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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
HHS faces St. Albans for regional crown
HUNTINGTON -- For the Huntington Highlanders, the entire postseason has been like playing in a state tournament.
And each time they've been challenged by opposition, they have answered the bell.
Now, they will take part in the Class AAA softball heavyweight match -- a date against St. Albans in the regional finals at Jackson Park in Parkersburg at 5:30 p.m.
"The kids are ready. I'm ready," Huntington coach Darren Woody said. "I hate that we haven't played since last Saturday. We have to be fired up and fundamentally sound."
St. Albans comes in at 28-1, but the lone loss came to Huntington in the regular season's first game. The Highlanders will come into the matchup at 21-5 with one of the losses being a 9-8 decision to the Red Dragons during Sluggerfest.
The Sluggerfest matchup was played on a smaller field and the teams combined for four home runs and lots of offense. Woody does not expect the same tonight.
"I think this one will be something like 4-2, 3-2 or 3-1 ballgame, hopefully with us on top," Woody said.
The Highlanders have had plenty of distractions this week with the WESTEST and Prom this Saturday, but they have not lost focus of what's at stake.
For Huntington, it is a berth in the state tournament and a chance to repeat as Class AAA champions. For St. Albans, it is an opportunity to prove that the regular season was no fluke.
Woody said he thinks his team is going up against the top team in the state tonight, regardless of what happened in the regular season.
"They all are good athletes," Woody said. "They all swing the bat well. We have to rely on Kayla (Stinson) and our defense. It is going to be a dogfight."
To say that Huntington is used to the big game is an understatement. Against Spring Valley in the sectional, the team was one loss from seeing its season end and came through with a 5-1 win. Against Cabell Midland, the team was one inning from elimination and stepped up with four runs in the seventh to win.
They have the experience to win the big game and they have proven it on several occasions. There is one major motivational tool for the team that Woody said he doesn't need to mention often.
"For our six seniors, this could be our last game," Woody said. "We keep challenging them on that front."
