Several area prep baseball teams advanced through the early rounds of district play on Tuesday, moving them one step closer to a state tournament berth. Surviving teams in Class 1A will face district semifinal games on Thursday, while Class 2A teams play in district final games on Saturday.
In Class 1A, top-ranked and undefeated Twin Cedars advanced with an easy victory over Moulton-Udell. The Sabers on Thursday host Southeast Warren, which needed extra innings on Tuesday to eliminate Moravia.
The #3 team in Class 1A, Van Buren, also advanced easily with a win over Harmony. The Warriors host another conference foe, New London, at 7pm Thursday in a game that can be heard on 92.7 KTWA.
Pekin is unranked, but they extended their winning streak to 13 games by squeaking past Sigourney 1-0. The Panthers host conference rival Iowa Mennonite on Thursday in a game that can be heard on 101.5 Kiss FM.
In Class 2A, Davis County scored five 1st-inning runs on the road at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and cruised to a 6-2 win. Albia also advanced in 2A with an 11-7 shootout win over Prairie City-Monroe. The Mustangs and Blue Demons meet for the fifth time this season on Saturday, in a district final at 7pm that can be heard on 104.3 KRKN.