Class 1A, 2A softball teams set for run to state tournament beginning Wednesday

The Cardinal softball team will begin its trek through the Class 1A regional softball tournament in hopes of putting themselves into the state tournament.

After reaching the reginal final one season ago, the Comets have compiled a 19-12 record in 2009 ? a record that may be a little deceiving considering just one of those losses came against a 1A opponent. Unfortunately for Cardinal head coach Steph Christner, that lone loss was a 10-0 decision handed down by fourth-ranked New London ? a probable second round match up.

The Comets squeezed out a 6-4 come from behind victory over the 26-4 Tigers on June 18 before New London trounced Cardinal on June 24 in Eldon.

Before a potential match up with New London however, Cardinal must get past Danville ? a team that has played the Comets tough in two meetings this season. Cardinal came away with 6-3 and 7-6 victories vs. the Bears en route to a tie for first place in the SEISC south division.

WACO could also make some noise from the bottom half of the bracket, and unranked Lamoni enters as the favorite to make the regional final from the top half.

Class 2A tournament commences Thursday

After securing an SEISC north division championship and its whopping 28th win of the season on Monday, the Pekin softball team will enter postseason play with an opening round game Thursday at Eddyville-Blakesburg.

The struggling Rockets are 16-21 on the year, and if the Panthers advance, they would be set to take on the winner of Mid-Prairie and Sigourney ? two more teams also with losing records this season.

A potential semifinal match up against Albia wouldn?t do Pekin any favors however as Albia currently sports a No. 6 ranking and were rated as high as No. 2 in 2009. The 25-6 Lady Dees enter as the odds-on favorite to represent Region 7 in Fort Dodge with as they open up against Davis County and will have home field advantage until the regional final if they advance that far.

Van Buren will begin the tournament against SEISC south division foe Central Lee, which has beaten the Warriors in both previous meetings this year. With a win, the Warriors will have to take care of the same Albia team to keep their season alive.

26-6 Durant and 27-5 Wilton figure to make some noise on the bottom half of the Region 7 bracket.