Regional softball rundown

Find updated regional softball brackets at the Kansas State High School Activities Association website.

6A
East (Preview published Monday)
Mill Valley took fourth place in 5A last season, but now the Jaguars are one of the favorites to win it all in 6A. Mill Valley is the tournament’s overall No. 1 seed on the East side with a 16-1 record. The Jaguars, who average almost 11 runs scored per game while allowing just under four, will likely face Blue Valley Northwest (10-8) or Gardner-Edgerton (10-10) for a regional championship. Mill Valley is 4-1 in one-run games this season and went 0-2 against Blue Valley this year.

Speaking of Blue Valley (14-6) the Tigers are the No. 2 overall seed and are back for vengeance. Last season, Blue Valley went 21-1 in the regular season and earned the No. 1 seed at state. But the Tigers were upset in the first round by eventual state champions Lawrence Free State, 2-1. To make it back to state, Blue Valley will likely face Blue Valley West (12-8) or Shawnee Mission Northwest (10-10) in the regional championship.

Olathe North (15-5) made the state semifinals last year, but a return trip to state will likely have to go through two rivals. North will open regionals against Olathe East (6-14), while Olathe West (14-6) - the top scoring team in 6A at 10.75 per game - is expected to be waiting in the regional championship. Shawnee Mission East (10-10) could also throw a wrench into the equation. North and West split during the regular season in the season-opener. North won game one 8-5 and West won game two 10-0. North also split against Olathe South and defeated Shawnee Mission East, 10-0.

The final regional on the East side may also be the most competitive. Olathe South and Olathe Northwest are both 15-5 and looking to return to the state tournament. Northwest was the runner up in 6A last year, but only one team from this regional can advance to state. Neither team has an automatic berth to the regional championship, either. Shawnee Mission North (7-13) and Leavenworth (8-11) are both formidable first-round opponents.

Results:

Regional #1

Mill Valley defeated Blue Valley North 13-0

Olathe Northwest defeated Gardner-Edgerton 9-8

Championship: Mill Valley defeated Blue Valley Northwest 14-6 

Regional #2

Blue Valley defeated Shawnee Mission South 17-0

Blue Valley West defeated Shawnee Mission Northwest 5-1

Championship: Blue Valley defeated Blue Valley West 6-5

Regional #3

Olathe North defeated Olathe East 8-5

Olathe West defeated Shawnee Mission East 10-0

Championship: Olathe North defeated Olathe West 12-3

Regional #4

Olathe South defeated Shawnee Mission North 10-0

Olathe Northwest defeated Leavenworth 11-1

Championship: Olathe Northwest defeated Olathe South 3-2

West (Preview published Monday)
The only undefeated softball team in 6A will have to earn its spot at state. Assuming Washburn Rural (16-0) defeats its play-in opponent - Wichita West or Wichita Southeast, a pair of one-win teams - the Blues will face either Liberal (12-6) or Wichita North (10-7) in the regional championship. Washburn Rural went 19-6 and took third place at state last year.

Like Rural, defending state champions Lawrence Free State will have a challenging road to state. The Firebirds will face rival Lawrence (3-17) in the opening round before a likely matchup against Campus (14-6) will determine a regional champion. Free State is 18-2 this year with their two losses coming to undefeated Washburn Rural (5-2) and to Blue Valley Northwest (9-6).

Rural and Free State are dominant on defense with each allowing less than two runs per game.

Derby (14-2) and Dodge City (13-5) were both regional champions last year, and both teams are favored to square-off for a regional championship this year. Both teams were bounced in the first round of state in 2018 and are motivated to make a return trip and advance.

In the final regional on the West side, Topeka (14-3) and Garden City (13-3) are both worthy of a berth at state, but only one will qualify. Garden City is not too far removed from taking third at state back in 2017. Topeka will look to end a state drought similar to what they did in basketball. The Trojans are among the leaders in statewide scoring averaging 10 runs per game.

