1A/2A area softball bracket breakdown

What a summer it’s been for Union area 1A and 2A softball teams.

While there are no Union area teams representing at the 2023 state tournament in Fort Dodge this time around, there was still an abundance of great softball being played through the postseason.

With eight qualifiers now punching their ticket to state, it’s time to take a look back at the Union area brackets and the qualifiers that won out.

In Class 2A’s Region 7 Pekin, Cardinal and Van Buren County were all featured.

Cardinal led the way for the Union area as the Comets made it all the way to the regional semifinal.

After picking up a victory over West Branch, 4-1, to start the tournament, the Comets matchup with defending state champion No. 1 Iowa City Regina.

  Buy Photo

Cardinal led for over four innings in the game, but the Regals walked it off to win it, 3-2.

Regina punched it’s ticket to the state tournament once again after downing Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in the regional final, 6-1.

  Buy Photo

EBF advanced after wins over Pella Christian, 7-4, and Van Buren County, 4-1, and East Marshall, 4-2.

East Marshall was victorious over Colfax-Mingo, 6-4, prior to the matchup with EBF.

Van Buren County secured a first-round bye as the second seed.

VBC and EBF were knotted at 1-1 for four innings in their regional quarterfinal, but the Rockets scored three times in the final two innings to pull ahead.

As for Pekin, the Panthers picked up a monumental victory in their first round bout.

After not winning a game through the regular season, Pekin downed Tipton, 7-5, to notch its first win.

The Panthers then earned a matchup with Regina Catholic. The Regals came out on top 12-0.

In Class 1A’s Region 8, Sigourney was crowned the regional champion after a tight 2-1 victory over Twin Cedars.

Area teams, New London, Winfield-Mt. Union, Highland, Keota and Hillcrest Academy all competed in the bracket.

Highland made it the farthest out of the Union area, making it to regional quarterfinal against Wapello.

The Huskies downed Lone Tree, 9-3, to advance to the second round.

  Buy Photo

In what was their third matchup of the season against Wapello, it came right down to the wire.

Highland led Wapello 2-0 heading into the seventh inning, but the Arrows scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to walk it off, 3-2.

New London, Winfield-Mt. Union, Keota and Hillcrest Academy were all defeated in the first round.

New London fell to Holy Trinity Catholic, 10-5, in the opening round. The Tigers led 1-0 after the top of the first, but the Crusaders took the lead after the second and would never lose it.

Winfield-Mt. Union opened up tournament play against Wapello.

The Wolves and Arrows were knotted at 2-2 after one and a half innings of action, but Wapello pulled away with three runs in the bottom of the second for an eventual 12-2 win.

Keota was topped by Moravia, 12-0, in the opening round. The Mohawks scored 11 runs in the first two innings.

Hillcrest Academy was defeated by Tri-County, 10-0, to kick off the regional tournament. The Ravens trailed just 1-0 heading into the fourth, but the Trojans scored nine between the fourth and sixth.

  Buy Photo

Sigourney path to regional championship started with a 9-0 victory over Holy Trinity Catholic, 9-0.

The Savages then edged Wapello 2-0 in the semifinal before the final victory over Twin Cedars.

Twin Cedars defeated Moravia, 6-2, then topped Tri-County 5-4 to meet up with Sigourney.

Tri-County was a winner over English Valleys, 5-3, to earn a spot in the regional semifinal.

In Class 2A, regional champions and state qualifiers include, West Monona (Region 1), Missouri Valley (Region 2), Van Meter (Region 3), Interstate 35 (Region 4), Lisbon (Region 6), Regina Catholic (Region 7) and Northeast (Region 8).

Region 5’s championship match between Central Springs and Waterloo Columbus was suspended with Central Springs leading, 2-0. The game will be complete on Tuesday.

In Class 1A, qualifiers include Remsen St. Mary’s (Region 1), St. Edmond (Region 2), Southeast Warren (Region 3), Wayne (Region 4), Martensdale-St. Marys (Region 5), Clarksville (Region 6), North Linn (Region 7) and Sigourney (Region 8).

