The class 1A semifinals highlight tonight’s action at the state softball tournament in Fort Dodge. Top ranked Akron-Westfield hopes to avoid being another in a string of upset victims by Madrid.
The Westerners opened with a convincing win over North Mahaska and now face a Tiger squad that finished the regular season below 500 but opened the tournament with a victory over number six Don Bosco. The other 1A semifinal matches second rated Charter Oak-Ute against number 12 Newell-Fonda. This will be their third meeting in the last two seasons.
Action begins with the opening round in class 4A. Top ranked Des Moines East takes a 42-5 record into a matchup with Bettendorf. Tenth ranked Cedar Rapids Jefferson makes a 16th appearance at state under veteran coach Larry Niemeyer and will take on a Fort Dodge team hoping to end a string of frustration.
The Dodgers are making their fifth strait appearance in the tournament but they lost in the first round the past four years. The defending champion is West Des Moines Valley. The Tigers are ranked second and take a 44-4 record into a matchup with Southeast Polk. Rounding out the action in 4A, third rated Linn-Mar tangles with Davenport West.