Prep Softball- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) released postseason brackets for all five classes. We will highlight our local teams and their matchups and provide a bit of insight. The first round will take place on July 8th at 7 pm for Classes 1A and 2A and July 11th for Classes 3A, 4A, and 5A.
Class 1A
Region six will feature most of our local teams, including some Southeast Iowa Super Conference rivals matched up in the opening round.
Renewing a heated rivalry, New London will be hosting Danville. The two played against one another at Danville with the Tigers fighting back with eight unanswered runs to win 9-5. Of their last ten matchups, New London has taken six.
The winner will move on to play Twin Cedars in a road game.
Players to Watch: Megan Lee (New London) and Alivia Bauer (Danville)
Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against the renewed program of WACO at home. The two teams have not played against one another since 2010 when the Warriors shut out the Crusaders 9-0.
Players to Watch: Natalie Wagner (WACO) and Emily Ross (Holy Trinity Catholic)
Winfield-Mt. Union will get to host their opening round matchup against Pekin. The two have split their season contests, the Wolves won their game 16-0 and Pekin took their game 6-4. In their last 12 games, Winfield-Mt. Union has won 10.
Players to Watch: Makiah Lower (W-MU) and Myah Bainbridge (Pekin)
The winners of WMU/Pekin and WACO/HTC will compete against one another for round two. The Crusaders hold the highest seed of the quartet.
Region eight will feature Highland taking on Keota and Wapello going against Hillcrest Academy in their opening round matchups.
Class 2A
Van Buren County won’t have to worry about a round one matchup as they will have to wait until July 10th to host Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont at 7 pm. The Rockets have won their past three matchups by a combined score of 26 to 3.
Players to Watch: Alicia Cumberland (VBC) and Lanie Batterson (EBF)
The top team of the bracket is #5 Cardinal.
Class 3A
Region three will have Fairfield competing against Albia in a road matchup at 7 pm. The two will compete on July 3rd in Albia as the Trojans won their past matchup in 2022, 7-1. In their past 10 matchups two teams have evenly split their contests.
Players to Watch: Laney Norris (Fairfield) and Grace Pence (Albia)
The winner of this game will face off against the winner between Mid-Prairie and Chariton in the semifinals.
Region Eight: West Burlington has experienced some time in the top 15, meaning Mediapolis will have a formidable opponent in their road first round matchup. The Bulldogs will be searching for their first victory over the Falcons since 2016 as West Burlington won their last matchup 12-0.
Players to Watch: Payton Harris (Mediapolis) and Logan Kelley (West Burlington)
The winner of this game will take on the winner between Assumption and Tipton.
In the bottom half of the bracket, #13 Washington will get to host Midland. The two have no prior games against one another.
Players to Watch: Leighton Salazar (Washington) and Mollie Ries (Midland)
The winner will face off against the winner between #14 Central Lee and Camanche at Central Lee. Similarly, the two have no previous contests against one another.
Players to Watch: Kenna Sandoval (Central Lee) and Kennady Bigwood (Camanche)
Class 4A
Region five will exhibit a Southeast Conference rivalry to start off the postseason between Fort Madison and Keokuk with the Bloodhounds playing host. Nevertheless, Keokuk has won both matchups thus far this season 9-7 and 7-4, ending the Bloodhounds 19-game winning streak.
Players to Watch: Gabrielle Ruble (Fort Madison) and Ada Wood (Keokuk)
The winner will hit the road to face off against Xavier on July 13th at 7 pm.
Lastly in region eight, Mt. Pleasant will travel to Central DeWitt in their first contest against one another since at least games started being archived online.
Players to Watch: Emma Starr (Mt. Pleasant) and Adalyn Appleby (Central DeWitt)
The winner will tango against #13 Burlington in Burlington on July 13th at 7 pm.
Stay tuned to KILJ to see who we will be broadcasting live.