Results:

Regional #1

Washburn Rural defeated Wichita West 20-0

Wichita North defeated Liberal 4-2

Championship: Washburn Rural defeated Wichita North 15-0

Regional #2

Lawrence-Free State defeated Lawrence 11-0

Campus defeated Wichita East 15-0

Championship: Lawrence-Free State defeated Campus 1-0

Regional #3

Derby defeated Hutchinson 6-4

Dodge City defeated Manhattan 15-3

Championship: Derby defeated Dodge City 10-0

Regional #4

Topeka defeated Junction City 13-1

Garden City defeated Wichita South 17-0

Championship: Topeka defeated Garden City 8-4

5A
East (Preview published Monday)
Perennial power and two-time defending state champions Shawnee Heights is primed for a three-peat. Shawnee Heights didn’t lose a game the previous two seasons going 50-0. This year, the Thunderbirds are 17-1 and recently had a 66-game winning streak snapped at the hands of perennial power Bishop Carroll, 5-3. Heights rebounded in the second game of the doubleheader to avenge the loss 10-1. The T-Birds average over 13 runs scored per game and allow less than one. Topeka West (11-7) or Topeka-Seaman (8-8) will try and slow down the Thunderbirds.

Looking for its first state appearance since 2016, Blue Valley Southwest is the second overall seed on the East side after a 14-4 year. If BVSW makes it past Kansas City Turner (3-15) in the first round, a matchup against Ark City (10-6) or St. Thomas Aquinas (8-10) will decide a regional champion. St. Thomas Aquinas qualified for state last year.

Spring Hill (11-5) and Lansing (12-7) are the only two teams in their regional with winning records. Same can be said about Basehor Linwood (11-5) and Emporia (11-6). All eight teams in the two regionals were absent from the state tournament last year. Spring Hill did win a state championship in 4A-DI in 2017, however. Lansing’s record could be deceiving, their schedule included top 6A teams Blue Valley and Lawrence Free State and the Lions beat a quality Olathe North team 3-0 in April.

Results:

Regional #1

Shawnee Heights defeated De Soto 9-1

Topeka Seaman defeated Topeka West 4-2

Championship: Shawnee Heights defeated Topeka Seaman 10-0

Regional #2

Blue Valley Southwest defeated Kansas City Turner 16-1

Ark City defeated St. Thomas Aquinas 7-6 (9 innings)

Championship: Blue Valley Southwest defeated Ark City 5-0

Regional #3

Spring Hill defeated St. James Academy 11-1

Lansing defeated Kansas City Sumner Academy 15-0

Championship: Lansing defeated Spring Hill 6-1

Regional #4

Basehor-Linwood defeated Bonner Springs 9-1

Emporia defeated Pittsburg 14-0

Championship: Emporia defeated Basehor-Linwood 6-2

West (Preview published Monday)
Bishop Carroll went 22-3 last year and finished second at state to Shawnee Heights. The Golden Eagles are the No. 1 seed on the West side, and a state championship rematch between Bishop Carroll and Shawnee Heights is not out of the question. In order to do so, Carroll will have to get through a regional that features Maize (12-8) and Kapaun Mt. Carmel (10-7). Carroll averages over 14 runs scored per game and allows just 1.7.

Wichita Northwest (15-5) is enjoying a successful season but were swept by Carroll to finish second in the GWAL. In order to make it to state, Northwest will have to fight past Salina Central (4-14) and the winner of Great Bend (12-6) and Hays (8-8), WAC rivals that split a doubleheader in April.

Goddard (13-3) has made the 5A state tournament in three of the last four years, and the Lions are favored to make it four out of five. McPherson (4-12) in the first round and likely Salina South (13-5) in the championship look to stand in Goddard’s way.

Maize South is a returning state qualifier that finished 13-10 last season. The Mavericks are 16-4 this year and will face a 6-12 Newton team in the first round of regional play. Should South make it to the final they’ll face the winner of Goddard-Eisenhower (13-5) and Andover Central (6-10). Eisenhower, who was also bounced in the first round of state last year, delivered one of South’s four losses this season in a doubleheader split in mid-April.

Results:

Regional #1

Bishop Carroll defeated Andover 5-1 

Maize defeated Kapaun Mt. Carmel 11-10

Championship: Bishop Carroll defeated Maize 17-1

Regional #2

Wichita Northwest defeated Salina Central 16-1 (3 innings)

Great Bend defeated Hays 7-6 (8 innings)

Championship: Wichita Northwest defeated Great Bend 11-10

Regional #3

Goddard defeated McPherson 7-5

Salina South defeated Wichita Heights 15-0

Championship: Goddard defeated Salina South 2-1

Regional #4

Maize South defeated Newton 16-5

Goddard-Eisenhower defeated Andover Central 8-7

Championship: Maize South defeated Goddard-Eisenhower 8-7

4A
East (Preview published Monday)
All four No. 1 seeds on the East side have 13 wins. Independence is the top seed and will either face Bishop Miege (4-12) or Coffeyville (4-12) in the opening round. After that, Anderson County (10-7) or Fort Scott (11-8) awaits.

