By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
While most teams have to battle through every pitch in a state softball game, Southeast of Saline was clinical in their 7-0 quarterfinal victory over the Lakin Lady Broncs, in a win that was never in question.
For the third time in the last ten seasons, the Lady Trojans are on to the state semis.
Lakin did manage to get runners on second and third in the top of the first, but after allowing a double and a walk, Karlee Zurfluh locked down the circle, setting down the next 13 batters in short order.
Offensively, SES played their classic, chaotic brand of softball, scoring their first two runs from second base on a pair of bunts down the third base line.
Southeast doubled their lead in the second, added another run in the fourth, and tacked on two in the fifth for good measure, putting the finishing touches on a dominant 7-0 victory.
The Lady Trojans also continued to terrorize opponents on the basepath, successfully stealing seven bases, including six steals of second in seven opportunities.
Hannah Thiel was a one-woman wrecking crew at the plate, smashing a double and a triple and coming in to score two of Southeast’s seven runs.
Kyiah Samuelson reached base four times in as many plate appearances, while from the leadoff spot, Reese Heinrich drove in two runs and came home to score a third.
In the circle, Karlee Zurfluh tossed another gem, moving to 17-0 on the year on a day that saw her allow just three hits and two walks while striking out 11 in a complete game shutout.
SES, now 25-1, is on to the semifinals, where they await the 5-seed in Jefferson West (22-6), who defeated the defending champs in Frontenac 4-2 in extra innings.
You can relive every pitch of this exciting quarterfinal win on demand below.