Stanton happy with Rams’ post-season draw

    The Glenwood softball team will have a first round draw and open post-season play at home when the Class 4A softball regionals begin next week.
    The Rams (24-8 overall, 12-4 in the Hawkeye 10 Conference) will host the winner of Council Bluffs Lewis Central  (22-13 overall, 8-9 in the conference) and Harlan (29-9 overall, 13-4 in the conference) on Saturday. The first pitch is set for 7 p.m. Lewis Central and Harlan open post-season play on Thursday at Harlan.
    If Glenwood wins its second-round game it would play the winner of Winterset versus either Perry or Carroll in the regional championship at Atlantic.
    Glenwood coach Tim Stanton was pleased with the Rams’ draw.
    “If we want to get back to playing solid softball, this is the best regional draw we could ask for,” Stanton said. “It’s tough teams but we’re all even. I’m extremely excited about our district opportunities. A bye the first round and getting to host in the second round here in Glenwood is very unusual. The fact we will have that advantage over two teams we’ve beaten is huge.”
    The Rams have opened district play on the road two out of the last three seasons with Winterset hosting the regional final in each of those seasons.
    “I’ve always thought that was unfair and this year, it’s at a neutral site in Atlantic if we make it that far,” Stanton said. “For us to have an opportunity to play at a Hawkeye 10 site in a place we’re familiar with is something we hope to take advantage of.”
    In last year’s regionals, Glenwood defeated Atlantic 6-1 in the opening round before falling 6-0 to Creston in the regional semifinals.