J-Hawks, Saints chase MVC titles

The Mississippi Valley Conference softball races approach their conclusion. Meanwhile, the postseason beckons for the smallest schools.

Class 1A regionals kick off Monday, while Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Cedar Rapids Xavier look to put a bow on MVC divisional championships.

Jefferson (30-5 overall, 21-3 MVC) already has a portion of the Mississippi Division title in its pocket. The J-Hawks travel to Iowa City West (27-8, 19-5), needing a split with the Women of Troy to win it outright. A West sweep would create a tie for the title.

In the Valley Division, Xavier (28-6, 19-3) holds a three-game lead in the loss column on Cedar Rapids Prairie (24-10, 18-6) with four games to play. The Saints can clinch the title with two more wins - they host Cedar Rapids Washington on Monday, then travel to Waterloo West on Tuesday.

The majority of the top-end 1A teams earned first-round byes and don't play until Wednesday's regional quarterfinals. Springville (20-15) is an exception; the Orioles host Midland at 7 p.m. Monday.

Class 2A first-round games and Class 3A quarterfinals are Tuesday; 4A and 5A teams get started Thursday.

MONDAY'S CLASS 1A REGIONAL FIRST ROUND

(7 p.m. unless noted)

Region 2

North Iowa at Northwood-Kensett (winner at Mason City Newman on Wednesday)

Tripoli at Clarksville (winner at Rockford on Wednesday)

Starmont at Elkader Central (winner at Lansing Kee on Wednesday)

Postville at Riceville (winner at Turkey Valley on Wednesday)

Region 3

Garwin GMG vs. Latimer CAL, 5:30 p.m. at McCallsburg (winner at Ackley AGWSR on Wednesday)

Southeast Webster at Colo-Nesco, 7:30 p.m. (winner vs. Grandview Park Baptist at McCallsburg on Wednesday)

Don Bosco at East Buchanan (winner at Janesville on Wednesday)

West Central at Dunkerton (winner vs. Central City at Dunkerton on Wednesday)

Region 4

Harmony at WACO (winner vs. New London at Wayland on Wednesday)

Winfield-Mount Union at Iowa Mennonite (winner at Lone Tree on Wednesday)

Midland at Springville (winner at Bellevue Marquette on Wednesday)

Easton Valley at Calamus-Wheatland (winner at Lisbon on Wednesday)

Region 5

Southeast Warren at Melcher-Dallas (winner at Lynnville-Sully on Wednesday)

Tri-County at Montezuma (winner at Twin Cedars on Wednesday)

English Valleys at Belle Plaine (winner at Sigourney on Wednesday)

Keota at HLV (winner at North Mahaska on Wednesday)

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@sourcemedia.net