STATE TOURNAMENT: Pocatello, Malad carry No. 1 seeds into their respective state tournaments

IDAHO FALLS – The state softball tournament still features eight-team brackets and nine area teams will be competing throughout four divisions.

Pocatello is the top seed in 5A and looks to defend its state title, while 3A powerhouse Malad looks to add another blue trophy to its collection after falling in the title game last season.

Highland (19-8) is the fifth seed in 6A after a strong finish that saw the Rams beat Rigby three times and then beat top-seeded Thunder Ridge twice – 13-12 in eight innings and 5-4 – to win the district title.

Blackfoot (24-5) finished unbeaten in the 5A High Country Conference and is the No. 2 seed behind Pocatello (21-4). The Broncos have won five straight.

They played Pocatello back on April 10 and lost to the Thunder 7-6 in eight innings.

Preston (16-10) won the South East Idaho Conference title and is the seventh seed in 4A.

Marsh Valley (8-18) played well in the district tournament to earn the SEIC second berth and an eight seed at the state tournament.

Teton (16-7) is the highest scoring team in 4A at nearly 13 runs per game and won the Mountain Rivers Conference. The Timberwolves are seeded No. 5.

Malad (25-2) is the team to beat in 3A. The Dragons had won four straight state titles but had their streak snapped last year, losing in the championship game.

The team features a loaded lineup that averages 13 runs and sports a 1.41 team ERA.

North Fremont (18-8) won the always-competitive Nuclear Conference and is seeded fourth at the state tournament.

6A

Eagle HS and Owyee HS

No. 3 Eagle vs. No. 6 Coeur d’Alene, 3 p.m. at Owyee
No. 2 Timberline vs. No. 7 Capital, 5:15 p.m. at Owyhee
No. 1 Owyee vs. No. 8 Rocky Mountain, 3 p.m. at Eagle
No. 4 Mountain View vs. No. 5 Highland, 5:15 p.m. at Eagle

5A

Skyview HS

No. 3 Middleton vs. No. 6 Lewiston, 3 p.m.
No. 2 Blackfoot vs. No. 7 Burley, 5:15 p.m.
No. 1 Pocatello vs. No. 8 Jerome, 3 p.m.
No. 5 Bishop Kelly vs No. 5 Skyview, 5:15 p.m.

4A

Skyview HS

No. 3 Weiser vs. No. 6 Timberlake, 3 p.m.
No. 2 Cole Valley Christian vs. No. 7 Preston, 5:15 p.m.
No. 1 Kimberly vs. No. 8 Marsh Valley, 3 p.m.
No. 4 Gooding vs. No. 5 Teton, 5:15 p.m.

3A

Gals Quad Complex, Caldwell

No. 3 Nampa Christian vs. No. 6 Declo, 3 p.m.
No. 2 Parma vs. No. 7 Melba, 5:15 p.m.
No. 1 Malad vs. No. 8 Firth, 3 p.m.
No. 4 North Fremont vs. No. 5 Orofino, 5:15 p.m.

2A

Gals Quad Complex, Caldwell

No. 4 Clearwater Valley vs. No. 5 Garden Valley, 10 a.m.
No. 3 Glenns Ferry vs. No. 6 Notus, 10 a.m.
Clearwater Valley/Garden Valley winner vs. No. 1 Potlatch, 12:15 p.m.
Glenns Ferry/Notus winner vs. No. 2 Genesee, 12:15 p.m.