K.J. Pilcher

The Iowa high school baseball season opens competition Monday. Here are 16 Gazette area players to keep an eye on this season.

Here is a look at eight Gazette-area teams to watch for the 2024 Iowa high school baseball season. The first day of competition is Monday.

Kirkwood’s softball team left no doubt in its quest to return to the NJCAA Division II World Series. The Eagles hammered Southeast (Neb.) Community College, 15-1 and 8-0, to win the best-of-3 series and advance to the national championships.

Top-seeded Coe used solid pitching and a four-run third inning to scratch out a 6-4 win over Loras in its opening game of the American Rivers Conference baseball tournament Thursday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

Jackson Payne is direct and unafraid to discuss his path of hurt and heartbreak that includes injuries that derailed his University of Iowa career, the deaths of a close friend and his grandfather weeks apart and the uncertainty before he called Kirkwood Coach Todd Rima for another shot at college baseball.

After all the time on the baseball diamond playing games, pitching in the bullpen, fielding groundballs, tracking down flyballs and taking cuts in batting practice, Coe’s baseball team can still be found hanging out together.

Cedar Rapids Washington increased its advantage in Mississippi Valley Conference girls’ golf divisional play Tuesday. The Warriors shot 321 Tuesday at Irv Warren Memorial in Waterloo to double their lead over Western Dubuque.

Top-seeded Kirkwood won three straight elimination games, including back-to-back victories over Iowa Central to win the NJCAA Region 11-A championship. The Eagles advance to a district tournament series May 10-11 at home.

Ashley Smith filled the leadoff spots in high school and for travel club teams. After a year of getting acclimated to college softball, she’s back in that role for Mount Mercy.

Cornell baseball coach Robbie Dombrowski challenged Kale Rose in the offseason to become more of a leader. He has responded and the versatile contributor has helped the Rams contend for a postseason berth.

Joel Vaske spent the fall working a full-time job, helping on his family’s farm and coaching high school football. His competitive nature led him back to Mount Mercy for one last baseball season.

In The Gazette’s weekly Iowa high school golf notebook: Vinton-Shellsburg’s success has come at a good time, the IHSAA postseason begins next week and the Western Dubuque girls lead Class 4A in combined adjusted average.

Schedule conflicts have prevented the Cedar Rapids Washington girls’ golf team from fielding its best lineup. The Warriors were at full strength Monday for the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet at Ellis Golf Course and rolled to the team title.

Seventh-ranked Kirkwood hosted No. 8 DMACC in an NJCAA softball doubleheader Wednesday at Kirkwood. The Eagles and Bears split the twinbill and both games were decided in extra innings.

Kirkwood didn’t have a baseball field when John Lewis started at the school. Now, the diamond is named after the Hall of Fame baseball coach. The program revealed the new name during a doubleheader sweep Wednesday against Southeastern.