June 19, 2018 By Chris Varney
In case you had not noticed, the softball season is winding down — there is just 2 more weeks in the regular season for Class 1A, 2A and 3A teams. Some of the bigger schools will play some games in the first week of July but for the most part, these next 2 weeks will determine conference champions and teams will finish their final tinkering to get ready and make a run for Ft. Dodge.
That being said, there are some match-ups to watch in the next couple of weeks that should be entertaining. Here they are:
Wednesday, June 20: Lynnville Sully at North Mahaska
Don’t look now but the Hawks of Lynnville-Sully are back atop of the South Iowa Cedar League. They are tied with Belle Plaine for the best record and they lead their division currently by 2 1/2 games over North Mahaska. But do not count out the Warhawks. The team from New Sharon have won 10 of their last 12 games. Five of their 6 losses have been by 4 runs or less including a 7-5 loss to Lynnville Sully in their first game back in May. In that game, Freshman Madison McKay started and went 4 innings before giving way to Emma Deucore with a 5-4 lead — Deucore gave up 3 runs in the bottom of the 5th and L-S won 7-5. This will be a crucial game for North Mahaska because they have road tests with Colfax Mingo, BGM, and Montezuma afterwards. A win for the Hawks and they will likely have a stranglehold on the SICL West Division. And — by the way — they are rivals.
Thursday, June 21: AGWSR @ East Marshall
Jary Hoskey has the Mustangs back on a road to Ft. Dodge but before the regionals arrive comes the business about winning the North Iowa Cedar League. If both teams do not lose before and after this game, this will determine the NICL West champ. East Marshall lost up in Ackley 5-2 back on June 6. The Cougars scored 3 runs in the first inning in that game, built a 5-0 lead and held on from there. My guess is that in LeGrand, East Marshall does not let that happen. Kodie Hoskey is pitching much better since then. Junior Madison Farrington is crushing the ball (.493, 5 HR, 26 RBI) and the ‘Stangs have not lost in the conference since.
Friday, June 22: Pella Christian @ Grinnell DH
OK, Grinnell is struggling but if the Tigers want to win a Little Hawkeye Conference game this year, this might be their best chance. The Eagles beat GHS 3-2 at their joint thanks to some poor defense from Grinnell. The Eagles faced Lydia Roudabush but my guess is that Meredith McKnight will get the start here. A little bit of a different look and if McKnight can throw strikes, Grinnell will be motivated to play well on their home field. It will be a busy week for Grinnell, which plays every single day so that could be a factor. But Megan Doty and Kiana Kies do not want to go through the conference slate winless. PC does not have overpowering pitching so this is the time the Tigers can get a breakthrough.
Monday, June 25: Independence @ Benton DH
The Bobcats had a slow start but they are starting to pick up momentum in the WaMaC West. Benton is 15-9 and ranked 13th in Class 2A. After losing 2 early games to Western Dubuque, the ‘Cats have just one more conference loss (2-1 to Williamsburg). Independence is tough — the Mustangs are 23-2 and ranked 2nd in Class 4A. Indy features a junior pitcher Mackenzie Hupke with an ERA under 1. Benton, though, is built for offense. Shelby Hulsebus is hitting .651 and has 27 stolen bases. Angie Gorkow and Grace Martensen have a lot of power — 9 and 8 HR respectably. If the Bobcats can good pitching from either Martensen or Katelyn Buscher, they will have a chance to give Independence a scare on their home field and not allow them to just cruise to a division title.
Wednesday, June 27: Belle Plaine @ Sigourney
This could determine the SICL Championship. The Lady Plainsmen currently lead the Savages by a half game in the SICL East and are tied for the best record with Lynnville Sully, which is in the SICL West. If the Hawks stumble, then the winner of this game will decide the conference. Belle Plaine lost 13-6 earlier in the season — Katie Cubbage allowed 12 runs, 7 earned on 12 hits. My guess is that she wants another crack at the tough Sigourney line-up. This will be the final regular season game for both (barring rain out make ups) and it will be a great game.
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