Ottawa is looking to end a state tournament drought of its own, and will likely face Louisburg (5-12) in the first round and Chanute (11-6) in the finals.

Kansas City Piper is once again a No. 1 seed at regionals. Last season, KC Piper entered state 20-2, but lost in the first round to eventual state champions Andover Central. In order to make it back to state, Piper will have to defeat Labette County (6-12) and the winner of Paola (12-6) and Atchison (7-7).

Either Eudora (13-5) or Tonganoxie (12-5) is expected to claim the final spot at state, but Iola (6-9) and Baldwin (7-10) aren’t pushovers.

Results:

Regional #1

Andale/Garden Plains defeated Chapman 15-0

Circle defeated Winfield 5-4

Championship: Andale/Garden Plains defeated Circle 12-0

Regional #2

Augusta defeated Ulysses 15-0

Topeka Hayden defeated Wellington 8-3

Championship: Augusta defeats Topeka Hayden 2-1

Regional #3

Clay Center defeated Nickerson 10-0

Clearwater defeated El Dorado 11-1

Championship: Clay Center defeats Clearwater 4-3

Regional #4

Wamego defeated Pratt 7-4

Rose Hill defeated Abilene 4-1

Championship: Rose Hill defeats Wamego 5-4

West (Preview published Monday)
Andale/Garden Plain (19-1) and Augusta (19-1) are 1A and 1B in 4A, but Andale is the overall No. 1 seed. The Indians will face Winfield (11-9) or Circle (10-10) in the championship if they can survive the upset bid of the winner of a play-in game between Chapman and Buhler.

Augusta is also 19-1 on the year. Both Augusta and Andale delivered each other their lone loss of the season in a doubleheader. The Orioles will face the winner of the Ulysses (5-13)/Mulvane (0-18) play-in game in the first round. Don’t let Topeka-Hayden’s record fool you though, among their seven losses are competitive games with large class powers Washburn Rural and Shawnee Heights. The Wildcats also swept 3A power Silver Lake. Wellington (7-11) features future DI softball players in Jacelyn Buck and Amber McCorkle but a lack of depth may leave them outmatched against a Hayden team battled tested by their Centennial League schedule.

Clay Center is in the midst of a stellar season, but stats may tell the story for this team. The Tigers are 13-1 with their lone loss coming to Rock Creek on April 26. The Tigers rely on defense allowing 2.64 runs per game, the third best average in class 4A. But they don’t quite measure-up when it comes to offense averaging 6.79 runs scored per game, the 12th best average in the 18 team West Regional. Nickerson will try to deliver Clay Center’s second loss of the season after losing 9 of their last 11 games this season. Clearwater (13-7) and El Dorado (7-11) face-off in the other first found match-up. The two teams split a doubleheader in a pair of one-run games in early April.

Pratt (15-3) will have to go through Wamego (5-13) and likely Rose Hill (14-6) to make it to state. The Greenbacks losses are to Larned, Hoisington/Central Plains and Kingman/Norwich, the latter in a 21-10 scoring fest last Friday. Pratt rebounded with a 5-4 win over the Eagles to close out the regular season with a win against one of top teams in 3A. Rose Hill closed the season with nine straight wins scoring at least eight runs in all nine games. Abilene (7-12) will need to find some offense to knock off the Rockets after averaging just 4.79 run scored per game this season.

