ALBURNETT -- They manicured the field, then they shut out the lights -- possibly for the final time.But before that, the Alburnett Pirates made one final memorable moment on the old softball diamond in the middle of their small town.Jacqueline Naeve scattered eight hits, limiting ...

They were the heart and soul of a state-championship team.They posted astronomical numbers.And now, they are Class 3A co-state softball players of the year.Clear Creek Amana's Fran Strub and Caitlin Wnek are honored together by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association, which today releases its 2011 ...

FORT DODGE -- She almost closed it out with a spectacular catch.She gladly settled for the routine catch.In the end, the game ended how it should -- the ball nestled snugly and safely in Julia Hunter's glove.Hunter was named the all-tournament captain after 11th-ranked Iowa ...

By Rob GrayFORT DODGE — No panic.A little stress.One raucous celebration.Iowa City Regina pitcher Hannah Stein closed out a historic, white-knuckle 5-4 Class 2A state softball tournament semifinal win over No. 2 Bondurant-Farrar Thursday, helping her 11th-ranked team to its first championship game.“I was just ...

FORT DODGE -- She needed a triple for the cycle.She got more.Julia Hunter was 4-for-4 with two home runs and four RBIs, and 11th-ranked Iowa City Regina feasted on some shoddy defense by No. 3 Central Springs in a 9-4 Class 2A quarterfinal triumph at ...

Super-strong at the top. Better at the bottom.That's the Cedar Valley Conference, arguably the best Class 2A softball conference in the state."In the past, there were two or three teams in which you could pencil in a win," said Iowa City Regina Coach Jon Prottsman. "You ...

Graduation wasn't kind to Iowa City Regina.The Regals lost their pitcher and catcher from a 2009 team that finished third in the state. They lost their 3, 4, 5 and 6 batters.But they haven't fallen far. Maybe they haven't slipped at all.Regina carries a 23-9 ...

FORT DODGE — Iowa City Regina fell for the rise.Jamie Fisher quieted the Regals’ offense — which had been so potent through the postseason — and fifth-ranked Conrad BCLUW pushed across two runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat No. 12 Regina, ...