The Class 1A baseball final, as usual, will pit a private school against a public school. There was a “balance” of four of each starting the state tournament, but three were eliminated in the first round, removing a chance for the private schools to even out the post-Norway final matchup totals (26 private, 28 public).
For the seventh time in a decade, Mason City Newman is the private school side, while undefeated Lisbon comes off an all-Linn-County semifinal.
A private school will be in other baseball finals as well, with Iowa City Regina vs. Centerville for 2A and an all-private semifinal in 3A.