Xavier, Jefferson on brink of titles

The subject finally came up, Saturday at practice.An elusive prize stands squarely in front of the Xavier Saints."The kids have a chance to go out and make some Xavier history," said Saints Coach Nikki Price. "It's there for the kids to go out and take."The Mississippi Valley Conference softball season nears its conclusion, and both divisional races remain undecided.Cedar Rapids Xavier (26-11 overall, 18-6 MVC) holds a one-game advantage over Cedar Rapids Prairie (24-11, 17-7) in the Valley Division. In the Mississippi Division, Cedar Rapids Jefferson (28-10, 19-5) and Dubuque Senior (26-6, 17-5) are on pace to share the title if they both win out.In the MVC this year, though, there are no guarantees. No gimmes."There have been a lot of (double-header) splits, and it hasn't just been us," said Jefferson Coach Brian Erbe. "It seems everybody's capable of beating anybody."Xavier has never won a league title in softball. The Saints will if they earn at least a split Monday at Cedar Rapids Washington. Most years, that would be an easy feat, but not now.The Warriors  (14-22, 7-17) have won 12 of their last 17 games, including a surprising sweep Thursday at Dubuque Hempstead. Washington's 14 wins is more than number of victories (13) in the previous four years combined."They're playing really well right now," Price said. "They've got kids that can play defense, and they're playing with confidence."If the Warriors spring another surprise, that opens the door for Prairie, which hosts Hempstead (26-9, 16-8).Jefferson moved into first place in the Mississippi Division on Thursday when Iowa City West earned a split with Senior. Now, it's the J-Hawks needing a pair of victories against West (19-18, 15-9)."If we take care of business, we're guaranteed a tie," Erbe said. "(Monday is) Senior Night for us, and it will be an emotional night."Senior hosts Dubuque Wahlert (12-24, 5-19) Monday, then plays a makeup double-header Tuesday at Waterloo East (17-17, 10-12).The majority of the other area league races have been decided. The exception is the Wamac Conference West Division; Benton Community (30-4, 10-2) owns a title share, and wins it outright with at least a split Monday at home against Vinton-Shellsburg.Benton's last Wamac crown came in 1993.

TOURNAMENT TRAIL BEGINS MONDAYWhile the regular-season winds down for the big schools Monday, the postseason opens with Class 1A regional first-round games.Most of the top teams have first-round byes, including 11th-ranked Lisbon and No. 15 Sigourney. They begin action Wednesday.Regionals start Tuesday in classes 2A and 3A, Thursday in 4A and 5A.

CLASS 1A REGIONAL FIRST ROUND

(7 p.m. unless noted)

Region 3Latimer CAL at RockfordSoutheast Webster at Northeast HamiltonLansing Kee at Elkader CentralWest Central at JanesvilleRiceville at Turkey Valley

Region 4Calamus-Wheatland at SpringvilleCentral City at MidlandColo-Nesco at Grundy CenterMeskwaki Settlement at Dunkerton, 5:30 p.m.Garwin GMG at East Buchanan

Region 5BGM at MontezumaBelle Plaine at HLVLone Tree at Tri-CountyKeota at English Valleys