5 Iowa high school softball regional games to watch in the area Friday

A trip to the Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge is the aim for area softball teams, and the regional road begins Friday with Class 2A and Class 1A first-round games. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

Friday marks the beginning of the Iowa high school softball postseason, with first-round games in Class 2A and Class 1A.

Here are five of the area’s best matchups; all games Friday begin at 7 p.m.

English Valleys (13-9) at North Mahaska (12-11)

Class 1A Region 8

North Mahaska claimed a 3-0 regular-season win on June 15, getting a run in the fifth inning and two in the sixth. English Valleys senior Gwen Mews is on base regularly; she is hitting .529, sports a .580 on-base percentage and leads the Bears with 27 runs. Pitcher Kennedy Axmear has enjoyed a superb all-around sophomore year, highlighted by a Drake Relays discus title. She is 12-9 in the circle with 159 strikeouts. The winner is likely to play at Highland (19-8) in the second round Wednesday.

Iowa Valley (9-13) at Belle Plaine (13-12)

Class 1A Region 6

Belle Plaine is the only SICL team to take down league champion Sigourney. But the Plainsmen have dropped three straight games, including an 11-5 setback to Iowa Valley on June 22. Senior Olivia Bohlen is hitting .388 with 34 runs and 20 stolen bases, and has committed only one error all summer. Senior pitcher Brenna Cook (12-9, 1.92 ERA) has fanned 155 batters. Iowa Valley boasts a pair of power threats in senior Grace Gunzenhauser and freshman Maddie Ray, who have seven home runs between them. The victor is likely to play at Springville (20-13) in Round 2 Wednesday.

Elkader Central (8-12) at Lansing Kee (16-14)

Class 1A Region 7

Kee High earned a share of the Upper Iowa Conference championship (with Turkey Valley). The Hawks have won 23 of the last 24 meetings with Central, including a sweep June 22 by verdicts of 8-4 and 18-1. Senior Reagan Mudderman isn’t a big girl, but packs a mighty punch. She has 19 extra-base hits, including six home runs, and is batting .513 with 47 runs. Central carries a four-game winning streak. The winner moves on to play at No. 15 Central City (31-6) in a second-round game Wednesday.

BGM (5-16) at Springville (20-13)

Class 1A Region 6

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Springville is the best area team assigned to play on opening night, and the Orioles are a dangerous outfit that owns a split with No. 3 Lisbon, a one-run loss to top-ranked North Linn and a pair of 4-3 defeats to No. 15 Central City. There are proven winners on this roster who have experienced state-tournament competition regularly in volleyball and basketball. One of them, senior Morgan Nachazel, has poked five home runs and leads the Orioles with 27 RBIs. Juniors Ashlynne Zaruba and Nia Howard have combined for 64 stolen bases. With a win, the Orioles would host Iowa Valley or Belle Plaine in the second round Wednesday.

Midland (9-26) at Edgewood-Colesburg (13-17)

Class 1A Region 7

Here are two teams steeled by Tri-Rivers Conference competition, though their records won’t wow you. Ed-Co captured a pair of wins against the Eagles in the regular season, 16-5 and 9-3, June 7. Both teams have some offensive capability, averaging about five runs apiece. Midland senior Allison Paulsen is “doubles trouble” for opponents; she leads the state with 24 two-base hits. Ed-Co scores more with speed than power; senior Ella Aulwes has stolen 36 bases without being caught. The winner goes to Calamus-Wheatland (16-16) for a second-rounder Wednesday.