Jeff Linder

Class 5A 10th-ranked Liberty proved more adept at manufacturing runs and swept 13th-ranked Cedar Rapids Prairie 8-2 and 5-0 in a Mississippi Valley Conference softball doubleheader.

Frank Howell, who coached Cedar Rapids Washington girls’ basketball through “a golden age,” died Friday at age 52.

Even with new faces, Iowa City High and Cedar Rapids Kennedy still put on a show when they collide in softball. The Cougars swept on Thursday with 5-3 and 5-4 wins.

Makenna Hughes’ 11th-inning home run sent Williamsburg past Clear Creek Amana in the first game of a Wamac Conference softball doubleheader split.

The Gazette-area softball Super Ten rankings, through games played Tuesday, June 7. West Liberty jumped in at No. 4 this week.

Softball notebook: Patient and powerful, Cedar Rapids Prairie’s Alexis Barden is an offensive force. She’s among the state leaders in a variety of offensive categories.

Girls’ basketball coach Josh Bentley is leaving Cedar Rapids Prairie, accepting the principal post at Anamosa High School.

Jenna Sprague’s two-out hit in the seventh lifted 3A No. 2 Mount Vernon past No. 3 Williamsburg in the opener of a softball doubleheader, then her strikeout nailed down a Game 2 save, and a sweep.

Iowa City Liberty’s bats stayed hot (12 hits in each game) in a softball sweep of Iowa City West.

Handcuffed by Sigourney ace Carly Goodwin through four innings, Belle Plaine struck in the fifth and earned a 3-2 SICL softball victory.

Prep softball notes: Mike Morrison’s “interim” season at Iowa City Liberty is anything but a throwaway summer. The Lightning are scoring more than 11 runs per game and have started 9-1.

Prep softball: Area Super Ten and standings (June 1)

Stephanie (Rich) Dacey will return to Iowa and coach girls’ basketball at Williamsburg. She was Miss Iowa Basketball 2001 at Washington (Iowa), where she won three state championships.

Duanna Coyle stepped in to save a softball doubleheader split for Cedar Rapids Xavier against Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

College softball: Former Iowa City High star Ayana Lindsey plays a supporting role in Northwestern’s run to the Women’s College World Series.