Wednesday’s best: 5 area Iowa high school softball regional games to watch (July 9, 2025)

This, historically, has been Lisbon’s time to shine.

Seven straight years, the Lions have made the 3-hour voyage for the state softball tournament.

That’s not the only streak on the line.

Lisbon (24-12) takes a nine-game win string into its Class 2A regional quarterfinal with Northeast (18-13). First pitch is 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bob Bunting Field.

Here are five of Wednesday’s best 2A and 1A regional-quarterfinal matchups involving area teams:

Northeast (18-13) at No. 8 Lisbon (24-12)

Class 2A Region 5

These former conference rivals squared off June 18, with Lisbon scoring the tie-breaking run in the sixth inning and prevailing, 6-5. Both teams tied for fifth in Class 2A at the 2024 state tourney. The Tri-Rivers Conference East Division champion, Lisbon brings back eight starters from last year’s squad, including freshman pitcher Kyla Kahl (14-6, 3.64 ERA). Eighth-grader Alexis Jensen leads the team in hitting (.479) and RBIs (27). Northeast carries a five-game win streak, including a 4-1 first-round win over Iowa City Regina.

Grundy Center (17-10) at Alburnett (25-11)

Class 2A Region 5

Do you suppose Alburnett will be stoked for this one? The Pirates were a regional favorite last year, and were sidelined prematurely ... by Grundy Center in the regional quarterfinals. Alburnett lost much of its lineup since that upset, but returned pitchers Katelynn Bowler (13-8, 1.44 ERA) and Ingrid Landa (12-3, 2.19), both of whom are juniors. Grundy Center won the North Iowa Cedar League West Division behind eighth-grade pitcher Macey Kiewiet (11-5, 1.48). The Spartans hit only one home run all season.

Bellevue Marquette (20-14) at Maquoketa Valley (22-12)

Class 2A Region 7

Expect some runs, maybe a lot of them. In a Tri-Rivers Conference doubleheader split June 10, these teams combined for 39 runs. Maquoketa Valley is in the midst of its winningest season since 2017; Marquette hasn’t won this many games since 2016. Freshman Audra Burbridge leads the Wildcats in hitting (.406), with three home runs, 32 runs and 30 RBIs. Junior pitcher Kallie Freiburger has amassed a 13-2 record, 0.95 ERA and 151 strikeouts. Marquette’s Amber Kremer and Gwen Schroeder have combined for 15 homers.

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Highland (14-9) at North Linn (21-18)

Class 1A Region 4

For the past five years, North Linn’s Mackenzie Bridgewater has been the ultimate pest on the basepaths. This season, she is hitting .454 with 53 runs, and has stolen 43 bases without getting caught once. She’s a senior on a team full of promising youngsters. The Lynx started 13-3 before that youth caught up with them somewhat. Highland advanced with an 8-0 first-round win over English Valleys, its fifth straight win and third consecutive shutout. Senior Lilly Barre is the team leader in home runs (five) and RBIs (24).

Calamus-Wheatland (20-15) at Central City (25-13)

Class 1A Region 5

Central City swept the two regular-season games by verdicts of 1-0 (June 23) and 9-5 (July 1). Senior Addison Gralund has emerged as the Wildcats’ pitching ace; she is 16-7 with 224 strikeouts. Calamus-Wheatland has blanked its last three opponents, including a 7-0 first-round win over Easton Valley. The Warriors have a pair of power threats in junior Haley Green (7 HR, 35 RBIs) and senior Delaney Engler (.411, 4 HR, 35 RBIs).

Wednesday’s complete area schedule

CLASS 2A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(All games 7 p.m.)

Region 5

West Branch (10-15) at No. 5 Durant (18-12)

Grundy Center (17-10) at Alburnett (25-11)

Northeast (18-13) at No. 8 Lisbon (24-12)

Hudson (17-15) at No. 14 Jesup (24-10)

Region 7

Denver (15-15) at No. 10 Dyersville Beckman (19-15)

South Winneshiek (19-18) at North Butler (15-11)

MFL MarMac (8-25) at No. 11 Cascade (17-9)

Bellevue Marquette (20-14) at Maquoketa Valley (22-12)

CLASS 1A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(All games 7 p.m.)

Region 1

Moravia (11-25) at No. 1 Wayne (22-2)

Keota (11-8) at Sigourney (17-7)

Pekin (8-19) at No. 14 Seymour (19-4)

Wapello (14-12) at Fort Madison Holy Trinity (19-7)

Region 2

Saint Ansgar (10-18) at No. 2 Clarksville (14-11)

West Central (8-16) at Janesville (14-11)

Rockford (10-12) at Lansing Kee (26-11)

North Iowa (7-13) at Riceville (18-13)

Region 4

Iowa Valley (12-11) at No. 4 Southeast Warren (16-5)

Melcher-Dallas (9-11) at HLV-TC (18-6)

Hillcrest Academy (13-14) at BGM (17-6)

Highland (14-9) at North Linn (21-18)

Region 5

Starmont (7-21) at No. 3 Wapsie Valley (26-4)

Calamus-Wheatland (20-15) at Central City (25-13)

Springville (15-18) at No. 8 Edgewood-Colesburg (31-7)

Don Bosco (19-13) at No. 15 Lone Tree (15-6)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com