CATLIN — Upsets happen in every sport and at every level.
That was the message from Salt Fork softball coach Kalyn Learnard to her team before Tuesday’s regional semifinal contest with the St. Thomas More Sabers.
“I told the girls, if you haven’t been watching college softball, than you have missing a lot of stuff that could happen in high school,’’ said Learnard, pointing out that Liberty University stunned top-seeded Texas A&M last weekend in the NCAA Regionals.
Salt Fork understood the message from their coach, scoring in every inning on its way a 18-1 victory.
“Lower-seeded teams are always capable of knocking off top teams,’’ Learnard said. “I just wanted to come out and compete to their highest level — and I think we did that.’’
But, it wasn’t without a moment of uneasiness for the Storm (25-4).
St. Thomas More, who had just one win in 15 games coming into Tuesday’s contest, actually struck first when freshman Emma Remenji lead off the game with a single, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error and then scored on a squeeze bunt from Kaitlynn Ballard.
That lead for the Sabers was very short-lived.
Salt Fork answered with two runs in the bottom of the first on two-out hits from Brilynn Barnett and winning pitcher Karli McGee, taking the lead for good.
“We have a pretty calm group. We talk to them all of the time when they come into the dugout. We just reminded them, it was the first inning and there was still a lot of game left to play,’’ Learnard said. “We were going to have to score anyway, it just meant we had to score more than one run.
“Our goal is to win or tie every inning.’’
That philosophy played out in every frame for the Storm.
Salt Fork increased its lead to 9-1 with a 7-run second inning and then a 9-run third inning gave the Storm an insurmountable lead, as the game was delayed twice because of thunderstorms in the area.
That was the case for the second semifinal between Armstrong-Potomac and Georgetown-Ridge Farm.
The game was postponed to Wednesday and the two teams are tied at 3-3 after four inning when the contest had to be suspended until today at 4:30 p.m.
Regardless of who wins the second semifinal, it will be a rematch for the Vermilion Valley Conference champions, Salt Fork beat Armstrong-Potomac 9-5 on April 7, while Salt Fork defeated Georgetown-Ridge Farm 9-3 on May 5.
“Coming into the postseason, we have talked about how it’s a new season,’’ Learnard said. “We have to come out and play every game to the best of our ability, because it’s win or go home.
“It doesn’t matter if we beat them before or they beat us before. We just have to compete in this one game.’’
Barnett led the Salt Fork offense with three hits, including two doubles, while Lainey Ehler and Sailor Pacot shared game-high honors with three RBIs, Pacot capped the scoring in the third with a 3-run, inside-the-park home run.
The regional championship game between Salt Fork and the winner of the Armstrong-Potomac and Georgetown-Ridge Farm contest will be 4:30 p.m. Friday afternoon at Salt Fork High School.