbeck (1-12) at Colo-Nesco (9-17)

Dunkerton (2-17) at Wapsie Valley (9-21)

East Buchanan (10-20) at Janesville (8-18)

Region 8

Calamus-Wheatland (15-16) at Bellevue Marquette (15-12)

Midland (7-29) at Springville (22-12)

Easton Valley (1-29) at Central City (31-9)

Hillcrest Academy (0-22) at New London (6-22)

Lone Tree (9-15) at Fort Madison Holy Trinity (6-15)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com