Tracking the softball races

As the regular season comes to a close, here is how the area conference races stand:

MVC MISSISSIPPI -- Cedar Rapids Jefferson (19-5) has moved into first place, and the J-Hawks can wrap up at least a title share with a sweep of Iowa City West at home Monday. Dubuque Senior (17-5) also earns no worse than a share for the title if it can handle Dubuque Wahlert on Monday and Waterloo East on Tuesday.

MVC VALLEY -- Cedar Rapids Xavier (18-6) holds a one-game edge on Cedar Rapids Prairie (17-7) heading into the final night of action. The Saints close against surging Cedar Rapids Washington; Prairie hosts Dubuque Hempstead.

WAMAC EAST -- Solon is the champion; the Spartans ran through the division with a 14-0 mark.

WAMAC WEST -- Benton Community (10-2) leads Clear Creek Amana (9-3) by a game, and both teams have a double-header left. The Clippers are at Waterloo Columbus on Friday; Benton hosts Vinton-Shellsburg on Monday. Center Point-Urbana is 10-4 and still mathematically alive for a title share, but leads Benton to lose twice and CCA to lose at least once.

TRI-RIVERS -- Monticello is the champion. The Panthers (17-1) earned it outright Wednesday, when Cascade (16-2) dropped its second game to Starmont.

CEDAR VALLEY -- Mid-Prairie (11-2) has wrapped up a title share. The Golden Hawks can win it solo if they beat Wilton at home Friday. If not, they'll share the crown with Durant (11-3).

BIG EAST -- Bellevue Marquette is the champion.

NORTHEAST IOWA -- Waverly-Shell Rock is the champion.

SOUTH IOWA CEDAR -- Lynnville-Sully is the champion.

UPPER IOWA -- North Fayette and Sumner-Fredericksburg are co-champions.

NICL EAST -- Jesup is the champion.

SEISC NORTH -- Highland is the champion.

SOUTHEAST -- Washington (10-4) holds the cards in this race. The Demons earn a share of the title with Fairfield if they win at Fort Madison on Monday. Sweep, and the Demons are sole champs.