Second-ranked Clarksville will take on ninth ranked Mason City Newman this evening in a class 1A quarterfinal at the state softball tournament in Fort Dodge. Clarksville is 28-4 and making its seventh all-time appearance. Unlike past state tournament runs, Head Coach Katie Burman says this year’s strength of schedule has the team as prepared as possible, having frequently played teams from Classes 3A and 4A along with some of the best teams in 1A and 2A.

Newman had two shutout wins on its way to the state tournament, and enters with the lowest ERA in the 1A tournament field at 0.84. Burman says confidence is key, especially with how well junior pitcher Syndey Lovrien has performed lately. She enters with a 1.58 ERA.