Tuesday was a good day for the Hays High Indians. Two teams punched tickets to the state tournament, and a third can join them on Thursday.
The softball team provided the most drama of the day. After getting a first round by, Hays faced Valley Center in the regional finals. It looked like the Lady Indians had the game under control, jumping out to a 7-1 lead. But freshman pitcher Hannah Harold, who has been lights out this season, struggled and the Lady Hornets would fight back, tying the game at 7, and then taking the lead at 12-10 in the top of the 7th. The Lady Indians would need a rally and they would get it. Harold, redeeming herself, hits a two RBI single to give Hays the walk-off 13-12 victory. The Lady Indians will make their second straight trip to the state tournament.
The baseball team would need to win two game to also advance to state for second straight season. The Indians started the day with Goddard Eisenhower. The big blow in that game came off the bat of Riley Kaus. His 2 run homer in the bottom of the third broke a two all tie. Hays would go on to win 5-2.
Game two was a much easier ride for the Indians, who faced Salina Central in the regional finals. Austin Unrein pitched six scoreless inning ans struck out three. He also added a two run home run in the bottom of the sixth that ended the game. Hays beat Salina Central 10-0 in six innings.
The girls soccer team is having a record breaking season. The Lady Indians were 13-3 heading into the regional semi-finals game with Liberal. Hays got its first game midway through the first half, when Megan Bird found the back of the net. They added some insurance with under a minute left in the half, when Taylor Herman found Michell Linville for the goal. They wouldn't need it. The Lady Indians blanked the Redskins, 2-0. Hays will host the winner of Goddard and Andover Central on Thursday. The winner of that game will earn a spot in the 5A girls soccer state tournament.
