Iowa high school softball 2020: Gazette area teams to watch

Area softball teams to watch for the 2020 season, which begins Monday:

Anamosa

2019 record: 31-5 overall, 16-3 River Valley (1st, North Division)

2019 postseason: Class 3A regional finalist

Coach: Brad Holub (2nd year, 31-5)

Returning starters: P Kalli Minger, sr., 1B/P Emily Watters, fr., 3B Maggie McQuillen, sr., SS Ellie Tallman, sr., LF Autumn Kirby, sr., CF Grace Lubben, jr., RF Delaney Frater, jr., OF Kiley Chapman, jr., DH/1B Lexi Bright, jr.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy

2019 record: 37-4 overall, 29-1 MVC (1st, Valley Division)

2019 postseason: Class 5A state tournament, T-7th place

Coach: Maddison LeClere (4th year, 107-18)

Returning starters: P/1B Kaylin Kinney, sr., P Jayme Scheck, jr., C Abby Spore, sr., 1B Mary Krystofiak, sr., 2B Sam Scheck, jr., 3B Reegan Deputy, sr., SS Alyssa Martin, sr., LF Lizzy Dennis, sr., CF Addie Parker, jr., RF Addy Alber, fr., UT Carlee Smith, sr., DH Izzy Wright, sr.

Cedar Rapids Prairie

2019 record: 29-12 overall, 21-9 MVC (2nd, Mississippi Division)

2019 postseason: Class 5A regional finalist

Coach: Alisha Frese (1st year at Prairie, 0-0; 17th year overall, 431-253)

Returning starters: C Jensyn Jones, soph., 1B Amaya Snyder, jr., 3B Alexis Barden, soph., LF Grace Ironside, jr., CF Miranda Farr, jr., RF Gabby Robinson, sr.

Iowa City High

2019 record: 36-8 overall, 27-3 MVC (1st, Mississippi Division)

2019 postseason: Class 5A state tournament, 3rd place

Coach: Jeff Koenig (6th year, 103-110)

Returning starters: P/SS Ayana Lindsey, jr., C Carey Koenig, jr., 1B/P Ella Cook, jr., 2B Keli Potter, sr., SS/1B Brooke Bormann, sr., 3B Makayla Ribble, sr., LF Sydney Fellows, sr.

Iowa City Liberty

2019 record: 21-22 overall, 15-15 MVC (6th, Valley Division)

2019 postseason: Class 4A regional finalist

Coach: Jeff Kelley (3rd year at Liberty, 39-45; 192-103 overall at high school level)

Returning starters: P Kara Maiers, jr., P Kinsley Robertson, soph., C Tiffany Jones, jr., 1B Miranda Jones, jr., 2B Addie Schmierer, jr., 3B Courtney Olson, sr., SS Raquel Trolliet, jr., LF Ella McLaughlin, soph., CF Brylee Klosterman, sr., RF Ashlyn Geasland, jr., DH/2B Mallory Jones, soph.

Mount Vernon

2019 record: 27-13 overall, 19-7 Wamac (T-4th, East Division)

2019 postseason: Class 3A state tournament, T-7th place

Coach: Robin Brand (9th year at Mount Vernon, 201-118; 13th year overall)

Returning starters: C Mandy Morrical, sr., 1B Summer Brand, sr., 2B Caitlin Babcock, sr., 3B Maia Bentley, soph., LF Nadia Telecky, soph., CF Lauren Ryan, jr.

North Linn

2019 record: 42-4 overall, 24-0 Tri-Rivers (1st)

2019 postseason: Class 2A state champion

Coach: Marv Porter (3rd year at North Linn, 80-9; 8th year overall, 224-76)

Returning starters: P Abby Flanagan, sr., C Grace Flanagan, sr., 2B Ellie Flanagan, fr., 3B Natalie Gallery, sr., SS Jill Smith, soph., LF Kaitlyn Sommerfelt, jr., CF Hannah Bridgewater, sr., RF Olivia Rauch, jr., DH Jenna Lemley, soph.

West Delaware

2019 record: 31-12 overall, 20-6 Wamac (2nd, East Division)

2019 postseason: Class 4A state tournament, 4th place

Coach: Tiffany Rave (6th year at West Delaware, 138-69; 10th year overall, 246-117)

Returning starters: P Macey Kleitsch, sr., C Leah Wegmann, sr., 2B Heather Heims, jr., 3B Ella Koloc, soph., OF Kayla Felton, soph., OF Eve Wedewer, jr., OF Eva Winn, jr.

West Liberty

2019 record: 30-6 overall, 17-2 River Valley (1st, South Division)

2019 postseason: Class 3A state tournament, 3rd place

Coach: Chad Libby (3rd year, 54-17)

Returning starters: P/LF Janey Gingerich, jr., C Austyn Crees, sr., 1B/DH Ellen Carow, soph., 2B Sailor Hall, soph., 3B Finley Hall, fr., SS Haylee Lehman, sr., RF Brittney Harned, sr., 1B/DH Isabel Morrison, jr.

Williamsburg

2019 record: 31-12 overall, 20-6 Wamac (1st, West Division)

2019 postseason: Class 3A regional finalist

Coach: Adam Berte (4th year, 75-47)

Returning starters: P Peyton Driscoll, fr., C Carly Campbell, jr., 1B Elle Ridgeway, fr., 2B Aubray Walters, sr., 3B Jill Holub, sr., SS/P Charley Geguzis, sr., CF Charlotte Wetjen, jr., RF Megan Lamparek, jr.

Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com