By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After a phenomenal 2023 campaign and a Lyons Regional title, the Southeast of Saline softball team will look to do something that no previous squad in program history ever has; emerge from Manhattan with a 3A state championship in hand.
For the Lady Trojans, that journey will begin at the Twin Oaks Complex on Thursday at 5:00, when they face the 7-seed in 15-6 Burlington.
This rendition of Southeast has been one of its most dominant in recent memory, as the 21-2 Lady Trojans have won 17 games by mercy rule, scoring 294 runs while allowing just 36 all season.
“I absolutely feel like we have all the pieces that we would want to make a state run,” SES head coach Pesha Ptacek said. “There aren’t many teams that boast the kind of pitching staff we have with three, maybe even four girls that I would feel comfortable putting in at any time.”
That staff has baffled opposing hitting all season long, culminating in a team ERA of 1.36, recording 155 strikeouts while issuing just 37 walks.
One of the only groups that have managed to hit the rotation of Lexi Jacobson, Bryna Baird, and Carly Commerford is the lineup that backs them up with run support night in and night out, with an offense that averages almost 13 runs per game.
“Seeing good arms throughout the season has been a positive for us but having the ability to hit off of ourselves in practice has really been beneficial,” Ptacek said. “Our batters get a good look at high-quality pitching every day and that’s bolstered our offense all season long.”
All of this has led to a return trip to the Little Apple, the first since 2019 for the Lady Trojans, where SES has earned the 2-seed, and the perception of a true contender this spring.
“We’ve talked about the line between confidence and overconfidence but they’ve earned the right to come into this tournament with the former,” she said. “There are teams that will be somewhat intimidated facing us and they’ve earned that but we have to respect our opponents and we must execute if we’re going to advance.”
This year’s 3A bracket features a loaded pool of talent, and to secure a first-ever 3A title the Lady Trojans must overcome teams like 22-1 Haven, 21-2 Columbus, and a familiar foe in 20-3 Beloit, who split with SES earlier this year.
“We’re going in knowing that everyone we’ll see is going to be a quality opponent and everyone will have strong pitching,” Ptacek said. “All of these teams are here for a reason and we have to prove that we can rise to the top and execute in big situations like this.”
First pitch between the Lady Trojans and Wildcats is scheduled for 5:00 on field 4 on Thursday, May 25th, with the semifinals and finals set for Friday.
Games can be heard all week on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) with Devin Hanney on the call courtesy of Eagle Radio