The semifinals are set for the Class 4A State Softball Tournament in Fort Dodge, and a more talented group of four teams would be hard to find.

The fourth-seeded Norwalk Warriors continue their quest for a state title today at 1:30, facing No. 8 seed North Scott at the Rogers Sports Complex. The game can be heard live on 94.3 KNIA and kniakrls.com, with pregame coverage starting at approximately 1:15. The other 4A semi will pit No. 3 seed Fort Dodge against No. 7 Winterset at 11:30.

Norwalk is riding a wave of momentum following Monday’s 12-2, five-inning victory over Western Dubuque in the quarterfinals. The Warriors led 10-1 after two innings, getting a leadoff home run from Nyah Hulbert in the first and three-hit games from seniors Zadie Wadle and Kaylee Cary.

Norwalk is 32-9 overall while North Scott is 27-11. The Lady Lancers are not your typical 8-seed, returning their entire roster from last year’s third-place team. They defeated top-seeded North Polk 7-4 on Monday, advancing to the state semifinals for the third time in the last four years. Northern Iowa signee Maddy McDermott leads a potent lineup with 14 home runs and is also the team’s ace pitcher.

Norwalk coach Beau Livingston tells KNIA-KRLS Sports that it’s a testament to the depth of the 4A state field that a team like North Scott is seeded eighth. “They brought every single person back, they’ve got a Division I pitcher, so they are really talented and they are the eight seed,” Livingston said. “So that kind of tells you all you need to know about 4A… From top to bottom it is really, really good.”

Today’s semifinal winners will meet in the 4A state title game Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The losing squads will play for third place on Thursday at 6:00.