The eighth-seeded Elk Point-Jefferson Huskies continued their Cinderella run in the Class A State Softball Tournament on Friday at Players Softball Complex.

One day after knocking off top-seeded Madison, EPJ took down defending champion West Central 7-4 to move into today’s title game.

The Huskies came in as an underdog and coach Amber Otkin said that was a motivating factor for her team.

“Nobody really expected us (to win),” Otkin said. “We flew under the radar. … We knew we could compete at the top all year, so we had that confidence. But also, we came in and showed people what we’re all about.”

Elk Point Jefferson got off to a fast start in the first inning when Cera Schmitz hit a three-run bomb over the fence to put the Huskies up early.

“It came off the bat and I knew it was gone,” Schmitz said. “It’s what we need to get us going and get the game rolling.”

West Central got right back in it with three runs of its own to tie the game in the bottom of the second.

Schmitz once again came up huge for the Huskies in the top of the fifth with an RBI triple to put Elk Point-Jefferson back on top 4-3.

The Huskies then took control in the sixth inning with three more runs. Laney Trometer drove in a pair with a double, followed by a sacrifice RBI by Paige Jacobs to extend the margin to 7-3.

The Trojans added a run in the bottom of the seventh for the final margin of difference.

Stella Siemonsma drove in a pair of run for West Central, which will face off against Tri-Valley in the third-place game at 2 this afternoon.

The Huskies will face Dakota Valley in the title contest at 4 this afternoon.

“It’s amazing,” Schmitz said.  “We’ve never done this. We haven’t even won the first game in the tournament. This is the first year we’re doing it. We’re going all the way, so why not finish it? We’re super excited.”

Otkin is happy with the way her players have responded on the state’s biggest stage.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” Otkin said. “They worked hard and to see them be successful is the greatest honor to be on the field with them. It means a lot.”

Elk Point-Jefferson 300 013 0 – 7 7 0

​West Central 030 000 1 – 4 11 1

Regan Rasmussen and Breann Johnson; Linzie Hoff and Maddy Kunzweiler. 2B – Elk Point-Jefferson – Laney Trometer; West Central – Ayla Kramer and Miley Travis. 3B – Elk Point-Jefferson Cera Schmitz. HR – Elk Point-Jefferson Cera Schmitz.