CICERO – Greene was the fourth seed in the Section IV softball tournament, now it’s among the final four in the state.

The Lady Trojans advanced to their first state semifinals scoring all of its runs in the first inning in a 4-2 victory over Section III champion Sandy Creek (22-3) in the Section III-IV Class C regional championship.

Kiley Schaff delivered the big blow for the Trojans with a three-run double in the first inning to make it a 4-0 game. From there, the Greene defense held up with strong play after strong play, particularly slick-fielding shortstop Caitlin Willis. Willis, playing her third different infield position in as many years, punctuated her flawless day ranging far to her left snagging Gabby Guarasce’s grounder up the middle and throwing to Natalie Greene at first base for the final out of the sixth inning.

Winning pitcher Rebecca Hanrahan, used to chalking up big strikeout numbers, fanned just one Comets player after the second inning, instead deferring to the fielders behind her. She allowed five hits striking out four and walking just one. She retired opposing pitcher, Chelsea Claflin, on a flyball to rightfielder Shawn Ayers for the final out as the entire Greene roster celebrated.