Results:

Regional #1

Independence defeated Coffeyville 10-1

Anderson County defeated Fort Scott 8-1

Championship: Anderson County defeated Independence 3-1

Regional #2

Louisburg defefated Ottawa 9-7

Chanute defeated Osawatomie 9-1

Championship: Louisburg defeated Chanute 6-5

Regional #3

Kansas City Piper defeated Labette County 7-6

Paola defeated Atchison 15-0

Championship: Paola defeated Kansas City Piper 10-6 

Regional #4

Eudora defeated Iola 1-0

Tonganoxie defeated Baldwin 8-4

Championship: Eudora defeated Tonganoxie 15-0
 

3A
Maur Hill Regional (Preview published Monday)
Despite hosting the regional, Maur Hill-Mount Academy/Highland-Doniphan West could be in for a quick postseason exit. The Ravens (3-13) will face No. 1 seed Holton (16-2) in the first round. Holton finished last year fourth in 4A Division II. Riverside (10-8) and Pleasant Ridge (7-7) will square-off for a likely shot against Holton. Royal Valley (14-4) will face Perry-Lecompton (5-9) and Jefferson West (10-7) will face Bishop Ward on the other side of the bracket.

Results:

Quarterfinals

Holton defeats Maur Hill Academy/Doniphan West 16-0

Pleasant Ridge defeats Riverside 12-5

Royal Valley defeats Perry-Lecompton 8-0

Jefferson West defeats Bishop Ward 9-0

Semifinals

Holton defeats Pleasant Ridge 10-2

Jefferson West defeats Royal Valley 5-2

Championship

Holton defeated Jefferson West 7-1

Caney Valley Regional (Preview published Monday)
Cheney (19-1) looks like the clear favorite to win the Caney Valley Regional, but their sites are set much higher. The Cardinals were the No. 2 seed at state last year, but seventh-seed Osage City pulled off the upset to send Cheney home early. The only team with a winning record that stands in Cheney’s way of a repeat trip to state is Caney Valley at 10-6. Cheney suffered its only loss of the season last Monday with a 12-3 loss to a quality Kingman/Norwich team. Cheney is an offensive powerhouse scoring at least 11 runs in 13 games this season.

Results:

Quarterfinals

Cheney defeated Fredonia/Elk Valley 16-0

Neodesha defeated Eureka 13-3

Caney Valley defeated Douglass 9-6

Chaparral defeated Belle Plaine 8-5

Semifinals

Cheney defeated Neodesha 11-0

Chaparral defeated Caney Valley 5-0

Championship 

Cheney defeated Chaparral 4-2

Galena Regional (Preview published Monday)
The Galena Regional looks wide open, but 14-6 Frontenac is the No. 1 seed. Four other teams also have winning records, and outside of 0-16 Erie, every team has at least seven wins.

Results:

Quarterfinals 

Frontenac defeated Erie 13-1 (5 innings)

Galena defeated Columbus 5-4

Girard defeated Baxter Springs 8-4

Riverton defeated Cherryvale 15-0 (3 innings)

Semifinals

Frontenac defeated Galena 11-3

Riverton defeated Girard 6-4

Championship 

Frontenac defeated Riverton 5-4

Southeast of Saline Regional (Preview published Monday)
Haven is a dangerous two seed in the Southeast of Saline Regional. After all, Haven was the No. 1 overall seed at the 3A state tournament last year, and ended up finishing third. This year, Haven enters with an 11-3 record, but Kingman/Norwich (17-3) is the regional’s No. 1 seed.

Results:

Quarterfinals

Kingman defeated Hesston 15-0

Lyons defeated Smoky Valley 8-1

Haven defeated Halstead 12-0

Southeast of Saline defeated Hillsboro 8-5

Semifinals

Kingman defeated Lyons 7-3

Haven defeated Southeast of Saline 4-1

Championship

Kingman defeated Haven 4-3

Thomas More Prep Regional (Preview published Monday)
While teams like Sylvan-Lucas/Lincoln (12-8) and Thomas More Prep (12-8) could make the regional finals, top-two seeds Beloit (14-2) and Hoisington/Central Plains (15-3) are expected to square off in the finals.

Results:

Quarterfinals

Beloit defeated Minneapolis 16-1

Sylvan-Lucas/Lincoln defeated Larned 6-4

Hoisington/Central Plains defeated Russell 10-0

Thomas More Prep defeated Plainville 6-5

Semifinals

Beloit defeated Sylvan-Lucas/Lincoln 9-1

Hoisington/Central Plains defeated Thomas More Prep 9-3

Championship

Beloit defeated Hoisington/Central Plains 6-5 (8 innings)

Lakin Regional (Preview published Monday)
Only Colby (14-4), Sublette/Satanta (13-5), and Cimarron (10-6) have winning records in the Lakin Regional, but outside of the play-in game, every team in the regional has at least eight wins.

