K.J. Pilcher

Linn-Mar and Cedar Rapids Washington are among the programs that have played well to close the regular season and will try to continue that in the Iowa high school baseball playoffs. Teams from across the state will begin the Class 3A and 4A substate competition with first-round games Friday.

Matt Morrison, James Morris and Derrick Loveless were key components of a successful Solon stretch, amassing eight state team championships with three more runner-up finishes in five sports from 2006 through 2011. They were named Gazette Athletes of the Year in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Six teams from the Mississippi Valley Conference landed in the final Class 4A and 3A Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings with two more receiving votes.

Few fathers and sons can match the athletic success of Marv and Drew Cook. The Cooks are still the only father-son combo to be named The Gazette’s Athlete of the Year.

Freshman Mason Bechen has made an impact on the North Linn baseball team since he stepped into the lineup as an eighth grader.

Iowa City West baseball coach Charlie Stumpff is in his 30th season leading the Trojans. Former West players turned out to honor the baseball skipper, who ranks sixth all-time in Iowa history with 12 summer state tournament appearances.

Highland contended for a Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division title again and was on the cusp of the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association top 10 in Class 1A. The Huskies are ready to peak for the postseason.

Independence’s Mitch Johnson has experienced a power surge recently. The Mustangs junior has hit nine home runs in as many days and ranks among the state leaders with 11 total.

This week’s Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings feature the final polls of the season for 1A and 2A with the postseason approaching. In 4A, Cedar Rapids Prairie made a jump to No. 2.

The Gazette takes a look at some of the area Iowa high school baseball results from last week and upcoming games of interest this week.

Western Dubuque’s offense dictated the outcome in the opener. Iowa City High answered with strong pitching and a better approach at the plate to win Game 2 and earn a split.

Solon’s Kinnick Pusteoska belted four doubles and finished with five hits and six RBIs in two wins over Mount Vernon.

Class 2A fifth-ranked Dyersville Beckman jumped to an early lead, but 3A No. 5 Cedar Rapids Xavier battled back to force extra innings. The Blazers plated a run in the ninth for an 8-7 victory.

For the second straight season, Decorah’s Keenan Tyler has produced a dominant season at the plate. He stayed perched atop Class 3A with a .571 average before Wednesday’s home game.

Iowa City High and Cedar Rapids Prairie combined to go 10-0 last week and each moved up four spots in the latest Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Class 4A rankings.