Class B championship between Beatrice, Hastings will have a lot of orange (and firepower)

HASTINGS — Monday's Class B state championship game will be a lot of orange and a lot of firepower.

Beatrice reached its 12th title game with a dominant 7-0 victory over No. 10 Lincoln Pius X on Thursday at the Bill Smith Complex.

Hastings earned the other spot with a 10-5 victory over No. 2 Blair for its third appearance after runner-up finishes in 2020 and 2021.

"It feels really good to be back and have another shot at it," Beatrice head coach Gary Lytle said. "It's been a couple years and it's good to see these kids get the chance."

Hastings and Beatrice split regular-season contests with Beatrice taking an 8-6 victory in the third game of the season, while the Tigers later took an 8-2 win halfway through the year.

"We are excited to have an orange and black game," Lytle said. "Get a chance to play Hastings again. We've seen them a couple times this year and it's a game we are looking forward to. When you get to the state title, it's going to be a good team no matter who it is. We are excited to get up there and give it a go."

Layla Boyko helped the Lady Orange with a 14-strikeout performance and allowed zero runs over four hits for the Bolts Thursday.

Lincoln Pius X finishes its season 19-19 after qualifying for the state tournament two years in a row, including a Class A appearance in 2023.

The Bolts defeated Beatrice 5-3 in subdistrict action.

"Going into that game, we were going to be the fourth-seed in the district finals either way," Lytle said. "The girls, not that they didn't come out and compete, they just didn't have that desire. We just discussed every pitch, every out (and) every inning could be your last. You don't know what's going to happen at state and you just have to come out with that focus and energy."

Hastings used its energy to upend No. 2 Blair 10-5 Thursday.

Madison Wenzl hit an early three-run blast off Blair's Brooke Janning that Tigers' head coach Blake Marquardt said really helped turn the tide.

"When you get to state, there is no easy path," Marquardt said. "It doesn't matter who you are playing or the conditions you are in. You're going to get the best out of everybody.

"So far the last two days, we have pulled the best out of ourselves. I never thought you saw a 10-5 game against Blair. Janning is one of the best pitchers in Class B in my opinion. I think it just shows when you are playing well good things could happen."

But the Tigers have a pitcher of their own who has been one of the best across Class B in freshman Ella Tinsman.

Tinsman put her name on the game with a grand slam and struck out 11. As a freshman, Tinsman already has two school records.

"She set the strikeouts and four no-hitters in a season," Marquardt said. "She's done a great job but all-in-all it's a total team win today."

Hastings and Beatrice meet for a third time this season and the biggest prize of all Monday at 3:30 p.m. at Omaha's Connie Claussen Field.

Lincoln Stars/Lincoln Saltdogs reporter