Regina, Williamsburg, North Linn take aim at state softball titles

FORT DODGE — Through a 15-year stretch of softball excellence, Iowa City Regina has “been there, done that.”

But the Regals haven’t done this — win consecutive state championships.

“It would be so insane to go back-to-back,” Dani Laughlin said.

That opportunity comes Friday.

In the middle game of a championship tripleheader at the Rogers Sports Complex — all three games are 1-vs.-2, and all carry significant area interest — top-rated Regina (29-8) chases a new frontier when it faces No. 2 Van Meter (36-5) for the Class 2A title.

First pitch is 5 p.m.

In the 3A game at 2:30, No. 1 Williamsburg (35-9) seeks its first championship when it meets No. 2 Davenport Assumption (34-6). And at 7:30, No. 2 North Linn (38-6) goes after its third title in five years when it battles No. 1 Martensdale-St. Marys (27-6) in the 1A showdown.

All games will be televised by Iowa PBS.

Regina is a Fort Dodge fixture, making its 10th appearance in 15 years. That run has been highlighted by 2A championships in 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2022

The Regals had repeat opportunities in 2016 and 2018, settling for second both times.

“You always want to leave (a program) in better shape than you found it, and we have a big chance to do that (Friday),” catcher Courtney Kessler said.

The Regals are playing for more than a legacy, more than themselves.

One of their schoolmates, Aidan O’Neil, died unexpectedly July 11.

“We’re a close team anyway, but this really brought us together as a team,” Laughlin said. “We’re playing for him, and we want to make him proud.”

Hey, you look familiar

Williamsburg and Assumption have been No. 1 and No. 2 all season in 3A, and they’ll be playing their third state showdown in four years.

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In 2020, the then-upstart Raiders ended Assumption’s title reign at three years with a 5-4 semifinal upset. In last year’s semifinals, the Knights managed just one hit in the semifinals, but prevailed, 1-0.

The teams played a regular-season game June 10; Williamsburg won, 4-3.

“Actually, I feel a little relieved that we’re playing them again. There will be less scouting necessary because of the familiarity,” Raiders Coach Adam Berte said.

Williamsburg has thrived on its speed game this week, outscoring its first two opponents by a 19-1 margin. The Raiders’ bunt scheme has been effective, and they stole a 3A-record nine bases in the semifinal win over Estherville-Lincoln Central.

“We’ve tried to practice bunting a lot,” Berte said. “But for a long time, we just weren’t very good at it. This year, it’s a lot better.

“With Peyton (Driscoll) pitching, sometimes one run makes a big difference.”

Williamsburg has placed second, third and third in its previous three state appearances. Assumption is in the 3A final for the seventh time in eight years.

Missing Lynx? Hardly

North Linn’s hobbled pitcher is a hot one.

Ellie Flanagan, who missed the regional final due to a knee injury, has allowed one run in 15 innings this week.

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Expect a pitchers’ duel between Flanagan and Martensdale-St. Marys’ Campbell German, who has posted back-to-back shutouts. In fact, the Blue Devils have not surrendered a run in five postseason games.

North Linn has advanced deep for the fifth consecutive year. The Lynx were 2A champions in 2019 and 2021, 2A runners-up in 2020 and finished fourth in 1A last year.

True, several of last year’s projected returners opted not to go out, but the remaining cast has kept the program at an elite level.

“I didn’t know what our potential would be,” Kenzie Bridgewater said.

Turns out, very good.

“No disrespect to our past teams, but this is really a warm feeling,” Coach Chad Spore said. “I have such a good feeling for this group.”

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com