Wild and Windy

HASTINGS — Runs were plentiful, and a little chaos ensued as the new-look state softball tournament took center stage at the Bill Smith Softball Complex on Wednesday. Top seeds in Class A and Class C will be fighting to stave off tournament elimination today.

At stake today, is possibly a trip to the state finals on Monday for the six remaining unbeaten teams. For the remaining 18 that have all lost a game, they will fight for their lives through possibly three games today. Here’s a quick recap of what happened yesterday.

Hopefully, you’ll read past these awesome photos. (Wink emoji)

Class A

STILL PERFECT: Millard North overcame a 4-1 deficit to Papillion-LaVista with a seven run sixth inning for an 8-4 win. On the top half fifth-seeded Lincoln Southwest scored three runs in the third inning to break open a tie with No. 1 Gretna and won 7-2. Southwest trailed their first-round game to Lincoln East 3-0 before erupting for a 7-3 win.

STARS: Emma Dostal had five RBI in two games for the Silverhawks and Millard North got a complete game grinder from sophomore pitcher Jayda Juarez in their win over Papio. She faced scattered 10 hits, before their offense came alive.

ON TAP: First round losers (weather permitting, it could be a long day) facing off now. Pius will play Lincoln East and Omaha Westside plays Norfolk in a district final rematch. The winners of those games get Papio and Gretna at 2:00.

CLASS A BRACKET / WEDNESDAY BOX SCORES

Class B

STILL PERFECT: Elkhorn North made it to Hastings for the first time in school history and went ahead and blasted six home runs in their 16-8 win over Scottsbluff in the winner’s bracket game Wednesday night. Blair looked the part of a champion on Wednesday. Top-ranked all season, the Bears defeated Duchense/Roncalli 15-2 and Hastings 8-0.

STARS: The bats for Elkhorn North were scorching hot as they belted eight home runs on the day with Halle Bribnow getting a win and six RBI in game one and against Scottsbluff Reagan and Reese Pearson each had a pair of bombs. Blair got through day one on pitching. Kallie Ulven worked just three innings in round one and Brooke Janning worked a shutout in game two while facing just 19 batters. Scottsbluff won their first state tournament game in school history by stunning defending champion Northwest with five runs in the top of the first inning.

ON TAP: First round losers facing off at 11:30 (or likely after). Duchesne/Roncalli will play Beatrice and Waverly plays Northwest. The winners of those games get Scottsbluff and Hastings at 2:00.

CLASS B BRACKET / WEDNESDAY BOX SCORES

Class C

STILL PERFECT: Two dominating performances from No. 1 Ashland-Greenwood as they beat top-seeded Hastings St. Cecilia 13-4 in the winner’s bracket game. Bishop Neumann is perfect after a thrilling 5-4 win over Central City.

STARS: Ashland-Greenwood pitcher Sofia Dill struck out 20 batters on Wednesday, while also driving in three runs and going 4-for-7 at the plate. Senior shortstop Elle Lanik capped a two-out, seventh inning rally when she drove in the game winner for Neumann against Central City and the Cavs got the last two winning innings in the circle from freshman Isabelle Stuhr.

ON TAP: First round losers facing off now. Gothenburg will play Aquinas and Freeman plays Wayne. The winners of those games get Hastings St. Cecilia and Central City at 11:30.

CLASS C BRACKET // WEDNESDAY BOX SCORES