Hit by graduation, Regina landed on its feet

Graduation wasn't kind to Iowa City Regina.The Regals lost their pitcher and catcher from a 2009 team that finished third in the state. They lost their 3, 4, 5 and 6 batters.But they haven't fallen far. Maybe they haven't slipped at all.Regina carries a 23-9 record and a No. 5 ranking into the postseason; the Regals open Class 2A regional play at home Thursday against North Linn (13-18)."We started out really, really strong," said Regals Coach Jon Prottsman. "Our pitching (from Sara Kron and Mallory Dixon) has been very decent. All we ask is that they throw strikes and move the ball around."Officials at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union had to be creative in carving up the power in east-central Iowa, where four of the top six 2A teams reside."There are four very good teams, pretty close together," Prottsman said. "They had to separate a lot of good teams."Regina, the lone ranked team in Region 5, probably got the best draw.No. 4 Durant and No. 6 Mount Vernon appear to be on a collision course to meet in the Region 6 final. Durant (25-7) opens with Tipton; Mount Vernon (25-11) faces Maquoketa Valley. Both are at home.Mount Vernon is in the midst of mammoth success in girls' sports. The Mustangs are reigning 2A state champions in volleyball and basketball and joined Lisbon to claim the 3A track crown in May.In Region 7, No. 3 Wilton (26-3) is the favorite, but opens at home with a tricky matchup with perennial power Solon (18-14).Thursday's winners play again on Friday. Regional semifinals are Monday, regional finals are Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY'S CLASS 1A REGIONAL FIRST ROUND

Region 3Latimer CAL at Northeast HamiltonRockford at Mason City NewmanColo-Nesco at North TamaGarwin GMG at MadridNorthwood-Kensett at North IowaCorwith CWL at Crystal Lake WCLTArmstrong-Ringsted at Algona GarriganNorth Sentral Kossuth, bye

Region 4Lansing Kee at Valley CommunityPostville at Elkader Central (moved due to wet grounds at Postville)Central City at East BuchananWest Central at Don BoscoTripoli at RicevilleDunkerton vs. Janesville, 6 p.m., at AllisonCedar Falls NU High vs. Clarksville, 7:30 p.m., at AllisonNorth Butler, bye

Region 5Winfield-Mount Union at Lone Tree, ppd.WACO at Iowa Mennonite (moved due to wet grounds at Wayland)Highland at SpringvilleLisbon at AlburnettOlin at MidlandAndrew at Calamus-WheatlandBellevue Marquette at East CentralPreston, bye

Region 6New London at Fort Madison Holy TrinityHarmony at DanvilleEnglish Valleys at Tri-CountyKeota at North MahaskaGrandview Park Baptist at Des Moines ChristianMelcher-Dallas at Twin CedarsMontezuma at HLVLynnville-Sully, bye

THURSDAY'S CLASS 2A REGIONAL FIRST ROUND

(All games, 7 p.m.)

Region 5Wapsie Valley at Waterloo ColumbusHudson at JesupIowa Valley at Belle PlaineNorth Linn at Iowa City ReginaColfax-Mingo at BGMGladbrook-Reinbeck at East MarshallPella Christian at Monroe PCMEddyville-Blakesburg at Albia

Region 6Clayton Ridge at North FayetteStarmont at MFL MarMacEdgewood-Colesburg at MonticelloMaquoketa Valley at Mount VernonNortheast at BellevueDyersville Beckman at CascadeNorth Cedar at CamancheTipton at Durant

Region 7Solon at WiltonWest Liberty at West BranchWapello at Louisa-MuscatineColumbus Junction at Mid-PrairiePekin at SigourneyDavis County at CardinalVan Buren at West BurlingtonCentral Lee at Mediapolis

THURSDAY'S CLASS 1A REGIONAL FIRST ROUND

Region 5Winfield-Mount Union at Lone Tree