The first pitches in the first-ever Class B High School State Softball Tournament were thrown at the Players Complex on Thursday.

In the opening game, top-seeded Alcester-Hudson held off Hanson 4-2. The Cubs were led on the mound by pitcher Emma Moller, who experienced a mix of emotions about playing in the inaugural state tourney.

“It’s nerve-wrecking, but it’s a lot fun,” Moller said. “I’m super glad to be here with these girls and on this field.”

The Cubs scored two runs in the top of the third to break up a scoreless tie. Moller scored when she stole home, before Jenna Manning later scored the second run on an RBI single from Sarah Ebert.

Moller said the team fed off of the momentum.

“It was really exciting and I love how the team comes together and gets super excited in those innings and we all just support each other,” Moller said.

The Cubs added another run in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI single from Delta Pies. However, Hanson responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame. Jalyn Kampshoff hit an RBI single, and another run came in on a bases-loaded walk.

Moller faced several situations throughout the game where Hanson runners were in scoring position, but was able to make it out of nearly each inning unscathed.

“They’re a really good team and I knew that they would be able to hit the ball, but you’ve just gotta work the hardest you can and fight the hardest,” Moller said.

The Cubs tacked on a fourth run in the top of the seventh as Jaeley Christensen grounded an RBI double Alcester-Hudson was then able to hold off a late Hanson surge to earn the win in the first Class B state softball game, something Moller was pleased with.

“It’s really exciting. It definitely got the nerves out of the way, but they’re a super good team and we knew we had to put up a battle,” Moller said.

Moller pitched 6 2/3 innings for the Cubs, allowing nine hits and two runs, while striking out 13 batters. Ebert led the Cubs with three hits.

Olivia Kayser pitched seven innings for Hanson, allowing four runs on 10 hits and striking out 11. Jarding led with three hits.

Alcester-Hudson (13-1) will play Bon Homme in the first semifinal game today at 3 p.m.

Moller is excited for the semifinal.

“We’ve seen most of the competition in this tournament so far, so we know what to expect,” Moller said.

After a rain delay that forced the final two games to be played at the same time, third-seeded Castlewood punched its ticket into the semifinal round with a 13-3 win over sixth-seeded Deuel.

After Deuel scored on a wild pitch in the first inning, Castlewood responded with six runs in the bottom of the inning.

The Warriors’ scoring began with Sophia Kudrna stealing home. Castlewood also scored three runs on bases-loaded walks, one on a hit batter, and another on an RBI single from Natalie Akin.

Castlewood head coach Craig Horn the team has been performing well at the plate late in the season.

“They’ve been swinging the bats well here lately,” Horn said. “They’ve been seeing the ball well and taking good at bats, and so that’s really what helped us that first inning.”

Castlewood tacked on another run in the second inning on a Bridgette Horn RBI single.

After giving up a run in the top of the third, Castlewood scored three more runs in the bottom of the inning, led by an RBI triple by Madeline Horn. The Warriors added two more runs on wild pitches to make the margin 10-2.

Coach Horn said the team continued to play at a high level after the first inning.

“We just stayed on it,” Horn said. “We’ve got a veteran group, with some younger ones mixed in there, and they just always show up and keep playing.”

The Warriors added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth when Makenzie Everson stepped up to the plate and drilled a ball deep into center field, resulting in a three-run inside the park home run.

Throughout the game, Castlewood was able to keep the Cardinals at bay with solid pitching by Claire Horn. Coach Horn was pleased with how well the seventh-grader performed.

“It was good. It was a tight strike zone. I thought she located well with a consistent strike zone,” Horn said. “For being a seventh-grader out there with a bunch of seniors and juniors and sophomores, that was pretty impressive. Couldn’t be more proud.”

Horn pitched all five innings for the Warriors, allowing three runs on two hits, while striking out nine batters. Offensively, Everson drove in four runs.

Castlewood (11-5) now turns its attention to this evening’s semifinal, where the Warriors will take on a familiar opponent in Arlington, a team that beat them twice during the regular season.

Horn says he is looking forward to the challenge.

“It’ll be a tough game. We played them (twice) earlier and it was a one run game and a (four-run) game,” Horn said.

No matter how the tournament ends for his team, Horn said the opportunity to play in the first-ever state softball tournament is special.

“It’s a pretty neat experience for these girls,” Horn said.

Fourth-seeded Bon Homme jumped out to an early lead on the way to a 6-2 win over fifth-seeded Gayville-Volin.

Jurni Vavruska had two hits, including a two-run home run in the first inning for Bon Homme. Mylee Branaugh also had two RBI.

Kenadee Kozak took the win on the mound for the Cavaliers, allowing five hits and two runs in seven innings, while striking out 10.

For Gayville-Volin, Kendra Beeck-Waterman led with two hits and Kylee Nelson drove in a pair.

Taya Clausen’s big day propelled second-seeded Arlington to a 13-6 win over Viborg-Hurley. Clausen had three hits and knocked in five, while Sony Johnson tallied three RBI on two hits. Jolyssa Steffensen recorded two RBI on two hits, while Addalyn Steffensen had four hits.

Clausen also led Arlington on the mound, pitching seven innings and allowing six runs on eight hits, while striking out 12.

For Viborg-Hurley, Gia Miller and Raegan Smith each had two RBI and two hits.

Alcester-Hudson 002 001 1 – 4 10 0

Hanson 000 002 0 – 2 9 1

Emma Moeller and Ella Serck; Olivia Kayser and Jozlynn Tegethoff. 2B – Alcester-Hudson, Moller, Jaeley Christensen; Hanson, Tegethoff, Jacey Schoenrock.

Deuel 101 10 – 3 2 1

Castlewood 613 3x – 13 6 2

Claire Horn and Lilly Jacobsen; Katrina Hagberg and Hope Bjerke. 2B – Deuel, Zadie Johnson. 3B – Castlewood, Madeline Horn. HR – Castlewood, Mackenzie Everson.

Bon Homme 220 020 0 – 6 10 0

Gayville-Volin 000 000 2 – 2 5 0

Kenadee Kozak and Olivia Kaul; Ayla Dimmer, Kylee Nelson and Kayden Bye. 2B – Bon Homme, Taryn Crites; Gayville-Volin, Nelson, Andrea Miller. 3B – Taycee Ranek; Jurni Vavruska. HR – Bon Homme, Vavruska.

Arlington 005 080 0 – 13 16 0

Viborg-Hurley 021 110 1 – 6 8 0

Taya Clausen and Jolyssa Steffensen; Lexi Lindeman and Lauren Petersen. 2B – Arlington, Sony Johnson, Clausen, Brenley Goebel; Viborg-Hurley, Zoey Christensen, Raegan Smith. 3B – Arlington, Clausen 2, Goebel; Viborg-Hurley, Gia Miller.