This is not your usual state tournament recap. But it wasn’t your usual season. Iowa was the only state in the nation to resume high school sports during the global pandemic. But for eight days, on the field at least, things seemed somewhat normal.

Johnston clinched its fifth title in program history with an 11-8 win over Ankeny in the 4A state championship game Saturday night at Principal Park. The Dragons rallied from a 7-3 deficit, outscoring the Hawks 8-1 over the game’s final three innings.

For the first time since 1978, the Dons are state champs. Don Bosco took down Newman Catholic 3-2 in the Class 1A title game Saturday. The Dons denied the Knights’ quest for a four-peat with an offensive boom in the bottom of the sixth.

For the first time in school history, the Bulldogs are back-to-back state champions. Van Meter defeated Des Moines Christian 6-0 in the 2A championship Saturday, claiming the school’s second title in as many years.

Norwalk won its first state tournament in more than 10 years, taking down Gilbert 8-6 on Saturday for the Class 3A title. Gilbert made things interesting in the final inning when the Tigers scored five runs, but Norwalk hung on for its first championship since 2009.

TOP SEEDS: 1. Martensdale-St.Marys; 2. Remsen St.Mary’s; 3. St.Albert; 4. South Winn
RANKED TEAMS: 1. Martensdale-St.Marys; 2. Remsen St.Mary’s; 3. St.Albert; 4. South Winn; 6. Newman; 7. Don Bosco; 8. Kingsley-Pierson

Class 1A state tournament brackets

TOP SEEDS: 1. Van Meter; 2. North Linn; 3. Dike-New Hartford; 4. Mid-Prairie
RANKED TEAMS: 1. Van Meter; 2. North Linn; 3. Dike-New Hartford; 6. Mid-Prairie; 9. West Lyon

Class 2A state tournament brackets

Class 2A stat leaders

TOP SEEDS: 1. Sergeant Bluff-Luton; 2. Dallas Center-Grimes; 3. Gilbert; 4. Norwalk.
RANKED TEAMS: 2. Sergeant Bluff-Luton; 4. Dallas Center-Grimes; 6. Gilbert.

Class 3A state tournament brackets

Class 3A stat leaders

TOP SEEDS: 1. Johnston; 2. Ankeny; 3. Hempstead; 4. Urbandale
RANKED TEAMS: 1. Johnston; 2. Ankeny; 3. Urbandale; 4. Hempstead; 7. Waukee

Class 4A state tournament brackets

Class 4A stat leaders

Fans can keep foul balls hit into the stands during state tournament games, thanks to our good friends at the Iowa Soybean Association. There are an average of 750 baseballs used each year during the state tournament. And most of them go home with fans.

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.

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