MUSCATINE, Iowa–This season, the Muscatine High School softball team continued their dominance, going deep into the state tournament after earning their first conference title win in eight years last season. Fans got to savor the experience of watching the team place as Mississippi Valley Conference co-champions, advance to the state tournament, and play in a trio of noteworthy games. This year, the team earned third place in the state tournament and appears poised to continue doing great things next year, which could include additional state tournament play.
Even before the team punched its ticket to the state tournament this July, they had numerous high points throughout the summer, going 33-4 overall. Head softball coach Steve Hopkins shared the team took pride in clinching the Mississippi Valley Athletic Conference co-championship, a goal they had set for themselves in the preseason. Hopkins also considered Maura Chalupa’s getting her 200th season strikeout and 400th career strikeout worthy accomplishments too and looks forward to her continued development as a player next season.
With Muscatine having some stiff competition throughout division 5A softball, Hopkins felt pleased that the team made it all the way to the state tournament for the first time in many years. “It’s difficult to qualify for the state tournament, so being able to represent Muscatine was exciting,” he said. “The teams at the tournament are some of the best teams in the state, so the games are exciting to watch.”
In the quarter finals, Muscatine defeated their Mississippi Valley Athletic Conference rival Pleasant Valley four to zero. They then advanced to the semifinals, where Waukee Northwest defeated them seven to two. In the consolation game, Muscatine beat West Des Moines Valley six to two to earn third place in the tournament overall: “I am extremely proud of the girls finishing third this year. We have six new starters and a fairly young, team so this was quite an accomplishment,” Hopkins stated.
Though several months will pass before the Muscatine High School softball team takes to the field again, Hopkins already think their prospects for returning to the state tournament look bright. He explained: “I think there is a very good chance for Muscatine to return to state next year. We will return everyone except for two great seniors in Bree Seaman and Karly Ricketts.”
For the team to make its way back to the state tournament though, Hopkins knows all they players will need to work hard and stay focused on their shared goal. He considers pitching an area the team will need to develop, as Seaman has graduated and will no longer play for them. Additionally, Hopkins will work on hitting with all the players, working to improve each batter’s approach as well as her overall consistency.
With an overall strong team to start with, Hopkins considers these goals quite doable. In the year ahead, he encourages softball fans to keep an eye on many of the teams up an coming players, including Maura Chalupa, Becca Haag, Kaitlyn Haag, Ysabel Lerma, Kyleia Salyars, Avery Schroeder, and Brylee Seaman.
