Regional softball preview

Postseason softball action begins Monday, July 8 in Class 1A and 2A and first round games in 3A and 4A Thursday, July 11.

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All four Hometown Current area SICL teams are in the same region while Williamsburg owns the top seed in Class 3A Region 3.

Here is a look at the Hometown Current area teams first round matchups:

MONDAY, JULY 8: CLASS 1A REGION 8

IOWA VALLEY AT BELLE PLAINE

In any sport it is often said, it’s hard to beat a team three times in one season. That is what the Plainsmen will be up against in game three against the Tigers.

Belle Plaine won the previous matchups 12-7 and 7-3.

The Plainsmen have improved since the beginning of the season and have an 8-6 record in conference play following this week’s games.

On the season the Plainsmen have 67 RBIs; Jacey Reineke and Ava Grieder each have 13. Reineke has all the team’s three home runs this season.

As a team, Belle Plaine averages 6.5 runs and allows 7.8. From the mound, the Plainsmen have the duo of Izzy Sankot and Taylor Johnson, who have combined for 74 strikeouts.

The Tigers; biggest weapon is Lydia Kriegel from both the plate and the mound. Kriegel has been one of the most consistent hitters in the state this year.

The Tigers have had the most success this season when their other capable bats get going. Izzy Kriegel and Kennedy Rathjen both bring power when they’re able to make contact.

As a team, the Tigers average 5.8 runs per game and allow 6.6.

One of the biggest keys in this game will be which team can limit the number of errors.

FIRST ROUND BYES: ENGLISH VALLEYS, HLV

In reward for their successful seasons, both the Bears and Warriors have been given first round byes in the bottom part of the Region 8 bracket.

English Valleys will host the winner of Wapello and Hillcrest Academy Wednesday, July 10.

Both teams are in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference. Wapello won both regular season matchups by scores of 12-3 and 6-0, making them the favorites in this one.

English Valleys played both opponents earlier this year and defeated both by scores of 8-5 (Wapello) and 6-3 (Hillcrest Academy).

Kennedy Axmear has pitched all but one inning this year for the Bears, with 163 strikeouts, and leads the team in RBIs (31).

The Bears are batting .308 as a team and have the strength of many capable hitters at the plate, averaging 7.7 runs per game and allowing 4.4 following this week’s games.

The Warriors will host the winner of Lone Tree and Springville Wednesday, July 10. Lone Tree lost to HLV 4-3 earlier in the season.

Springville has played common opponents of Iowa Valley and Belle Plaine. The Orioles beat Belle Plaine 5-4 and split with Iowa Valley.

The Warriors average 10.3 runs per game and allow 6.4.

Hailey Jack has pitched the bulk of the load for the Warriors this season with 99 innings pitched. The team is batting .353, which ranks 8th in 1A. The Warriors have six players with 14 or more RBIs, led by Lily Randall’s 33.

If both the Warriors and Bears win their second-round games, they will duel in a matchup to head to the regional final.

THURSDAY JULY 11: CLASS 3A REGION 3

DAVIS COUNTY AT WILLIAMSBURG

The No. 1 ranked Raiders will be heavy favorites in this one and will look to advance to State to defend their State Championship from last season.

Davis County is 5-20 following this week’s games but did lose a close game, 6-3, to the No. 2 seed in the region, Chariton.

The Mustangs will most likely be using Lydia Barker on the mound. She has 95 strikeouts this season. Addison McClure leads the team in batting average (. 379) and hits (25).

As a team, the Mustangs average 4.9 runs per game and allow 7.9.

The Raiders average 7.2 runs per game and allow 3.6.

Jersey Metz will most likely get the call on the mound for the Raiders and will be backed up by a defense averaging less than one error a game and an aggressive offense with 184 stolen bases so far on the season through this week’s games.

Taylor Pitlick leads the team in hits (41) and RBIs (29).