Preview Softball

Returning all-leaguers

In the IEL, five first-team selections return.

Leading the way is Coeur d’Alene senior pitcher/first baseman Jenna DeLong, who was the league’s most valuable player last year. The other returners are: Coeur d’Alene senior shortstop Lindsey Stark, Lake City senior second baseman Chantal Waide, Post Falls senior pitcher/first baseman Sean Topp and Moscow senior outfielder Lauren Bender.

LC sophomore pitcher Lela Work and Post Falls sophomore pitcher Blake Meredith were the 5A and 4A newcomers of the year last season. Post Falls moved up to 5A this year.

In the IML, Timberlake senior pitcher Kala Allred, the MVP last year, returns along with six other first-team picks.

The other returners are senior catcher Holli Edelblute, sophomore infielder Afton Allred and sophomore shortstop Brittany Amende of Timberlake, Kellogg junior shortstop Bridgett Lund, St. Maries senior catcher/pitcher Sam Siron and Priest River junior shortstop/center fielder Alicia Shanilec.

Road to state

In the IEL, the 5A Region I champ advances to state while the runner-up can earn a berth in a play-in game against the District III (Boise-area) fifth-place team. The state tourney is May 17-19 at Post Falls High School.

In 4A, just the regional champ advances to state. The state tourney will be held May 17-19 at Ramsey Park in Coeur d’Alene.

In the IML, the top two teams go to state, scheduled May 17-19 in Pocatello.

Early look at the state

Defending State 5A champ Coeur d’Alene and state runner-up Lake City will get a look at the rest of the state this weekend at the Idaho Sporting Goods tournament in the Boise area.

CdA and LC each will play four games, including games against some of the 5A teams picked to finish among the top three in Boise’s Southern Idaho Conference. Eagle is picked to finish first in the SIC. Borah and Mountain View are expected to battle for second.

In games Friday, CdA plays Eagle and Capital and LC takes on Centennial and Mountain View. On Saturday, LC plays Timberline and Borah and CdA faces Boise and Twin Falls.

Eagle has won four state titles, the most of any 5A team in the 10-year history of state tournaments governed by the state activities association. CdA has captured three and LC, Centennial and Timberline have each won one.