Solon, Alburnett open at No. 1

Solon and Alburnett are the top-ranked teams in their respective classes in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's first softball rankings, released Friday.

The Class 4A runner-up last year, Solon is down to 3A and leads a pack of veteran teams.

Solon returns seven starters from a team that went 39-3 last season, Jim White's second after departing from Clear Creek Amana. Included is senior pitcher Emily Ira, who posted a 23-2 mark last year. Ira was a first-team all-stater last year, as was Taylor Nearad.

White entered the season with a career mark of 889-125, including 80-7 at Solon.

The Spartans started with a sweep at Vinton-Shellsburg on Thursday.

Alburnett was 28-13 last season and placed fifth in the 2A field last year. Seven starters return, including both pitchers — Cassidy Henle and Amber Porter, along with first-team all-staters Taylor Huber and Maddie Volesky.

Coach Kevin Johnson guided the Pirates to state titles in 1999 and 2005. Alburnett won its first four games this week.

The other top-rated teams are Johnston (Class 5A), Fort Dodge (4A) and Woodbury Central (1A).

Johnston is the defending big-school champion and brings back junior pitcher Haylee Towers (25-0 last season). Waukee is No. 2, followed by Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The J-Hawks were 35-8 and seventh at state last year and brings back a stellar battery in seniors Alyssa Olson and Maddie Hansen. Iowa City West is No. 6 after a 29-10 campaign last year and an impressive 4-0 start this year.

Fort Dodge was upset in the 4A regional finals last year by LeMars, which opens at No. 3. Norwalk is second.

Solon leads a strong 3A area contingent. Center Point-Urbana starts at No. 2 after posting a 29-11 record and a sixth-place finish last year. That team started six freshmen and an eighth-grader.

Benton Community (37-5) is No. 3, Mid-Prairie (27-11) No. 6. The Golden Hawks upset the Bobcats in the regional finals last year, and went on to finish fifth at state.

Alburnett is followed by Highland in 2A. The Huskies were 32-3 and fourth at state a year ago. Iowa City Regina (21-18) is No. 6.

Woodbury Central is down a class after third in 2A last year and gets the nod for the top spot over defending champ Akron-Westfield, which went 38-0. Lansing Kee (34-10) was the 1A runner-up last year and starts at No. 3.

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