Softball preview

CLASS 2A

Class 2A softball regional pairings and capsules (all games today at 7 p.m.)

*Records and statistics indicate most recent available

Region 5 (Vinton)

Who: Bellevue Comets (18-11, 8-2 Big East) at Monticello Panthers (20-18, 9-9 Tri-Rivers)

Players to watch: Bellevue - Mackinsy Budde, Jr., C; Caley Medinger, So., P. Monticello - Kelsie Etten, So., IF; Taylor Oswald, So., P.

Previous meeting(s): They split a doubleheader June 2

Key stat: Bellevue missed a shot at the Big East title just two weeks ago, losing to eventual conference champ Lisbon 2-0.

Region 6 (Kalona/Mid-Prairie)

Who: North Cedar Knights (8-21, 3-9 Cedar Valley) at No. 12 Iowa City Regina Regals (18-11, 10-3 Cedar Valley)

Players to watch: North Cedar - Kori Jackson, Sr., P; Steph Russell, Sr., Util. Iowa City Regina - Katie Feuerbach, Sr., P; Julia Hunter, So., IF.

Previous meeting(s): IC Regina pounded North Cedar 14-1 on June 8, and again 11-3 on June 25.

Key stat: Russell was third-team all-state in 2008.

Who: Camanche Indians (0-24, 0-10 Big East) at Northeast Rebels (14-15, 4-6 Big East) at Goose Lake

Players to watch: Camanche - Courtney Harksen, Jr., IF.; Heather Kibler, Fr., P. Northeast - Danika Loots, Jr., C; Audrey Moehr, Sr., P.

Previous meeting(s): Northeast won the only matchup 8-3 on June 15.

Key stat: The Rebels led the Big East with 54 extra-base hits in 2009.

Who: Tipton Tigers (2-28, 1-13 Cedar Valley) at West Branch Bears (15-16, 6-8 Cedar Valley)

Players to watch: Tipton - Jaden Compton, Fr., C; Taylor Doermann, Fr., P. West Branch - Sonja Holmes, Sr., P; Anna T atman, Jr., OF.

Previous meeting(s): West Branch took a 2-0 decision June 3, and an 11-0 win July 1

Key stat: Tipton has scored more than two runs three times this season (2-1), including victories over West Liberty and Camanche in the last 10 days.

Region 7 (Mount Pleasant)

Who: West Liberty Belles (7-20, 2-11 Cedar Valley) at No. 13 Wilton Beavers (27-5, 12-1 Cedar Valley)

Players to watch: West Liberty - Emily Christensen, Sr., P; Taylor Feldman, Sr., OF. Wilton - Rachel Brisker, Jr., P; Avery Carter, Fr., OF.

Previous meeting(s): Wilton knocked off West Liberty 9-1 on June 4, and earned the season sweep 6-1 on June 24.

Key stat: The Beavers lost their first game of the season to Pleasant Valley 3-1.

Who: Louisa-Muscatine Falcons (9-9, 6-2 SEISC) at No. 7 Durant Wildcats (26-6, 10-3 Cedar Valley)

Players to watch: Louisa-Muscatine - Bailie Bonnichsen, Sr., IF; Jordyn Schaper, Jr., P. Durant - Kassie Krummel, Sr., P; Jenny Paulson, So., C.

Previous meeting(s): Durant defeated L-M 4-1 on June 5; then Durant won 10-0 a at the North Scott tournament.

Key stat: Krummel needs two strikeouts to make 1,000 for her career.

Who: Columbus Wildcats (2-24, 1-17 SEISC) at Wapello Arrows (5-18, 4-11 SEISC)

Players to watch: Columbus - Mackenzie Griffin, Fr., IF; Janessa Townsley, Sr., P. Wapello - Brooke Hammond, Jr., IF; Emily McAtee, So., P.

Previous meeting(s): Wapello was victorious 7-2 in the season opener May 28, and squeaked out a closer one 2-1 July 1.

Key stat: McAtee allowed just three runs in 14 innings against the Wildcats this season.

Regional quarterfinals: Friday

Regional semifinals: Monday

Regional finals: July 15

State tournament: July 20-24, Rogers Sports Complex, Fort Dodge, Iowa