The CIML Conference nearly advanced four teams to Wednesday’s Class 5A semifinals at the state softball tournament, which would have guaranteed an all-CIML final in Thursday’s championship.
The title game could still feature two teams from the CIML, but it will take a sizable upset in the second semifinal game.
Here’s a closer look at the two matchups:
No. 1 Valley (37-4) vs. No. 5 Ankeny (22-20): The Tigers have averaged 9.2 runs during their current 24-game winning streak and roughed up Ankeny for 23 runs in a doubleheader sweep on July 1, rolling to 16-4 and 7-3 victories. Mackenzie Mohler was the star of Valley’s 11-1 win over Cedar Rapids Prairie on Monday, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles and four RBIs. The Tigers have won seven state titles, six of them under coach Tom Bakey, and are two wins away from moving into sole possession of third place on the state’s all-time list. Ankeny owns the state record with 13 championships, but is seeking its first crown under coach Dave Bingham. The Hawkettes got a two-hit shutout from Abby Rusher in a 2-0 win over Waukee Northwest on Monday, but will likely need to score some more runs to have a chance against Valley’s potent attack. The Tigers have scored at least three runs in every game since dropping a 2-0 decision to Johnston on June 12.
No. 2 Pleasant Valley (38-3) vs. No. 6 Urbandale (23-18): Both of these teams are coming off wild wins in the quarterfinals. The Spartans needed a three-run rally in the bottom of the eighth inning to beat Waukee, 8-7. Urbandale, meanwhile, overcame an early 5-2 deficit and built a 10-6 lead before holding on for a 10-9 victory over Muscatine. It was the second straight upset for the J-Hawks, who placed seventh in the CIML with a 4-12 record but avenged two earlier losses to Johnston with a 5-1 win in the regional final. Can Urbandale continue its postseason magic? The J-Hawks will likely put some runs on the board, but Pleasant Valley is a team that can score in bunches behind Iowa State commits Jessie Clemons and Kasey Kane. Look for the Spartans to win another wild one and reach the final for the second straight year.
