Shades of 2007? Huskies hope so

Carrie Wieland sees the similarities.

'You look at our 2007 (state-championship) team, and you look at this team, and they're a lot alike,” said Wieland, head softball coach at Highland.

'The camaraderie is the same. But the thing I really notice is how both teams really feel like nobody can beat them.”

And, for more than a month, nobody has.

The Huskies (28-1) enter the Class 2A postseason fray Wednesday with a 21-game winning streak. The only team that has nicked them? Mighty Solon, on June 7.

Highland hosts the winner of Tuesday's Van Buren-Pekin first-round battle. First pitch is 7 p.m.

Tournaments continue Wednesday in 2A and 1A. Highland is the area's best hope in the two smallest classes to reach the state tournament, July 21-25 in Fort Dodge.

The Huskies are one of the state's most potent teams, averaging 9.7 runs per game. Four players have driven in more than 30 runs, led by Bailey Walsh's 38.

Sophomore Cheyann Adamson is hitting .584 with 45 runs and 36 RBIs.

'The thing I like about this team is that they're not just softball players. They're all-around athletes that do a lot of other sports,” Wieland said.

Katie Springer (24-1, 1.34 ERA) has handled the pitching duties more than capably. The junior has struck out 166 batters in 141 innings, walking just 17.

'The defense has been strong behind her. They're always in the game; there's no lull time,” Wieland said.

Highland is a heavy favorite in Region 5. The 2A Region 4 field contains No. 7 Durant (26-10), No. 14 North Cedar (18-12), No. 15 Alburnett (23-12) and 2013 state qualifier Iowa City Regina (20-17).

The top area 1A contests are a pair of Tri-Rivers Conference matchups - Springville (21-15) travels to No. 11 Bellevue Marquette (31-6) while Lisbon (21-14) hosts Calamus-Wheatland (22-14).

WEDNESDAY'S CLASS 2A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(All games 7 p.m.)

Region 3

Aplington-Parkersburg/South Hardin winner at Central Springs

Grundy Center/Dike-New Hartford winner at North Butler

Nashua-Plainfield/South Winneshiek winner at Denver

Wapsie Valley/MFL MarMac winner at Sumner-Fredericksburg

Region 4

Bellevue/Cascade winner at Durant

Maquoketa Valley/Clayton Ridge winner at North Cedar

West Branch/Wilton winner at Iowa City Regina

North Linn/Edgewood-Colesburg winner at Alburnett

Region 5

Van Buren/Pekin winner at Highland

Danville/Columbus Jct. winner at Wapello

BGM/Cardinal winner at Pella Christian

Iowa Valley/Jesup winner at North Tama

WEDNESDAY'S CLASS 1A REGIONAL QUARTERFINALS

(All games 7 p.m.)

Region 2

North Iowa at Mason City Newman

Clarksville at Rockford

Elkader Central at Lansing Kee

Riceville at Turkey Valley

Region 3

Latimer CAL at Ackley AGWSR

Grandview Park Baptist at Colo-Nesco

Don Bosco at Janesville

Central City at Dunkerton

Region 4

New London at WACO

Winfield-Mount Union at Lone Tree

Springville at Bellevue Marquette

Calamus-Wheatlan at Lisbon

Region 5

Southeast Warren at Lynnville-Sully

Montezuma at Twin Cedars

Belle Plaine at Sigourney

HLV at North Mahaska

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