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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's McKenzie Bryant (14) and Mallory Bradford (4) celebrate in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea celebrates the victory in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Sarah Cespedes (18) delivers a pitch in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's McKenzie Bryant (14) rounds third base in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Alex Smithson (24) in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Alex Smithson (24) attempts to tag the runner in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Alex Smithson (24) in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Alex Smithson (24) in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Allie Miller (17) in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Lexi Preisendorfer (1) in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's McKenzie Bryant (14) in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea head coach Heather Lee argues a call in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Alex Smithson (24) in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Mallory Bradford (4) celebrates a double in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Sarah Cespedes (18) in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Sarah Cespedes (18) delivers a pitch in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's McKenzie Bryant (14) tracks a fly ball in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Mallory Bradford (4) in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's McKenzie Bryant (14) in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Lexi Preisendorfer (1) in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
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Kyle Parmley
Chelsea Softball
Chelsea's Sarah Cespedes (18) celebrates after a strikeout in a Class 6A North Central Regional game against Gardendale on May 13, 2016 at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa.
The Lady Hornets have been there before.
Chelsea returns to the state tournament this Thursday and Friday at Lagoon Park in Montgomery for the second consecutive year.
After the result last year – a win followed by two losses to send them home – the plan this time around is simple.
“Might as well have fun,” senior Lexi Preisendorfer said.
Things started well enough at state a year ago, with a 4-0 win over Hillcrest. Later that day, the Lady Hornets lost a narrow 1-0 decision to Southside. The next morning was a different story, as Cullman beat Chelsea 17-2 in a game that got out of hand and left a sour taste.
This year, Chelsea takes on Dothan in the opening round of the state tournament on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Tristan Ziannis is another senior that realizes for her class, it’s their last chance to leave the softball program with a state championship.
Count her thrilled to be there.
“When you walk in, it’s super intense,” she said. “It’s really exciting. It’s a little different than any other tournament you go to. Last year, it was kind of intimidating, because we were kind of young.”
That experience will only help in the Lady Hornets’ second try at it, this time under first-year head coach Heather Lee.
Lee has harped all year on her team having the grit to win close ballgames, and being able to “win every pitch.” In the North Central Regional, Chelsea was in a tight game with Gardendale, and she saw something that her team will see once again at state.
“As that game started getting deeper into the game and getting closer, you start seeing people walk up who you haven’t seen all tournament,” Lee said.
Lee maintains that her team is one of, if not the most talented team in Alabama. But that fact alone won’t win games.
“Talent gets you so far, and then it’s your grit and your determination and your heart will take you that extra level. I tell my girls everyday, talent doesn’t always win,” she said.
Ziannis initially tried to distinguish between nerves and butterflies, but eventually admitted that she would be nervous. Preisendorfer said she “will be wanting to just sit down” as the game approaches. But they are hopeful the nerves will be channeled in a positive manner.
“If I didn’t get nervous, I wouldn’t play as good,” Ziannis said.
Her own team may make her bite her nails at times, but Lee has seen this story throughout the season.
“They have an ability to walk out on the field and do everything to a level that is needed to win,” Lee said.
