State softball: Class B rankings, breaking down (and predicting) the state tournament
Grand Island Northwest is looking for its third consecutive title. But there are plenty of contenders for the Class B crown.
The 2023 runner-up Blair still has firepower. Beatrice makes its 22nd appearance and walks away with hardware 50% of the time during that span (three titles, eight runner-ups).聽
Lincoln Pius X is in the field after qualifying for the Class A state tournament in 2023.
Hastings, Gretna East, Scottsbluff and Seward are no pushovers either.
The field
GI Northwest (29-2): The Vikings go for a third straight state title and freshman phenom Graclyn Simmons leading the way with a 20-1 record and 1.44 ERA. Reyse Zobel, the hero in the 2023 state championship, is back with a .561 batting average, 51 RBIs and 14 home runs.
Lincoln Pius X (17-17): The Thunderbolts are back in the state tournament, just in a different field. A tough schedule has hardened Pius X. Jordan Huber had a monster district final with three home runs, while Kendal Heimes leads the Bolts with 31 RBI.
Scottsbluff (22-11): The Bearcats continue to be the team to beat from Western Nebraska, as they get set for their fourth straight trip to Hastings. They handed two-time defending state champ GI Northwest a loss last season in the opening round of the state tournament. Senior Makayla Michaelson leads a potent Scottsbluff with 45 RBIs.
Hastings (28-7): Ella Tinsman has 20 of the Tigers' 28 victories in the circle. Brooke Ochsner has 40 RBIs while Grace Beck has hit the long ball 14 times. Hastings has finished runner-up in Class B twice (2020-21) in the last four years and is primed to bring the Tigers its first state title.
Beatrice (26-5): Five different players for the Lady Orange have hit five or more home runs. Layla Boyko, who is 8-2 in the circle, has hit six home runs. Brooke Gleason and Tatum Tempelmeyer both have seven.
Gretna East (18-14): The Griffins are the new kids on the block, both in Class B and the state tournament. Gretna East makes its first state tournament behind a brutal schedule to get there. The Griffins are led by a solid offense, paced by junior Emerson Husen鈥檚 20 RBIs and .379 batting average.
Seward (22-10): McKenna Sides has pitched the Bluejays to 20 victories with a 3.76 ERA and Seward have the bats that can strike at any moment. Jeffi Schaefer has totaled eight home runs while Lauren and
Emma Frihauf adds a unique combo on both ends of the batting order 鈥 the duo has combined for 64 runs and 30 RBIs.
Blair (29-7): The Bears finished with the runner-up trophy in 2023. With a veteran class, including senior Brooke Janning, the Bears could make another run to the championship game. Janning comes into the tournament with 0.99 ERA and a 22-5 record, while Jacy Schueth has paced the offense with 33 RBIs and eight home runs.
Tim's pick
Blair.
Ratings
School (rec.) | pvs.
1. Grand Island Northwest (29-2) | 1
2. Blair (29-7) | 2
3. Beatrice (26-5) | 3
4. Hastings (28-7) | 5
5. Seward (22-10) | 8
6. Omaha Skutt (26-7) | 4
7. Gretna East (18-14) | 9
8. Nebraska City (27-6) | 7
9. Crete (23-10) | 6
10. Lincoln Pius X (17-17) | NR
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Check out the photos from the A-2 district softball tournament Thursday at Doris Bair Complex.