The Norwalk softball team makes their return to the state tournament this afternoon, taking on North Scott in a Class 4A quarterfinal at the Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge. The game can be heard live on 94.3 KNIA and kniakrls.com (KNIA3). Pregame coverage begins at 2:45, with first pitch set for 3:00 p.m.

Norwalk and North Scott have both qualified for their third consecutive 4A state tournament. The Lancers defeated the Warriors 6-4 in last year’s semifinal round and finished as the 4A runner-up to Winterset. Norwalk beat Fort Dodge 5-0 in the third-place final.

The Warriors are this year’s No. 3 seed in the 4A bracket with a 29-7 overall record. They recorded a pair of shutouts in regional play, topping Ballard 7-0 and defeating Pella 4-0. The Lancers are the No. 6 seed and have a record of 30-5. They advanced to state with regional wins of 8-2 over Maquoketa and 5-0 over Burlington.

Norwalk coach Beau Livingston expects a great matchup between the Warriors and Lancers. He calls North Scott a scrappy, athletic group that likes to apply pressure to opposing defenses. Two Lancer players to watch include leadoff batter Sydney Skarich and three-hole hitter Adalynn Johnson. Skarich is a .472 hitter with 35 stolen bases and 47 runs scored. Johnson leads the team with 11 home runs and 34 RBI.

The Warriors boast an outstanding one-two punch in the pitching circle in junior Carly Brewer and senior Olivia Dougherty. They combined to strike out 24 batters in the two regional wins while allowing just two base hits. Norwalk has slugged 33 home runs at the plate, led by Lauren Black with 11, Bailey Birmingham eight and Nyah Hulbert six. Hulbert is batting .500 on the season and Black has driven in a team-high 43 runs after clubbing a first-inning grand slam in the regional final win over Pella.

Today’s winner will face either Dallas Center-Grimes or Carlisle in the semifinal round on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. The losing team will play a consolation game tomorrow at 12:15.