The final Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association rankings for Class 3A and 4A are out. Xavier topped the final 3A rankings, while Johnston finished atop the 4A rankings — as the Dragons have all season. Newman Catholic (1A) and Wilton (2A) also led the rankings each week from start to finish. Read more for the Top 10 in each class, plus others receiving votes. 

We tried to do the impossible. Start with 390 state tournament games at Principal Park and pick 10 favorites. Lots of underdogs and upsets and extra-inning games. Thrilling victories. Heart-breaking defeats. One thing is clear: It’s been 14 years of great tournament baseball. Enjoy. [Note: Our favorite state tournament photo is above.]

There has been a lot of great baseball during the first 14 years of the Iowa high school state baseball tournament at Principal Park. Read more for a look at facts, stats and notes from 2005 to 2018.

The 2019 Iowa high school state baseball tournament is set for July 26 through August 3 at Principal Park in Des Moines. It will be the 15th season for the tournament at the home of the Iowa Cubs. New in 2019: A switch to a one session per day format, which also moves up the start times for the night games 30 minutes each.

Class 1A, 2A, 3A district pairings

Class 4A substate pairings

The state baseball tournament moved to Des Moines in 2005, and since then, lots of talented baseball players have showcased their skills at Principal Park. The list includes players who went on to play in college, in the minor leagues and in the major leagues. And players who went on to work for the host Iowa Cubs. Read more for a look at those who played in the state tournament at Principal Park — and work (or have worked) for the Iowa Cubs.

There was plenty of excitment at the 2018 Iowa high school state baseball tournament — 11 one-run games, three walk-off victories and one extra-inning game. Six home runs were hit — bringing the total to 54 at Principal Park — and two one-hitters thrown. There were some stunning upsets, and an 8-seed made it to the championship game. And there were a lot of familiar teams among the 32 qualifiers.

Newman Catholic won the Class 1A title, its seventh summer state championship. The Knights made their 11th straight and 22nd overall summer state tournament appearance — both all-time state records. Their 11th straight trip to the semifinals is also an all-time state best. Newman shut out its first two foes at state, and outscored all opponents 25-5. The Knights allowed all five runs in one inning, keeping opponents scoreless in the other 18 innings of play. Read more for pre-tournament news and notes about the 1A state tournament teams.

CLASS 1A STATE TOURNAMENT
FRIDAY’S QUARTERFINALS
Newman Catholic 10, Tri-Center 0 (five innings)
Martensdale-St.Marys 3, Council Bluffs St.Albert 2
SATURDAY’S QUARTERFINALS
Lisbon 2, Don Bosco 1
North Linn 6, Remsen St.Mary’s 3
THURSDAY’S SEMIFINALS
Newman Catholic 6, Martensdale-St.Marys 0
Lisbon 4, North Linn 2
SATURDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Newman Catholic 9, Lisbon 5

RANKED TEAMS: #1 Newman; #2 Lisbon; #3 North Linn; #4 Remsen St.Mary’s; #6 MSTM; #7. St.Albert; #9 Tri-Center. 
TOP SEEDS: #1 Newman; #2 Lisbon; #3 North Linn; #4 MSTM.

Class 1A stat leaders after final round

Overall final tournament stat leaders

Game stories, box scores and play-by-play reports

Centerville won the Class 2A title — adding to 3A titles it won in 1988 and 2008. The Big Reds were the 6-seed in the field, but knocked off the 3-2-1 seeds in order to win the title. Centerville led the entire tournament with a .364 batting average and in hitting .419 with runners in scoring position. Read more for pre-tournament news and notes about the 2A state tournament.

CLASS 2A STATE TOURNAMENT
MONDAY’S QUARTERFINALS
Iowa City Regina 6, Treynor 1
Van Meter 4, Alta-Aurelia 3
Centerville 6, Estherville Lincoln Central 3
Wilton 3, Denver 2
THURSDAY’S SEMIFINALS
Centerville 13, Wilton 0 (five innings)
Iowa City Regina 4, Van Meter 3
SATURDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Centerville 4, Iowa City Regina 3

RANKED TEAMS: #3 Regina; #5 Wilton; #7 ELC; #9 Van Meter; #10 Alta-Aurelia.
TOP SEEDS: #1 Regina; #2 Wilton; #3 ELC; #4 Van Meter.

Class 2A stat leaders after final round

Overall final tournament stat leaders

Game stories, box scores and play-by-play reports

Assumption won the Class 3A title, its all-time state record 11th summer state championship. The Knights are 37-5 in summer state tournament games — the all-time state record for most victories. Assumption outscored its foes 18-2 at state, with its pitchers combining for a 0.70 earned-run average and 30 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .092 batting average. The Knights’ Nick Gottilla set an all-time state championship game record with five hits. Read more for news and notes leading into the 3A state tournament. 

CLASS 3A STATE TOURNAMENT
TUESDAY’S QUARTERFINALS
Assumption 5, Bondurant-Farrar 0
Bishop Heelan Catholic 3, Solon 2 (eight innings)
Waverly Shell Rock 8, Carlisle 5
Harlan 5, Boone 4
FRIDAY’S SEMIFINALS
Harlan 7, Waverly Shell Rock 6
Assumption 2, Bishop Heelan Catholic 1
SATURDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Assumption 11, Harlan 1 (six innings)

RANKED TEAMS: #1 Harlan; #3 Assumption; #4 Carlisle; #5 Solon; #6 Heelan; #7 Waverly-Shell Rock
TOP SEEDS: #1 Assumption; #2 Harlan; #3 Carlisle; #4 Heelan

Class 3A stat leaders after final round

Overall final tournament stat leaders

Game stories, box scores and play-by-play reports

Urbandale won the Class 4A title — adding to titles it won in 2000 and 2007. The J-Hawks beat the 7-6-8 seeds to with the championship. They led the tournament with eight HBP. Read more for pre-tournament news and notes about the Class 4A state tournament.

CLASS 4A STATE TOURNAMENT
WEDNESDAY’S QUARTERFINALS
Valley 5, Waukee 1
Cedar Rapids Washington 7, Johnston 5
Western Dubuque 7, North Scott 4
Urbandale 8, Marshalltown 3
FRIDAY’S SEMIFINALS
Urbandale 7, Western Dubuque 3
Cedar Rapids Washington 5, Valley 4
SATURDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Urbandale 3, Cedar Rapids Washington 0

RANKED TEAMS: #1 Johnston; #2 Urbandale; #8 Waukee; #10 Valley.
TOP SEEDS: #1 Johnston; #2 Urbandale; #3 North Scott; #4 Valley.

Class 4A stat leaders after final round

Overall final tournament stat leaders

Game stories, box scores and play-by-play reports

Fans can keep foul balls hit into the stands during state tournament games. There are an average of 750 baseballs used each year during the state tournament. And most of them go home with fans. [Shamless plug: We are looking for a corporate sponsor for the 2019 state tournament.]

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