Metro Sports Report

Williamsburg, Stars earn top IABA seeds

Sometimes, Loras Schulte says it can be a struggle to put together the bracket for the 12-team IABA State Baseball Tournament.

That was not the case this year.

"The tournament really pretty much seeded itself," said Schulte, president of the IABA. "The host teams are always placed at their home sites and with six (Iowa Valley League) teams in the tournament, two teams had to be assigned to each site."

IVL champion Williamsburg and the runner-up Stars are the top two seeds. Williamsburg will open tournament play at 2 p.m. Saturday in Watkins against the Calmar Cats, following the opener between the Muscatine Flames and Watkins at noon.

The Stars, last year's IABA champion, will begin play at noon in Walford against the Muscatine Road Runners, followed by the Allison Cats against Walford.

"It was really close between those two as the top two seeds, so they get the advantage of playing closer to home," Schulte said. "That meant Red Top and Norway had to play at the site in the Quad Cities."

Williamsburg claims 1st title since 1977

WILLIAMSBURG - Zach Brown summed up the day perfectly.

"Make sure you talk to Lloyd," said the long-time Williamsburg first baseman. "I know there is nobody happier about this than him."

Brown was referring to long-time Williamsburg general manager Lloyd Brockshus, who has been part of the Iowa Valley League franchise in one role or another for 53 years. During that time there have been several lean years, but not this year.

The Red Sox had not won an IVL title since 1977, according to official league records, but that drought ended Sunday following some anxious moments in Williamsburg.

Williamsburg built a 3-0 lead in the opener against Red Top, only to see the Toppers rally for a 4-3 victory. That meant the Red Sox had to get a win in the nightcap to secure the title.

Again, the hosts built a 3-0 lead only to see Red Top rally twice to tie the game. With the contest knotted 4-4 in the sixth, Williamsburg scored four times off reliever Lecari Elion, the key hit a two-run double from Nick Sueppel. They held on in the seventh to win, 8-5.

Look Who's Playing in 2019 IWSL

Sixteen players have already registered for the Iowa Women's Softball League for the 2019 campaign as of July 30.

This early registration period is for all players who participated in the IWSL this season. If they register by Aug. 31, they will receive a 50 percent discount and pay $50 instead of the regular $100 player fee.

Anyone who registers between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 will get a 25 percent discount and pay $75. Anyone who registers between Jan. 1 and April 30  will be charged the full $100.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The goal is to have eight teams and 120 players for Year 3 in 2019, with four teams in the Central Division and four teams in the Eastern Division.

Stars, Walford sweep IVL twinbills

The Stars swept their doubleheader at Norway Sunday night, but they  were not able to overtake Williamsburg for the league title in a wild  finish to the Iowa Valley League season.

The Stars were forced last week to forfeit two wins over Williamsburg  because they used an ineligible player in those games, ultimately  costing the Stars the 2018 crown.

Williamsburg won the title with a 12-6 record and .667 winning  percentage, with the Stars relegated to second place with a 13-7 mark  and .650 winning percentage.

STARS SWEEP NORWAY

The Stars won a pair of tight games at Norway, prevailing 5-3 in the  first game and 3-2 in the nightcap.

Matt Berst hit a two-run homer for the Stars in Game 1 and finished  with three RBIs. Cody Bell had three hits for the winners.