State softball
5A
When: Today through Saturday
Where: Twin Falls High School, Twin Falls
2005 state champ: Timberline
Schedule: Game 1 – Coeur d’Alene (16-6) vs. Eagle (14-9); G2 – Highland (26-0) vs. Boise (16-7); G3 – Timberline (17-8) vs. Lake City (19-5); G4 – Skyline (16-8) vs. Mountain View (15-8).
Noteworthy: Lake City, making its first trip to state in four years, drew Timberline in the opener. The Timberwolves rallied from a four-run deficit in the top of the seventh to knock off 2005 state runner-up Borah and earn a state berth. Coeur d’Alene opens against a familiar state opponent, Eagle. The Mustangs won three straight state titles before Timberline broke through last year.
4A
When: Today through Saturday
Where: Ward Field, Pocatello
2005 state champ: Bishop Kelly
Schedule: Game 1 – Kuna (18-5) vs. Emmett (17-7); G2 – Pocatello (16-10) vs. Jerome (17-6); G3 – Post Falls (19-5) vs. Bishop Kelly (23-2); G4 – Blackfoot (11-11) vs. Wood River (13-8).
Noteworthy: The Trojans drew the toughest opener. Bishop Kelly has captured three state titles in the five years of the tourney. Post Falls cruised through 4A play in the Inland Empire League, going 12-0. The Trojans lost twice to 5A Coeur d’Alene and Lake City, which will be similar to the competition at state.
3A
When: Today through Saturday
Where: Ramsey Park, Coeur d’Alene
2005 state champ: Middleton
Schedule: Game 1 – Timberlake (20-4) vs. Snake River (10-9), 3 p.m.; G2 – Bear Lake (13-6) vs. Teton (17-4), 5; G3 – Middleton (12-9) vs. St. Maries (12-12), 3; G4 – Kimberly (21-2) vs. Homedale (13-10), 5.
Noteworthy: Is this the year Timberlake finally breaks through? Timberlake is making its seventh straight trip to state and is seeking its first state trophy since capturing third in 1999, the year the streak began. St. Maries returns after taking third last year. Middleton, which moves up to 4A next year, is seeking a third consecutive state title.
–Greg Lee