Tecumseh stood in Caston’s way for a 1A state softball championship last spring at Bittinger Stadium.

The 1A defending state champion Braves are in Caston’s way again.

Three of the four 2023 IHSAA softball state champions debut at No. 1. Penn (Class 4A), New Prairie (3A), Eastside (2A) and Tecumseh (A) are the No. 1 teams in their respective classes. Only Eastside, who lost to Andrean in the 2023 semistate championship game, is not a defending state champion.

Caston is second in the 1A poll to begin the season.

Caston, making its first-ever state finals appearance in any sport, lost 6-0 to Tecumseh to conclude a 22-5 season last spring.

Tecumseh finished last season with a 25-9 record after starting the season splitting the team’s first 16 games.

Rossville is third in the 1A preseason poll followed by Barr-Reeve and Cowan in the top five.

North Miami, 22-5 last season, is ranked ninth in the 1A poll.