By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
For a second straight season, the Southeast of Saline softball team will be headed to the 3A state tournament, after sweeping their way through this year’s Hoisington Regional.
The Lady Trojans eliminated Russell 15-0, Ellsworth 10-3, and Hoisington 2-0 to move to 21-3 on the year and punch a ticket to Topeka next week.
Things began with a bang for Southeast who rattled off eight runs in the first inning, and seven more in the third to win their quarterfinal contest in just three frames.
Aba Pearson collected the win in her starting pitching debut, striking out four and allowing just two hits in the 15-0 victory.
All nine members of the Lady Trojan order contributed at least one run to the tally, with Abby Wyatt adding a pinch-hit 3 RBI triple in the third.
Lexi Jacobson led the charge, finishing her day a home run away from the cycle with a single, a double, and a triple as part of a 3/3 effort.
Southeast picked up right where they left off in game two, rattling off six runs in the home half of the first against a familiar foe in Ellsworth.
The Bearcats would strike for three runs of their own in the second, but from there it was all Lady Trojans as SES scored four unanswered runs to cruise to a 10-3 victory.
Once again all nine members of the lineup contributed in a big way, with Maddie Harris and Brielle Ptacek each reaching base four times and combining for six Southeast runs.
In the circle, Bryna Baird and Lexi Jacobson combined to toss seven innings of three-run ball, combining for eight strikeouts and just two walks.
As fate would have it, the Lady Trojans would earn a rematch of last year’s regional championship game, and found themselves needing to dethrone the hosts in Hoisington to make a return trip to the promised land.
Offense was hard to come by on both sides, and the Lady Cardinals outhit Southeast 6-3, but the Lady Trojans got timely hits from Bryna Baird and Abby Wyatt to drive in the two runs they needed in a 2-0 shutout.
Lexi Jacobson was masterful in the circle, cutting down eight batters on strikes, and allowing no runs on just six hits, stranding the bases loaded in the top of the seventh to secure the win.
Southeast will travel to Topeka on May 23 and 24 for their second state tournament in as many years. For updated information on brackets stay tuned to KSHSAA.org or follow us on Twitter @spostsports.