Results:

Quarterfinals

Colby defeated Southwestern Heights 14-4

Lakin defeated Scott Community 4-3

Holcomb defeated Sublette/Satanta 10-7

Goodland defeated Cimarron 9-2

Semifinals

Colby defeated Lakin/Deerfield 11-1

Goodland defeated Holcomb 6-3

Championship

Colby defeated Goodland 12-2

Osage City Regional (Preview published Monday)
Burlington is a perfect 14-0 this year, but its road to state will be incredibly challenging. Standing in Burlington’s way is a likely matchup against Council Grove (14-4) in the semifinals. If Burlington survives that, they will likely either face either Osage City (15-3) or defending state champions Silver Lake (15-3) in the finals. This is possibly the toughest regional in 3A.

Results:

Quarterfinals

Burlington defeated Wellsville 3-1

Prairie View defeated Council Grove 8-3

Osage City defeated West Franklin 15-0

Silver Lake defeated Santa Fe Trail 8-1

Semifinals

Burlington defeated Prairie View 5-2

Silver Lake defeated Osage City 3-1

Championship

Silver Lake defeated Burlington 5-2

Nemaha Central Regional (Preview published Monday)
St. Mary’s had an excellent regular season and finished 16-3. Riley County (12-6) and Nemaha Central (10-6) appear to be St. Mary’s biggest competitors in this regional.

Results:

Quarterfinals

St. Marys defeated Hiawatha 6-1

Marysville defeated Sabetha 7-0

Rock Creek defeated Riley County 4-2 (11 innings)

Nemaha Central defeated Concordia 5-3

Semifinals

St. Marys defeated Marysville 4-0

Rock Creek defeated Nemaha Central 8-5

Championship 

St. Marys defeated Rock Creek 8-3 

2-1A
Lebo Regional (Preview published Monday)
Chase County is the No. 1 seed in the Lebo Regional after a 13-5 regular season. Last year, Chase County knocked off undefeated Udall in the state tournament and finished second to Wabaunsee in 2-1A. Host school Lebo (11-5) could face Chase County in the finals.

Results:

Quarterfinals

Chase County defeated Central Heights 15-0 (3 innings)

Northern Heights defeated Melvern-Marais Des Cygnes Valley 9-0

Lebo defeated Olpe 17-5 (5 innings)

Burlingame defeated Lyndon 9-5

Semifinals

Northern Heights defeated Chase County 6-4

Burlingame defeated Lebo 5-3

Championship

Burlingame defeated Northern Heights 6-5 (8 innings)

McLouth Regional (Preview published Monday)
The top five teams in the McLouth Regional have winning records. Oskaloosa is a dominant 17-1 this year and finished as state runner-up in 3A last year, but returning 2-1A state champions Wabaunsee return a load of experience. Much like Centennial League contender Topeka-Hayden in 4A Wabaunsee plays in the ultra-tough Mid-East League. Among their losses are doubleheader sweeps by perennial 3A power Silver Lake and a talented St. Mary squad. A probable Oskaloosa/Wabaunsee semi-final could be a state caliber match-up prior to state. And even then a possible match-up with a quality Mission Valley team looms. Misson Valley’s losses are to quality teams from Osage City, Council Grove and St. Marys and the Vikings even own an early April win over Wabaunsee.

Results:

Quarterfinals

Oskaloosa defeated Atchison County Community 7-0 (Forfeit)

Wabaunsee defeated Rossville 10-9

Mission Valley defeated Troy 15-0 (3 innings)

McLouth defeated Valley Falls 14-4

Semifinals

Oskaloosa defeated Wabaunsee 10-7

Mission Valley defeated McLouth 7-3

Championship 

Oskaloosa defeated Mission Valley 9-7

Moundridge Regional (Preview published Monday)
Moundridge has had a great season so far with a 14-2 record. The Wildcats will face county-rival Inman (1-15) in the first round. Trinity Catholic (12-7) likely awaits in the semifinals, while Whitewater-Remington (14-4) or Marion (9-5) should advance to the finals on the other side of the bracket.

