The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has unveiled the slate of semifinal games that will determine which teams advance to the state championship series in the 2024 baseball season. Both Class 1A and Class 2A will see their district semifinals take place on Tuesday, July 7, with a full complement of substate matchups spread across eight regions.
Class 1A Substate Action
In the 1A bracket, Substate 1 pits South O’Brien against Remsen St. Mary’s, while Harris Lake Park meets MMCRU and St. Albert faces Logan Magnolia. Substate 2 features West Hancock taking on Newman Catholic, Bishop Garrigan against Lake Mills, and Woodbury Central versus Gehlen Catholic. Substate 3 brings together Belmond Klemme and Saint Ansgar, Riceville versus North Butler, and Madrid against Ankeny Christian. Substate 4 includes Turkey Valley versus South Winneshiek, Clayton Ridge up against Starmont, and East Marshall versus Don Bosco. Substate 5 showcases Calamus Wheatland versus North Linn, Lisbon against Maquoketa Valley, and Midland versus East Buchanan. Finally, Substate 6 matches Van Buren County with Sigourney, Highland against Burlington Notre Dame, and Montezuma with Lynnville Sully. Substate 7 rounds out the field with Earlham versus Martensdale St. Mary’s, East Union against Murray, and North Mahaska versus Moravia.
Class 2A Substate Matchups
The 2A semifinals follow a similar pattern, with Substate 1 featuring Spirit Lake versus West Lyon, Okoboji against Estherville Lincoln Central, and Boyden Hull Rock Valley taking on Hinton. Substate 2 includes Clarion‑Goldfield‑Dows versus Pocahontas Area, Eagle Grove versus Forest City, and Greene County up against Roland Story. Substate 3 pits Osage against Waukon, Denver versus New Hampton, and Tipton against Cascade. Substate 4 features Wilton versus Marquette Catholic, Durant against Alburnett, and Winfield‑Mt. Union versus Iowa City Regina. Substate 5 matches Albia against Cardinal, Pella Christian versus Central Lee, and Centerville against Pleasantville. Substate 6 includes West Central Valley versus Van Meter, Woodward Granger versus PCM, and Oelwein versus Beckman Catholic. Substate 7 showcases Aplington Parkersburg versus Grundy Center, South Hardin versus West Marshall, and Alta Aurelia versus Kuemper Catholic. Finally, Substate 8 brings together Sioux Central versus Unity Christian, OABCIG versus MVAOCOU, and Clarinda versus Underwood.
The schedule reflects the IHSAA’s effort to balance competitive parity while giving smaller schools a chance to shine on the regional stage. Coaches and players alike have been preparing for weeks, and the upcoming games are expected to draw strong community support across Iowa’s rural and urban locales.
Looking Ahead
As the semifinal day approaches, teams will aim to execute their game plans and advance to the next round. The winners will join the finals scheduled later in the week, continuing a tradition of high‑level high school baseball that has become a staple of Iowa’s summer sports calendar.