Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Rankings: Iowa City Regina approaches postseason ranked No. 8 in Class 2A

IOWA CITY – Iowa City Regina Coach Mark Roering has almost come full circle.

He was a college senior and upstart assistant coach when he joined the Regals staff for a state runner-up season in 1994. After a notable coaching career, including the last 10 seasons with West Des Moines Dowling, Roering has returned to lead Regina’s baseball program.

“It was just perfect timing,” Roering said. “My kids are graduating high school. My wife and I decided to take on the challenge. We love the Iowa City area. One thing led to another and after 30 years later here I am.”

Regina has developed from a sub-.500 team to a 19-4 record, entering River Valley Conference South Division doubleheader Monday against Mid-Prairie. The Regals are eighth in the final Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 2A rankings released Monday. They are the lone Gazette-area team in the 2A poll.

“A big turnaround,” said Roering, who started this season with 326 career victories. “The kids have great chemistry. We have four senior leaders and six sophomores, who are starting. The future is looking awesome.”

Roering coached Pat Gavin, Ed Wallace and Brett Hoffman and now coach their sons, including Jack Gavin and Tate Wallace on the Regals’ varsity. They helped lure him back to Regina.

“Many moons had past,” Roering said. “I’ve got three former players that have kids on my team, right now. They were instrumental in checking in with me every few years when an opening came up.”

Regina ranks third in 2A with a .961 fielding percentage and fifth with just 70 runs allowed. The Regals have the second-fewest errors committed. They have emphasized defense and pitching.

“We’re picking it and playing clean,” Roering said. “The early struggle was getting our pitchers to attack the zone. Get people out. They (opponents) will get themselves out. Throw strikes. We’ve really started to turn a corner there.”

Regina is third in 1A with 48 doubles. The Regals own a .318 team batting average, scoring almost seven runs per game. Five have 22 hits or better this season, including a team-high 28 from Jack Gavin. Connor Nicpon leads the team with 26 runs, while Trey Streb has 27 hits and 22 runs.

“Offensively, we have a nice lineup from top to bottom,” Roering said. “It seems like every night someone is having a big night. Everyone is contributing.”

Senior shortstop Nicpon has been a strong all-around leader for the Regals. Not only has he produced good offensive numbers, but he also was 4-0 with a 1.52 earned-run average before an expected start Monday.

“Nicpon has just been a sparkplug for us,” Roering said. “Since we put him in the leadoff spot, he’s just got us rolling. He plays a tremendous shortstop for us.”

Roering was quick to praise his staff, including assistants Steven Christopherson and Andrew Meister. He has been able to share the experience with his son, Zach, who coached lower-level teams for him at Dowling. Zach is a member of the Air Force and makes the trek from Waukee to help with the program.

“That’s been a blessing he’s been able to be here,” Roering said. “He’s cut from the same cloth as me. It’s been a great summer. We’re having a blast.

All top-ranked teams remained the same from last week. Pleasant Valley (4A), Dubuque Wahlert (3A), Underwood (2A) and Remsen St. Mary’s (1A) are No. 1.

In Class 4A, Iowa City Liberty is the highest-ranked area team. The Lightning moved to fourth, while Iowa City High and Cedar Rapids Prairie are seventh and eighth, respectively.

Marion holds its spot at No. 3 in 3A with Benton Community moving up to sixth. Sigourney remains at No. 2 in the final 1A rankings. The Savages are joined by No. 5 North Linn and No. 9 Lansing Kee.

IOWA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

COACHES ASSOCIATION RANKINGS

(Record in parentheses)

Week 7 (June 30)

CLASS 4A

1. Pleasant Valley, 2. Sioux City East, 3. Waukee Northwest, 4. Iowa City Liberty, 5. Johnston, 6. Iowa City High, 7. C.R. Prairie, 8. Waukee, 9. Ankeny Centennial, 10. Indianola

Others receiving votes (alphabetical order): Ames, C.R. Kennedy, Fort Dodge, Sioux City North, West Des Moines Valley

CLASS 3A

1. Dubuque Wahlert, 2. Pella, 3. Marion, 4. Ballard, 5. Sioux City Heelan, 6. Benton Community, 7. Carlisle, 8. Saydel, 9. MOC-Floyd Valley, 10. Sergeant Bluff-Luton

Others receiving votes (alphabetical order): Algona, Boone, C.R. Xavier, Davenport Assumption, Western Dubuque

CLASS 2A

1. Underwood, 2. Pleasantville, 3. Van Meter, 4. Unity Christian, 5. Mediapolis, 6. Chariton, 7. West Lyon, 8. Iowa City Regina, 9. Grundy Center, 10. Sumner-Fredericksburg

Others receiving votes (alphabetical order): Bellevue Marquette, Forest City, New Hampton, Spirit Lake, West Marshall

CLASS 1A

1. Remsen St. Mary’s, 2. Sigourney, 3. Lynnville-Sully, 4. Coon Rapids-Bayard, 5. North Linn, 6. Saint Ansgar, 7. Martensdale-St. Marys, 8. Don Bosco, 9. Lansing Kee, 10. Mason City Newman

Others receiving votes (alphabetical order): Bedford, East Buchanan, Logan-Magnolia, MMCRU, Moravia

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com