Huskies chase after another state tourney berth

Highland’s softball team faces a challenge.

The Huskies (15-6), with a starting lineup that includes just one senior, aren’t backing down.

If the Huskies make it to a second consecutive state tournament later this month in Fort Dodge, they may need to defeat the defending state champion and No. 2-ranked team, Clarksville, in order to reach Fort Dodge.

“I think we got a really good draw,” said Highland head coach Carrie Wieland.

Highland has already knocked off a team that was ranked No. 1 in Iowa, Louisa-Muscatine, a Southeast Iowa Super Conference North team that is in Class 2A. The Huskies defeated Louisa-Muscatine in a walk-off 6-5 win June 26, helping them clinch a share of the SEISC North title.

The Huskies won’t have to play a game in the opening round of the 1A tournament, which begins Monday. Instead, Highland earned a bye and will host Belle Plaine (11-11) or Iowa Valley (7-16) in the Region 1 quarterfinals Wednesday.

If Highland and Clarksville both win in the quarterfinals and semifinals, they would meet for a regional title and state tournament berth July 13 in Clarksville.

Lone Tree (12-9) also drew a first-round bye and will host Dunkerton (11-15) or Janesville (8-17) in the Region 1 quarterfinals.

Hillcrest Academy (8-17) plays at HLV-TC (13-10) in Monday’s opening round. With a win, the Ravens would play at Don Bosco (20-14) on July 8.

Mid-Prairie (9-15) opens play in the 3A tournament July 9 at Fairfield (15-17). A win would send the Golden Hawks to a Region 8 semifinal game at 12^th-ranked Centerville (17-6) or Mediapolis (14-10) on July 11. The title game is set for July 14, possibly at No. 1 seed and River Valley South rival West Liberty (16-12) on July 14.

Regional winners advance to the state tournament, which begins July 20 in Fort Dodge.

Highland won its last eight games a year ago to get to Fort Dodge. Their win over 2A third-ranked Louisa-Muscatine was their seventh straight, but just the second win over the Falcons in 19 attempts. Freshman pitcher Jillian Stransky, who was also the team’s starter last year, has struck out 122 in 18 pitching starts, and ranks second in the SEISC North in wins (13) and earned-run average (1.85). Kamryn Fink, who ran on the school’s state finalist 4x100-meter squad, is among the league leaders in stolen bases (18).

“I think they’re getting to the point, they know they’re one of the best teams in the state,” Wieland said.

REGIONAL PAIRINGS

3A REGION 8

Quarterfinals

July 9 (7 p.m.)

Mid-Prairie at Fairfield

Mediapolis at Centerville

Washington at Davis County

Central Lee at No. 1 West Liberty

1A REGION 1

Round 1

July 6 (7 p.m.)

Hillcrest at HLV

Iowa Valley at Belle Plaine

Dunkerton at Janesville

English Valleys at Montezuma

Quarterfinals

July 8 (7 p.m.)

Belle Plaine or Iowa Valley at Highland

Hillcrest or HLV at Don Bosco

Janesville or Dunkerton at Lone Tree

Montezuma or English Valleys at No. 1 Clarksville