Santa Gertrudis Academy High School’s varsity softball team is one victory away from getting to the big dance after the Lions crushed North Zulch 14-4 in five innings during their Region IV semifinal match held in Seguin on Friday.

Originally scheduled to face Flatonia, Academy wound up playing North Zulch after the University Interscholastic League disqualified Flatonia because of an infraction.

“From what I have gathered, Flatonia’s coach called U.I.L. himself when he found out there was an issue with one of his player’s residency,” Academy Head Coach Olinda Salazar said. “U.I.L. made a ruling against Flatonia, so they were disqualified.”

The change of plans threw the Lions off early against North Zulch, but Academy eventually charged to victory led by batters Ashley Perez (3 for 4, two doubles) and Ashley Ritter (3 for 4, double).

“It was kind of hard getting up for North Zulch because we were wanting to play Flatonia so bad and also because our series changed from a best-of-three to just one game,” Salazar said. “We started out the game pretty flat, had some trouble getting our bats to the ball until the fourth inning when the girls finally started hitting.

Carla Noel (winning pitcher with eight strikeouts) did her part while enduring a touch of illness.

“Carla played a heck of a game while suffering from bronchitis,” Salazar said. “She would throw a pitch, then start coughing, throw another pitch and then cough some more. So she really hung in there for us.”

Academy now faces Mart High School in a one game showdown in the Region IV Finals at 8 p m. in Schertz Cibolo on Thursday.

“Mart is a team that is comparable to us; they have good pitching, good runners and good hitters,” Salazar said. “They made it to the regional finals last year and were beaten so you know they are going to want it really bad. They’ll be ready to go for broke just like we are prepared to do.”

Salazar, though, is confident her squad - this year’s District 32-A champion - can handle the pressure with this being the furthest playoff trek by an Academy softball team.

“I have four starting freshman this season but all of my girls have played competitive softball - some on select teams- since they were very young,” Salazar said. “So although some of my girls are young, they are all experienced players who are not easily intimidated which is working to our advantage big time this season. They go into their games excited and know how to put that kind of stuff aside and play the game.”