PLEASANT HILL, Iowa – The Southeast Polk High School athletic department has achieved a notable dual milestone, as both the varsity baseball and varsity softball programs have qualified for their respective state tournaments in the same season. Both teams finalized their postseason advancement following regional and substate victories last week, placing the Rams among the elite tournament fields in the state.

The Rams baseball team advanced to the Class 4A state tournament bracket following a 5-4, extra-inning victory over fifth-ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy for the Substate 5 championship. Southeast Polk enters the tournament with a 24-17 record, marking the program’s seventh state tournament appearance overall and its first since 2023. The program previously won consecutive state baseball championships in 2014 and 2015.

The baseball squad opens its single-elimination tournament bracket on Tuesday, July 21, at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids. The No. 7 seed Rams are scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. first pitch against the tournament’s second seed, Indianola (32-4). Subsequent semifinal and championship round game times remain dependent on opening-round results.

The Rams softball program earned its placement in the state field via the Class 5A regional brackets, entering the eight-team state tournament field with a 24-16 record. The Rams have maintained their position as a premier program in Class 5A, navigating a rigorous Central Iowa Metropolitan League (CIML) schedule to return to the state field.

For the 2026 season, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) has transitioned the state tournament to a double-elimination format, guaranteeing all qualifying teams a minimum of two games at the complex. The No. 6 seed Rams open Class 5A tournament action on Monday, July 20, at 6:30 p.m. against third-seeded West Des Moines Valley at Triton Field within the Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge.

In compliance with the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the IGHSAU, all spectator admission must be secured digitally through online ticketing platforms. Cash gates will not be available at tournament venues, and admission is set at $12 per day for each site. Fans can purchase entries directly through the IHSAA Class 4A State Baseball Tickets Portal and the IGHSAU Class 5A State Softball Tickets Portal.

For supporters unable to travel to Cedar Rapids or Fort Dodge, comprehensive digital streaming and television broadcast options will be provided throughout the week. Live streaming of the Class 4A baseball tournament will be broadcast via the IHSAA Watch Page and the official IHSAA YouTube Channel. Local over-the-air television coverage for the Des Moines market is available on channel WHO 13.4, with regional cable coverage provided on Mediacom MC22. State softball preliminary and elimination bracket games will be streamed live via the IGHSAU State Softball Live Stream Portal, with the state championship broadcasts later in the week produced and aired statewide via Iowa PBS.