Iowa high school softball 2023: Gazette area teams to watch

Iowa City Regina players hold up the state-championship trophy after defeating Wilton, 6-4, during the Class 2A state final last year at Fort Dodge. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

Eight area teams to watch for the 2023 Iowa high school softball season:

Cedar Rapids Kennedy

Coach: Maddison LeClere (7th year, 185-46)

2022 record: 24-16 overall, 21-9 MVC (2nd, Valley Division)

2022 postseason: Class 5A regional semifinalist

Returning starters (6): P Lily Knutson (fr.), C Addy Alber (sr.), 2B Ainsley Rulli (sr.), SS Lilea Prahm (sr.), LF Addison Schmitz (jr.), DH Ella Brown (soph.)

Cedar Rapids Xavier

Coach: Nikki Gahring (11th year, 235-155)

2022 record: 21-19 overall, 15-15 MVC (T-3rd, Valley Division)

2022 postseason: Class 4A regional semifinalist

Returning starters (8): P Braylen Conlon (soph.), C Katie Pilcher (soph.), 1B Taylor Kadolph (soph.), 3B Duanna Coyle (sr.), SS Carley Jonker (soph.), LF Alaina Luerkens (soph.), RF Annabelle Neal (jr.), DH Elena Schmit (jr.)

Iowa City Regina

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Coach: Angela Kessler (3rd year, 44-24)

2022 record: 24-11 overall, 8-5 River Valley South (5th)

2022 postseason: Class 2A state champion

Returning starters (9): C Courtney Kessler (sr.), 1B/P Jillian Panther (sr.), 2B Alli Clark (jr.), 3B Laci Chambliss (soph.), SS Gabby Sueppel (jr.), LF Morgan Gahan (jr.), CF Dani Laughlin (sr.), RF Avery Kies (jr.), DH Kennedy Connor (soph.)

Lisbon

Coach: Bob Bunting (54th year, 1,289-652)

2022 record: 35-6 overall, 20-2 Tri-Rivers (1st, East Division)

2022 postseason: Class 1A state tournament, T-7th

Returning starters (8): P Ryleigh Allgood (sr.), C Blair Baltes (sr.), 1B Ella Clark (sr.), 3B Chloe Clausen (jr.), SS Peyton Robinson (sr.), LF Addi Petersen (jr.), CF Gabi Moehlman (sr.), RF Kali Nelson (sr.)

Linn-Mar

Coach: Lindsey Murray (5th year, 96-44)

2022 record: 36-6 overall, 28-2 MVC (1st, Mississippi Division)

2022 postseason: Class 5A state tournament, T-7th

Returning starters (5): P Jordyn Beck (sr.), C Madi Wells (sr.), CF Grace McCarty (sr.), RF Kaylee Bunn (jr.), P/DH Emily Koranda (soph.)

Mount Vernon

Coach: Robin Brand (12th year at Mount Vernon, 289-128; 16th year overall)

2022 record: 36-4 overall, 21-1 Wamac (1st, East Division)

2022 postseason: Class 3A state champion

Returning starters (4): C Kenna Rollinger (jr.), 1B Kameron Brand (sr.), 2B Addison Gookin (jr.), 3B Lilly See (sr.)

North Linn

Coach: Chad Spore (3rd year, 74-16)

2022 record: 33-10 overall, 21-1 Tri-Rivers (1st, West Division)

2022 postseason: Class 1A state qualifier, 4th place

Returning starters (4): P Ellie Flanagan (sr.), 2B Kenzie Bridgewater (soph.), SS Skylar Benesh (jr.), DH Kylie Munson (soph.)

Williamsburg

Coach: Adam Berte (7th year, 167-74)

2022 record: 34-11 overall, 18-4 Wamac (T-1st, West Division)

2022 postseason: Class 3A state qualifier, 3rd place

Returning starters (9): P Peyton Driscoll (sr.), C Jenna Thurm (sr.), 1B Elle Ridgeway (sr.), 2B Rylie Metz (sr.), 3B Makenna Hughes (soph.), SS/P Carly Rich (soph.), CF Shannon Finn (jr.), RF Baylie Von Ahsen (soph.), DH/P Jersey Metz (fr.)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com