Another upset of North Linn would send Alburnett to state softball

They don’t have to dream it. They’ve done it.

Now, the Alburnett Pirates try to do it again, in a make-or-break atmosphere.

“We’ve beaten them before, so that shows we can compete with them,” said Alburnett Coach Nathan Robertson, whose 10th-ranked Pirates (28-12) face No. 2 North Linn (38-6) in a Class 2A softball regional final Monday.

First pitch is 7 p.m. at Troy Mills.

State-tournament berths are at stake Monday, and the Alburnett-North Linn tussle is one of seven regional finals containing area teams.

It’s a busy night locally in Class 3A, with five area teams in action, four at home. No. 2 Mount Vernon (33-4) hosts Hampton-Dumont/CAL (15-8), No. 3 Williamsburg (30-10) welcomes No. 10 Roland-Story (24-8), No. 7 Anamosa (31-9) entertains Crestwood (21-7), No. 8 West Liberty (22-7) hosts No. 14 Davis County (21-7), and No. 11 Solon (26-12) visits No. 1 Davenport Assumption (36-3).

In Class 1A, No. 7 Sigourney (24-8) hosts Belle Plaine (17-17).

All games are at 7 p.m., except the one at Mount Vernon, which begins at 5.

It was Alburnett that ended North Linn’s 81-game Tri-Rivers Conference winning streak, in the first game of a doubleheader June 28.

“They’re going to have a lot of confidence, knowing they’ve beaten us once already,” North Linn Coach Chad Spore said. “I think it could be good for us. I don’t think I’ll have to mentally prepare our girls. They’ll be ready.”

The Lynx were 2A state champions in 2019, runners-up in 2020. They’re among the favorites again this season despite losing five senior starters, and Spore succeeded Marv Porter as head coach.

“I think we’ve got all of our pieces in the right direction right now,” Spore said. “Especially at the bottom the order.”

As you would figure in a high-stakes game between neighboring schools, Robertson expects a “high-energy” contest.

“Chad is intense. I am intense,” he said. “It’s going to be a fun atmosphere. We’re not going to let it get too big.”

The only other area-vs.-area matchup is the all-South Iowa Cedar League matchup at Sigourney. Led by freshman pitcher Carly Goodwin, the host Savages haven’t allowed a run in their current 10-game winning streak.

“She throws hard and moves the ball really well,” Belle Plaine Coach Todd Bohlen said. “We’re going to have to find a way to scrape out runs.

“We’re playing loose, and with a lot of enthusiasm. Sometimes a team that’s favored tightens up a little bit.”

Monday’s area softball regional finals

CLASS 3A

No. 10 Roland-Story (24-8) at No. 3 Williamsburg (30-10), 7 p.m.

Two of the last three 3A state runners-up collide at Jim Turner Field. The champion of the Wamac Conference West Division, Williamsburg has won 13 of its last 15 games, and the two losses came against 5A top-ranked Muscatine. Tied with Saydel through five innings, the Raiders scored five times in the sixth and won, 9-4. Sophomore slugger Elle Ridgeway has 12 home runs and 50 RBIs to her credit, and freshman Shannon Finn leads the team in hitting (.450) and runs (45). Roland-Story won its first two postseason games by scores of 4-3 and 6-4. Macy Friest is hitting .439 with 15 doubles and 40 RBIs.

Hampton-Dumont/CAL (15-8) at No. 2 Mount Vernon (33-4), 5 p.m.

Mount Vernon is heavily favored to reach the state tournament for the sixth time in the last seven years. Champions of the Wamac East, the Mustangs have won their last seven games, and claimed their first two regional games via shutout. Junior Jenna Sprague (24-2) has blossomed into one of the top pitchers in the state; she has fanned 224 batters and owns a 1.07 ERA. Mount Vernon is balanced and potent offensively, with a .379 team average. Maia Bentley leads at .519, with 28 extra-base hits and 40 RBIs. Leadoff hitter Nadia Telecky is at .462 with 52 runs. Hampton-Dumont/CAL will be making a 133-mile trip and is on a five-game win streak, including a 12-2 win over Clear Lake in the regional semifinals.

