2A and 1A Iowa high school softball 2024 regionals open Monday

South Winneshiek is a conference champion, and has won nine of its last 10 games.

Yet, the Warriors are playing on opening night of the Class 2A softball tournament series.

While most quality 2A teams don’t get cooking until the quarterfinal round Wednesday, South Winn (21-12) kicks off with a first-round battle at 7 p.m. Monday at home against Postville (0-16).

No, it’s not the best area opening-round matchup, but South Winn is among the top area teams playing Monday.

After starting 3-8, the Warriors heated up, particularly once Upper Iowa Conference play opened. They went 16-0 in UIC action.

They have ridden the arm of freshman pitcher Aubree Gesing (19-10) and the power of junior Britney Hageman (five home runs, 45 RBIs).

Regionals open Monday in 2A and 1A. The top area 1A team in first-round action appears to be Highland (17-8), which opens at home against Keota (2-14).

Highland boats multisport athlete Sarah Burton (.442, 43 runs, 35 stolen bases), while senior pitcher Grace Prybil is 13-3 with a 1.29 ERA.

Two of the top area games Monday are in 1A Region 8: Iowa Valley (10-13) is at Belle Plaine (8-12), and Hillcrest Academy (12-12) visits Wapello (17-13).

Hillcrest’s 12 wins are one more than that of the previous four seasons combined (11-71).

After Monday’s slate is complete, each 1A and 2A region will have eight remaining teams. Quarterfinals are Wednesday, semifinals Friday, finals next Monday.

Regionals open in 3A, 4A and 5A on Thursday.

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Monday’s Class 2A Regional First Round

(All games 7 p.m.)

Region 4

Colfax-Mingo (2-17) at Woodward-Granger (10-12)

South Central Calhoun (1-17) at Panorama (7-21)

Region 6

Grundy Center (10-17) at South Hamilton (13-16)

Lake Mills (7-14) at Belmond-Klemme (10-14)

Region 7

Waterloo Columbus (1-21) at Denver (13-17)

Postville (0-16) at South Winneshiek (21-12)

Region 8

MFL MarMac (7-23) at Bellevue Marquette (7-21)

Columbus Community (7-21) at West Branch (10-20)

Class 1A Regional First Round

(7 p.m. unless noted)

Region 5

Lynnville-Sully (9-16) at North Mahaska (9-12)

Murray (20-6) at East Union (4-21)

Melcher-Dallas (6-22) at Montezuma (9-11)

North Tama (7-9) at Janesville (10-14)

Baxter (0-19) at Conrad BCLUW (13-16)

Region 7

Starmont (2-21) at Clayton Ridge (9-10), 5 p.m.

Elkader Central (3-19) at Lansing Kee (19-17)

Turkey Valley (7-23) at West Central (8-14)

Dunkerton (5-16) at East Buchanan (9-15)

Region 8

Iowa Valley (10-13) at Belle Plaine (8-12)

Keota (2-14) at Highland (17-8)

Hillcrest Academy (12-12) at Wapello (17-13)

Springville (9-22) at Lone Tree (12-13)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com