As the high school softball regular season enters the home stretch during the next two weeks, Norwalk once again stands out as one of the top teams in Iowa. The Class 4A 2nd-ranked Warriors are 22-4 overall and tied for first place in the Little Hawkeye Conference with a record of 13-2.

Norwalk has taken on a demanding schedule so far this season, and that trend won’t change over the final 14 days of the regular season. Starting with Tuesday night’s home game vs. 4A No. 11 Winterset, the Warriors will face state-ranked opponents in eight of their last 11 games. Norwalk has already played nine games against ranked Class 5A foes – winning seven – and has six games remaining against 5A ranked teams, including No. 5 Johnston and No. 1 Ankeny Centennial at Friday’s Dallas Center-Grimes Tournament.

Head coach Beau Livingston tells KNIA Sports that the Warriors’ tough schedule is making the team better, and he wants them to be the best they can possibly be as they seek a third straight trip to the state tournament in July.

This week’s schedule also includes the final three Little Hawkeye games of the season. Norwalk will host a doubleheader vs. Pella Christian on Wednesday night, then host 4A No. 14 Pella on Thursday. With three wins, the Warriors would clinch at least a share of the conference title.

Livingston is also looking forward to Senior Night on Wednesday when Norwalk will recognize Addi Downe, Jaylynn Brandt, Jada Livingston, Grace Dehmer, Olivia Dougherty and Lauren Black.

“We have six fantastic seniors that have meant a lot to our program and the culture and just the way that they’ve conducted themselves,” Coach Livingston said. “They’ve really been a core group for us these last three years. I’m excited to take a night to celebrate them.”

Norwalk should also learn their postseason bracket this week as the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union is expected to release this year’s regional pairings.