In 1A, tournament matchup will be No. 1 Martensdale-St. Marys vs. No. 8 Fort Dodge St. Edmond.

No. 4 Wayne vs. No. 5 Remsen St. Mary’s.

The bottom side of the bracket will be No. 2 North Linn vs. No. 7 Sigourney.

No. 3 Southeast Warren will take on No. 6 Clarksville.

The 2A bracket will be released following the completion of the Central Springs and Waterloo Columbus game.

The state tournament will take place between July 17-21. The full state tournament schedule can be found below.

2023 Iowa Girls State Softball Tournament Dates & Times

Monday, July 17

11 a.m. — Class 5A First Round — Kruger Seeds Field

11:30 a.m. — Class 5A First Round — Iowa Central Field

1 p.m. — Class 5A First Round — Kruger Seeds Field|

1:30 p.m. — Class 5A First Round — Iowa Central Field

3 p.m. — Class 4A First Round — Kruger Field

3:30 p.m. — Class 4A First Round — Iowa Central Field

4:30 p.m. — Class 4A First Round — Kruger Seeds Field

5 p.m. — Class 4A First Round — Iowa Central Field

7 p.m. — Class 3A First Round — Kruger Seeds Field

7:30 p.m. — Class 3A First Round — Iowa Central Field

Tuesday, July 18

11 a.m. — Class 3A First Round — Kruger Seeds Field

11 a.m. — Class 5A Consolation — Dodger Field

11:30 a.m. — Class 3A First Round — Iowa Central Field

11:30 a.m. — Class 5A Consolation — Veterans’ Field

1 p.m. — Class 2A First Round — Kruger Seeds Field

1 p.m. — Class 4A Consolation — Dodger Field

1:30 p.m. — Class 2A First Round — Iowa Central Field

1:30 p.m. — Class 4A Consolation — Veterans Field

3 p.m. — Class 2A First Round — Kruger Seeds Field

3 p.m. — Class 3A Consolation — Dodger Field

3:30 p.m. — Class 2A First Round — Iowa Central Field

5 p.m. — Class 1A First Round — Kruger Seeds Field

5:30 p.m. — Class 1A First Round — Iowa Central Field

7 p.m. — Class 1A First Round — Kruger Seeds Field

7:30 p.m. — Class 1A First Round — Iowa Central Diamond

Wednesday, July 19

11 a.m. — Class 5A Semifinals — Kruger Seeds Field

11 a.m. — Class 3A Consolation — Dodger Field

11:30 a.m. — Class 5A Semifinals — Iowa Central Field

11:30 a.m. — Class 2A Consolation — Veterans’ Field

1 p.m. — Class 4A Semifinals — Kruger Seeds Field

1 p.m. — Class 2A Consolation — Dodger Field

1:30 p.m. — Class 4A Semifinals — Iowa Central Field

1:30 p.m. — Class 1A Consolation — Veterans’ Field

3 p.m. — Class 3A Semifinals — Kruger Seeds Field

3 p.m. — Class 1A Consolation — Dodger Field

3:30 p.m. — Class 3A Semifinals — Iowa Central Field

5 p.m. — Class 2A Semifinals — Kruger Field

5:30 p.m. — Class 2A Semifinals — Iowa Central Field

7 p.m. — Class 1A Semifinals — Kruger Seeds Field

7:30 p.m. — Class 1A Semifinals — Iowa Central Field

Thursday, July 20

3:30 p.m. — Class 5A Third Place — Iowa Central Field

Jack North/100 Game Winners/Hall of Fame

5 p.m. — Class 5A Championship — Kruger Field

6 p.m. — Class 4A Third Place — Iowa Central Field

7:30 p.m. — Class 4A Championship — Kruger Field

Friday, July 21

1 p.m. — Class 3A Third Place — Iowa Central Field

2:30 p.m. — Class 3A Championship — Kruger Seeds Field

3:30 p.m. — Class 2A Third Place — Iowa Central Field

Golden Plaque Award Winner

5:00 p. m. — Class 2A Championship — Kruger Seeds Field

6 p.m. — Class 1A Third Place

7:30 p.m. — Class 1A Championship