Crestwood (21-7) at No. 7 Anamosa (31-9), 7 p.m.

After falling short in two straight regional finals on the road (against West Liberty in 2019 and Mount Vernon in 2020), Anamosa gets another crack at its first state trip since 1996, and will do so this time from the comforts of home. Led by pitcher Emily Watters, the River Valley Conference North Division champs have won nine of their last 11 games, and have allowed only three runs in the last six games. Watters (20-6) has struck out 320 batters and owns a tidy 0.85 ERA. Grace Lubben triggers the Raiders’ attack, with a .535 average, eight home runs and 54 RBIs. Watters (.496) has scored 60 runs and has hit 20 doubles. Crestwood edged Waukon, 2-1, in the regional semifinals.

No. 11 Solon (26-12) at No. 1 Davenport Assumption (36-3), 7 p.m.

After run-ruling South Tama and West Marshall in the first two rounds, the level of competition goes up significantly for Solon. Assumption won three consecutive 3A state titles from 2017 through 2019 before settling for third place last year, and the Mississippi Athletic Conference champion Knights are poised for a return to the top. Assumption is No. 1 in all classes in Varsity Bound’s power index. Senior Anna Wohlers is hitting an even .500 with 19 home runs and 62 RBIs, and the Knights have shutdown pitchers in Bella Nigey and Leah Maro. Solon has its own offensive firepower, with a team batting average of .450. Sarah Heick, Hilary Wilson and Camryn Keith combine for 134 runs, 23 home runs and 158 RBIs.

No. 14 Davis County (21-7) at No. 8 West Liberty (22-7), 7 p.m.

Davis County pulled the state’s first significant surprise of the tournament series, tripping No. 4 West Burlington, 2-1, in the regional semifinals. The Mustangs and the Comets are the survivors of a region that started with four ranked clubs. West Liberty is seeking its second state appearance in three years; the Comets were third in 2019. Four players are hitting better than .400, including all three Hall sisters. Eighth-grader Pearson Hall leads the team in average (.438) and runs (37). Sophomore Finley Hall is at .421, junior Sailor Hall at .407. Sailor Hall also shares pitching duties with Janey Gingerich. Davis County is the runner-up of the South Central Conference and pursues its first state trip in school history.

CLASS 2A

No. 10 Alburnett (28-12) at No. 2 North Linn (38-6), 7 p.m.

These teams collided in a doubleheader June 28 at Alburnett, and the host Pirates won the first game 4-3, ending the Lynx’s 81-game Tri-Rivers Conference win streak. North Linn won the nightcap 13-2, and went on to win the West Division championship. The Lynx were 2019 2A state champions, settling for second last year, and continue to hum along under new coach Chad Spore. They have bashed 41 home runs, including 13 by freshman leadoff hitter Skylar Benesh, who has scored 68 runs and has driven in 49. Juniors Jill Smith and Jenna Lemley have 97 RBIs between them. Alburnett has taken a big step this season after a 7-12 campaign last year. Junior Hailey Carolan has compiled a 17-5 mark, and is one of six starters hitting .380 or better. Sydney Cook leads at .454 with a team-high 33 RBIs.

CLASS 1A

Belle Plaine (17-17) at No. 7 Sigourney (24-8), 7 p.m.

After eliminating one of the South Iowa Cedar League co-champions (Lynnville-Sully, 2-1) in the regional semifinals, Belle Plaine goes after the other. Questions is, can the Plainsmen solve the mystery that is Sigourney pitcher Carly Goodwin? The Savages have won 10 straight games, all by shutout, and Goodwin (20-3) is the key reason why. The freshman owns a 0.51 ERA with 253 strikeouts in 137 innings. She also is batting a team-leading .500. Sigourney won its previous two games (against English Valleys and North Mahaska) by 1-0 margins, including a 10-inning affair in the regional semis. Belle Plaine does not have a senior on its roster, but is peaking in the postseason. The Plainsmen knocked off No. 14 Grand View Christian prior to their victory over No. 10 Lynnville-Sully. Olivia Bohlen is hitting .407 and 31 runs.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com