The Class 4A state tournament venue may not be the same but the action will be just as stellar as ever. Ahead of the exact substate pairings, we’re going to break down some thoughts on what we may see this postseason. The substate pairings for the 4A field came out on Friday, June 25^th and there will be some great matchups when teams start to battle on July 16^th for a chance to play at Duane Banks. Here are the groupings, with current records and rankings:

SUBSTATE 1

Ankeny (5): 23-6

DM North: 0-26

SC East (8): 26-4

SC North: 7-23

SC West: 10-15

WDM Valley: 13-17

Probable 1 seed: Ankeny looks to be the strongest team in substate 1, although they will have to get by 8^th ranked SC East and Cael Boever who has only given up 1 earned run the entire season.  Valley could cause issues for teams as well, they have shown throughout the year they have the ability to beat some of the top teams in the state (3 wins over Dowling, 1 each over Waukee and Johnston).

SUBSTATE 2

Ames: 16-15

DM Lincoln: 7-20

Dowling (4): 22-6

Fort Dodge: 11-18

Mason City: 19-11

Southeast Polk: 16-14

Probable 1 seed: Dowling

It will be interesting to see how the seeding shakes out for substate 2 as there will be multiple teams making their case for the 2 seed.  SEP has beat Dowling once this year and Mason City has one of the best two-way players in the state in Alex Gold.

SUBSTATE 3

Cedar Falls: 14-14

IC West: 17-10

CR Prairie (3): 25-5

Urbandale: 16-14

Waterloo East: 4-30

Waterloo West: 15-11

Probable 1 seed: CR Prairie

Prairie should have this 1 seed locked up but it will be a battle to earn the state bid.  Marcus Morgan from West continues to dominate hitters and I’m sure wants nothing more than to pitch at his future home for a chance at a title.  Urbandale has dropped some games lately but has been to state the last three years and knows how to win in the postseason. 

SUBSTATE 4

CR Jefferson: 5-25

CR Kennedy: 17-12

IC Liberty: 16-11

Linn Mar: 11-19

Muscatine: 18-9

Pleasant Valley (2): 21-2

Probable 1 seed: Pleasant Valley

Pleasant Valley has been solid from day 1 and will try to ride seniors Seth Clausen and shutdown closer Alex Clemons arms to the tournament.  Hall of Fame coach Bret Hoyer’s Kennedy squads always put up a fight and won’t make it easy for anyone.

SUBSTATE 5

Bettendorf: 6-18

Clinton: 10-14

Davenport West: 18-5

Hempstead (7): 20-5

Dubuque Senior: 11-16

North Scott: 20-6

Probable 1 seed: ?

Hempstead, Davenport West, and North Scott may all have a good case for the #1 seed in substate 5.  The Lancers have won 8 in a row but lost a head-to-head with Hempstead, while Davenport West has several quality wins on their resume as well.  As far as the seeding goes, this grouping may be the biggest question mark.

SUBSTATE 6

Burlington: 18-5

CR Washington: 7-23

Davenport Central: 11-13

Davenport North: 9-15

IC High (9): 23-9

Ottumwa (10): 27-5

Probable 1 seed: IC High, Ottumwa

While Ottumwa does have the better record overall, IC High has played the tougher schedule and notched some impressive wins (Prairie twice, Pleasant Valley).  Burlington is right in the mix as well and although they play a heavy 3A schedule, they do have the head-to-head win with the little hawks.

SUBSTATE 7

Johnston (1): 27-5

Roosevelt: 21-10

Centennial: 17-13

Indianola: 20-9

DM East: 7-22

Marshalltown: 6-21

Probable 1 seed: Johnston

The dragons look to have secured the 1 seed but it won’t be an easy road to Iowa City. Roosevelt is near the top of 4A in home runs and stolen bases with a host of quality arms, Indianola already has 20 wins and will be arguing for the 2 seed.  Centennial may have a case as well with an early-season sweep of Roosevelt.

SUBSTATE 8

Norwalk (6): 25-3

Waukee: 19-13

Lewis Central: 16-7

Hoover: 13-16

CB Lincoln: 7-16

CB Jefferson: 0-18

Probable 1 seed: Norwalk

The MLB draft will have a big impact on substate 8.  If Jackson Wentworth is still pitching for the Warriors in late July it could mean trouble for the other teams in this group.  Even if he does decide to take the professional route Waukee has a very deep pitching staff and will likely meet Norwalk and Evan Borst in a substate final.