South Iowa Cedar League softball action returns to KCII3 as Keota (5-4, 4-4) hosts HLV-TC (9-4, 7-2) in this Thursday’s edition of the KCII Area Game of the Week.

After a rocky start, including an early 4-1 loss to the Warriors, the Eagles have picked up steam in recent weeks, winning three of their last four games. Keota head coach Shawn Haifley described what has changed for his squad over their recent stretch of success, “Our offense picked up the last four games, we hit the ball pretty well. We actually caught some tough breaks, there were times the ball left the bat and you think it’s going to be a heck of a hit and go for extra bases but it ends up being right at someone… I feel like we haven’t put a whole game together just quite yet, I’m still waiting for that game to happen.”

A young squad, Keota has just a single senior that’s recorded an at-bat in Lainey Swanson and has leaned heavily on 8th grader Jessalyn Aller.

Aller is the only recorded pitcher for Keota, and she has pitched well beyond her years so far. She owns a 74/13 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a 2.57 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. She’s also led the way at the plate, clubbing her way to a .500 average, a .647 OBP, a 1.042 SLG and a team-high in nearly every offensive statistic. The Eagle defense has helped her out as well, surrendering less than two errors per game and allowing just five unearned runs through nine games.

Aller will need to take down a balanced HLV lineup which boasts six players with at least a .400 OBP. Senior Lily Randall provides most of the Warriors power, leading the squad with three of its four home runs and a team-high .854 SLG.

Similarly to Aller, Randall is also the leader in the circle for HLV-TC, throwing the lion’s share of her team’s innings. She holds a 3.95 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP in 2025.

Historically, HLV has owned the series with Keota, holding a dominant 23-2 record over the Eagles in the Varsity Bound era, which stretches back to 2009.

You can catch this edition of the KCII Area Game of the Week on the new KCII3 app and the KCII3 stream on KCIIradio.com. Coverage will begin at 5 p.m. with the Area Game of the Week Pregame show. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 live from Keota.