Two Pirate pitchers, one big decision

It's a luxury. And it's a dilemma.

Alburnett has a veteran all-state pitcher in Jacqueline Naeve. And a rising star in eighth-grader Cassidy Henle.

Who gets the call when regionals begin?

"I don't know," Pirates Coach Marv Porter said. "It's been weighing on my mind the last three or four days."

He's got an extra day for self-debate.

The softball postseason kicks off Wednesday with Class 1A first-rounders. Alburnett (26-13) is one of a handful of teams with first-round byes, and the Pirates open at home Thursday against East Buchanan or Springville.

Those teams play Wednesday.

"We beat them both (in the regular season), but that doesn't mean anything," Porter said.

So, who will pitch?

Naeve (12-11) "has a good crossover curve, a screwball and a little riseball," Porter said, while Henle (14-2) counters "with a good riseball, a drop and a change."

Henle is one of a number of promising youngsters at Alburnett. Six sophomores and four freshmen figure prominently.

No. 4 Preston is the favorite in Region 3 while No. 7 Don Bosco is the team to beat in Region 4. Sixth-ranked North Mahaska and No. 9 Lynnville-Sully headline Region 5.

Class 2A regionals open Thursday while 3A and 4A tournaments start Saturday. Regional finals are next Wednesday in all classes.