Wednesday’s best: 5 area Iowa high school softball regional games to watch (July 10, 2024)

The postseason trail begins Wednesday for area small-school softball big shots.

You’ve got Iowa City Regina, the two-time defending champion in Class 2A. The Regals are 19-12 and ranked No. 7 in 2A.

You’ve got reigning 1A champion North Linn (26-13), ranked ninth in the 1A field. The Lynx are pursuing their sixth straight state appearance.

There’s Lisbon (24-11), rated ninth in 2A. The Lions are chasing their seventh consecutive trip to Fort Dodge.

There’s 1A No. 6 Sigourney (20-7), led by ace pitcher Carly Goodwin.

And there’s Alburnett (29-6), the area’s brightest 2A/1A light at No. 2 in 2A.

None of those teams are expected to be seriously challenged yet, not in this round.

But there are some quality matchups. Here are five of Wednesday’s best:

Maquoketa Valley (16-13) at No. 15 Jesup (22-8)

Class 2A Region 7

Jesup enters the postseason on the high of a seven-game win streak and rides the potent bats of freshman Kylie Herget-Miller (.504, 43 runs, 38 RBIs) and sophomore Hayden Kresser (.495, 26 extra-base hits, 58 RBIs). They’ll take their swings against a quality pitcher in Maquoketa Valley sophomore Kallie Freiburger (11-5, 1.65 ERA). The Wildcats have lost eight of 11, but seven of those eight defeats have been by two runs or less.

South Winneshiek (22-12) at No. 14 Wapsie Valley (22-8)

Class 2A Region 7

Upper Iowa Conference champion South Winneshiek breezed past Postville in four innings, 12-0, in the first round. That makes 10 wins in the last 11 games for the Warriors. Sophomore Addison Timp is hitting .525 with 40 runs, and her 25 walks is a major factor in an on-base rate of .621. South Winn edged Wapsie Valley, 5-3, on May 29. Wapsie has won 12 of its last 14, averaging 9.4 runs in that span. Six different players in the Wapsie attack have at least 20 RBIs.

Cascade (16-10) at Wilton (17-14)

Class 2A Region 8

It’s a battle between River Valley Conference inter-division foes that have not played since 2022. Cascade is the North Division runner-up (behind Northeast). Senior Claudia Noonan (.438) has scored 30 runs; sophomore Addison Frake (.430) has knocked in 28. Wilton finished fourth in the competitive River Valley South and is led offensively by senior Catie Hook (.506, seven home runs), who leads the team in both runs (36) and RBIs (29).

Lansing Kee (20-18) at Central City (28-12)

Class 1A Region 7

These teams collide in the postseason for the second time in three years (Central City prevailed in 2022). The Wildcats have won eight of their last nine games. They have a team batting average of .396, with five starters over .400, led by senior Belle Whitson (.508, team-high 45 runs). Sophomore pitcher Avery Wise (25-7, 2.17 ERA) has struck out 218. Despite a varsity roster of 10, Kee finished second in the Upper Iowa Conference. Soph Addison Winters is batting .500 with five home runs, 51 runs and an 11-9 pitching record.

Highland (18-8) at Calamus-Wheatland (21-15)

Class 1A Region 8

Highland has won eight of its last nine games, and hasn’t lost to an unranked opponent since June 12. The primary reason is pitching and defense; the Huskies have allowed 10 runs in their recent 8-1 spree. Senior Grace Prybil is 14-3 and sports a 1.24 ERA. Senior Sarah Burton has scored 46 runs and stolen 35 bases. Calamus-Wheatland has some offensive pop; three players have hit seven home runs apiece. Senior Emily Boeckmann is hitting .463 with 53 RBIs.

Wednesday’s complete area schedule

CLASS 2A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(All games 7 p.m.)

Region 4

Woodward-Granger (11-12) at No. 7 Iowa City Regina (19-12)

Madrid (11-24) at Ogden (14-18)

Panorama (8-21) at No. 6 East Marshall (29-4)

Manson-NW Webster (11-13) at Carroll Kuemper (16-13)

Region 6

Grundy Center (11-17) at No. 2 Alburnett (29-6)

South Hardin (16-11) at West Fork (14-7)

Belmond-Klemme (11-14) at Hudson (24-9)

Aplington-Parkersburg (10-12) at Dike-New Hartford (19-9)

Region 7

Denver (14-17) at No. 8 Lisbon (24-12)

Maquoketa Valley (16-13) at No. 15 Jesup (22-8)

South Winneshiek (22-12) at No. 14 Wapsie Valley (22-8)

Central Springs (18-9) at Osage (21-8)

Region 8

Bellevue Marquette (8-21) at No. 3 Northeast (24-7)

Cascade (16-10) at Wilton (17-14)

Columbus Community (8-21) at No. 10 Louisa-Muscatine (29-4)

Dyersville Beckman (14-14) at No. 11 Durant (20-15)

CLASS 1A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(7 p.m. unless noted)

Region 5

North Mahaska (11-12) at No. 7 Southeast Warren (20-2)

Murray (21-6) vs. Montezuma (21-6), 5 p.m., at Pleasantville

Janesville (11-14) at No. 13 Clarksville (18-9)

Conrad BCLUW (14-16) at BGM (13-9)

Region 7

Starmont (3-21) at No. 9 North Linn (26-13)

Lansing Kee (20-18) at Central City (28-12)

West Central (9-14) at No. 12 Edgewood-Colesburg (26-10)

East Buchanan (10-15) at Don Bosco (18-9)

Region 8

Iowa Valley (11-13) at No. 6 Sigourney (20-7)

Highland (18-8) at Calamus-Wheatland (21-15)

Wapello (18-13) at English Valleys (15-4)

Springville (10-22) at HLV (16-5)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com