With a few clutch at bats and steady pitching, Southeast Bulloch’s softball team rode a wave of momentum after an early region playoff loss to clinch the No. 4 seed in the state playoffs.
    The Lady Yellow Jackets (23-8, 13-3 Region 1-AAA) had their fair share of close moments in the region playoffs. The last time out, SEB suffered a close 6-5 loss to Brantley County in extra innings.
    However, the Lady Yellow Jackets don’t have time to dwell on the past. Today they face a tough test in softball powerhouse and No. 1 seed Blessed Trinity (20-10 11-1 Region 4-AAA).
    The Lady Titans have been a force to be reckoned with in Class AAA softball. In 2007 Blessed Trinity won the state championship followed by a Final Four appearance the following season. In the last decade, the Titans haven’t missed the state playoffs.
    “We played Blessed Trinity in 2008 in the state finals in Columbus and we wound up third in state. We have not seen them or anyone in their region since then,” said SEB head coach Aimee Civalier.  “We feel like we matchup well against them.”
    Coach Civalier said playing in a tough region will benefit her team in the state playoffs.
    “They’ve (Blessed Trinity) had a good program for a really long time. They feel like our region is one of the stronger regions in the state,” Civalier said. “(Blessed Trinity) plays in Region 4. In Region 4 there are teams that aren’t really strong softball programs. They have probably about three strong softball programs in Region 4.”
    Despite playing in a “weaker” region, Civalier said the Titans have an above average pitching staff. Something the Lady Yellow Jackets will have to be ready for.
    The Titans also have a solid catcher with plenty of strength in her arm. That could pose a threat for a Lady Yellow Jackets team that loves to be aggressive on the base path.
    “It will be situational as far as how aggressive we are running. The catcher is very strong so we will probably be selective,” Civalier said.
    One advantage the Lady Yellow Jackets do have is the consistent pitching of Madison Fields. Fields has been SEB’s ace all season and she will get the start for Game 1 against the Titans.
    The first game of the Lady Yellow Jackets’ double header against Blessed Trinity starts at 2 p.m. with the second game scheduled for 4 p.m. If necessary a Game 3 will be played Thursday at 2 p.m.
    “Our goal is to be in the top four. That’s what we set our goals for and we’re going to come up here and have a good showing,” Civalier said. “We’re going to make the best out of our No. 4 seed and beat a No. 1 seed.”