Results:

Quarterfinals

Moundridge defeated Inman 9-6

Trinity Catholic defeated Sedgwick 18-11

Remington defeated Wichita Independent 15-0 (3 innings)

Marion defeated Canton-Galva 13-3 (6 innings)

Semifinals

Trinity Catholic defeated Moundridge 5-4 (9 innings)

Marion defeated Remington 8-7 (9 innings)

Championship

Trinity Catholic defeated Marion 5-4

Oswego Regional (Preview published Monday)
What the Oswego Regional lacks in depth, it makes up for in star power. The top two teams are far and away the best two in the regional. No. 1 seed St. Mary’s Colgan looks to make its first appearance in the state tournament since 2016 and has compiled a 17-1 record so far. No. 2 seed Cherokee-Southeast is 18-2. One of these two teams will likely be competing at state.

Results:

Quarterfinals

Oswego defeated Arma-Northeast 11-4

Cherokee-Southeast defeated St. Paul 15-0

Chetopa defeated Sedan 11-6

Semifinals

St. Mary's Colgan defeated Oswego 14-2

Cherokee-Southeast defeated Chetopa 10-0

Championship

St. Mary's Colgan defeatd Cherokee-Southeast 13-3

Pratt Skyline Regional (Preview published Monday)
Top-seed Spearville is looking for its first state appearance since 2014 after going 16-2 in the regular season this year. The Lancers will not have to face a team with a winning record until the finals, which could either be against Elkhart (16-4) or Medicine Lodge (12-6).

Results:

Quarterfinals

Spearville defeated Ness City 16-5

Stanton County defeated South Central 16-6

Elkahrt defeated Pratt-Skyline 13-1

Medicine Lodge defeated Ellis 12-2

Semifinals 

Spearville defeated Stanton County 10-0

Medicine Lodge defeated Elkhart 9-3

Championship

Spearville defeated Medicine Lodge 6-3

Sterling Regional (Preview published Monday)
The top five teams in the Sterling Regional believe they can win, but only top-seed Sterling will have home field advantage. Sterling is 14-2 on the year, while Republic County (15-5) looks like the biggest threat to the home team. Sacred Heart, Ellsworth, and Ellinwood have all had solid seasons as well.

Results:

Quarterfinals

Sterling defeated Bennington 13-8

Ellsworth defeated Ellinwood 2-1

Republic County defeated Ell-Saline 9-0

Salina-Sacred Heart defeated Little River 7-3

Semifinals

Ellsworth defeated Sterling 4-2 (9 innings)

Salina-Sacred Heart defeated Republic County 6-1

Championship

Salina-Sacred Heart defeated Ellsworth 6-3

Udall Regional (Preview published Monday)
Cedar Vale (15-3) is the No. 1 seed, but two-seed Bluestem (12-4) and three-seed Udall (13-5) might be the favorites. Bluestem and Udall faced off at state last year for third place, won convincingly by Bluestem. Udall will be playing with home field advantage, however.

Results:

Quarterfinals 

Cedar Vale defeated Burden-Central 14-1

Flinthills defeated South Haven 14-3

Leon-Bluestem defeated West Elk 21-6

Udall defeated Oxford 5-2

Semifinals

Flinthills defeated Cedar Vale 10-6

Leon-Bluestem defeated Udall 2-1

Championship

Leon-Bluestem defeated Flinthills 15-4

Yates Center Regional (Preview published Monday)
There aren’t many more challenging regionals than the one hosted by Yates Center, especially in 2-1A. Jayhawk Linn is the No. 1 seed at 14-2, but Humboldt (17-3), Uniontown (13-3), and Yates Center (13-5) all had stellar regular seasons. Uniontown is the only one of the four who won a regional championship last year.

Results:

Quarterfinals

Jayhawk Linn defeated Midway 18-0 (3 innings)

Yates Center defeated Moran-Marmaton Valley 12-5

Humboldt defeated Pleasanton 14-4 (5 innings)

Uniontown defeated Colony-Crest 12-4

Semifinals

Jayhawk Linn defeated Yates Center 8-7

Humboldt defeated Uniontown 10-0 (5 innings)

Championship

Jayhawk Linn defeated Humboldt 10-8

Gallagher Martin is a sportswriter for Kansas Pregame and the McPherson Sentinel. John Baetz and Conor Nicholl contributed to this story.