K.J. Pilcher

Isaac and Lincoln Stensland have accompanied their dad, Ryan, to the state baseball tournament in the past. They will all make the trip again, but this time Ryan will be coaching Alburnett and the twin freshmen are reserves for Lisbon.

The Gazette predicts semifinalists and champions for the 2021 state baseball tournament.

Six Gazette-area teams will contend for state baseball titles this week. Marion will make its third straight Class 3A appearance. Cedar Rapids Xavier (3A) and Alburnett (1A) return after a year hiatus. Cedar Rapids Prairie (4A), Lisbon (1A) and Lansing Kee (1A) also return.

There was no thriller this time for state baseball-bound Cedar Rapids Xavier. The Saints were in control in a 6-3 win over Solon.

Lisbon scored in every inning and topped Maquoketa Valley, 9-2, in the Class 1A Substate 3 title Tuesday night at Solon. The Lions will make their eighth state appearance and first since a runner-up finish in 2018.

Linn-Mar used a four-run sixth inning and held off a late rally to beat Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 8-7, in a Class 4A Substate 4 semifinal. The Lions have won seven of their last nine games, including two one-run postseason victories.

Maquoketa Valley received a strong performance from starter Tony Offerman and a timely single from Nathan Beitz to score Preston Roling for a 1-0 district baseball final win over No. 2 North Linn.

Iowa City High erupted for eight runs in the second inning and cruised to a 9-0 victory over Davenport North in a Class 4A Substate 6 opener at Mercer Park.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy Coach Bret Hoyer and Cougars senior Braden Hoyer have fond memories of their time together in the Kennedy baseball program. They have balanced the father/son and coach/player dynamic and begin their final postseason.

Cascade’s Eli Green pitched six scoreless innings and the Cougars took an early lead with a four-run first to beat Anamosa, 7-0, in a Class 2A District 9 semifinal.

Iowa City Regina was expected to open postseason play at Mediapolis. The Regals was asked to host when the Mediapolis field was unplayable. They won their final home game and reached the district semifinals with a 6-2 victory over West Burlington.

The 4-sport athlete from Iowa City West has met a high bar set by his family.

Shane Neighbor has been a pillar at catcher for Alburnett. The senior has started 94 straight games behind the plate. He led the Pirates with three hits in the postseason opener against Springville.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy junior Dylan Davis ranks among the state’s best in home runs, RBIs and total bases. He remains more concerned about helping the team than personal stats.

The Warriors have reached the state baseball tournament each of the last two seasons. They open a tough postseason field against Edgewood-Colesburg.