HASTINGS — Trying to beat the top team in Class C is something nobody in Class C had done this season.

HASTINGS — Tori Kniesche’s rocket arm has been the worst-kept secret on the Wayne softball team this season, as the senior hurler has put together a record-shattering season.

HASTINGS — Both Wayne and Guardian Angels Central Catholic forced winner-take-all games in the finals of the State Softball Championships Friday afternoon at the Smith Softball Complex.

HASTINGS — After throwing three straight no-hitters, Wayne High senior Tori Kniesche finally gave up a hit to the Seward offense.

HASTINGS — Auburn pitcher Kylie Allen was frustrating the Guardian Angels Central Catholic bats for five innings before the Bluejays figured her out in the sixth.

HASTINGS — Guardian Angels Central Catholic had top-seeded Fairbury in a position it hasn’t experienced at this year’s state softball tournament.

HASTINGS — A classic pitchers’ duel came down to a pair of back-to-back doubles that never left the infield.

HASTINGS — Wayne coach Rob Sweetland said it was important for his young team to get off to a good start if they were going to compete for a state championship.

HASTINGS — Momentum is everything at this time of the season.

HASTINGS — When you get to the state tournament, you always want to get off to a good start.

HASTINGS — With only two starters back from last year’s Class C state championship season, one might think the Wayne softball team might have some jitters in its return to the Class B division of the state softball championships.

HASTINGS — Wayne caught history, while defending champion Bishop Neumann was left chasing Tori Kniesche's fastball.

HASTINGS — Wayne needed a spark to break the ice in a tough pitcher's duel.

HASTINGS — Before Thursday, Wayne had given up only one first-inning run the entire softball season.

HASTINGS — The Wayne High softball team, fresh off a 10-inning upset win over top-seeded and defending champion Elkhorn South, had nothing left in the tank for sixth-seeded Seward.

HASTINGS — A two-out single by Kennedy Maly in the bottom of the 10th helped Wayne stay alive in the Class B State Softball Championships with a wild 4-3 win over defending champion and top-seeded Elkhorn South Thursday afternoon.

HASTINGS — Guardian Angels Central Catholic got off to a slow start Thursday morning in the Class C State Softball Championships, but the Bluejays were in a position to mount a big comeback before seeing their season end with a 13-5 loss to Chadron.

HASTINGS — Wayne hung tough with Gretna until the Blue Devil defense came unraveled late in the game.

HASTINGS — Guardian Angels Central Catholic couldn’t have asked for a more difficult first-round draw at the state softball championships.

WISNER — Wayne finally got a chance to play in the B-4 district softball tournament and took advantage of the chance by earning a trip to Hastings for the Class B State tourney with an 8-0 win over David City/East Butler here Monday at River Park.

WEST POINT — With a trip to the Class C state softball tournament on the line, the Guardian Angels Central Catholic Bluejays looked to the top four hitters in their lineup to lead the way.