AUBURN - The Auburn softball team will be the #7 seed at this week's Nebraska School Activities Association State Softball Championships in Hastings. 

The Bulldogs are making their fourth consecutive appearance (fourth in school history) at the Class C State Tournament after defeating Freeman in the C-2 district championship on Saturday afternoon in Blue Springs, 9-6. Kylie Allen drove in six runs on two three-run home runs. She was also the winning pitcher.

Allen leads the team in batting average (.521), RBIs (55), home runs (20) and wins (11). The junior has an ERA of 2.59.

Last year, Auburn went 1-2 at state. They've never won a championship. The Bulldogs (21-6) open the tournament on Field #2 at the Bill Smith Softball Complex. First pitch is at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. 

They'll play No. 2 Guardian Angels Central Catholic (25-3). The Bluejays, who are making their ninth appearance at state, won the C-5 District Tournament with an 11-5 win over Boone Central/Newman Grove. GACC won their lone state championship in 2014. They were also runner-ups in 2012.

Marissa Hunke leads the Bluejays at the plate. The senior has a batting average of .507, 38 hits, 38 runs, 43 RBIs and two home runs. 

Erin Franzluebber has a 10-2 record in the circle, with an ERA of 2.01.

Early forecasts call for mostly sunny skies in Hastings on Wednesday, with a high of 57. Thursday and Friday temperatures are expected to be in the upper-60's. No rain is in the forecast. 

Auburn Public Schools officials announced Sunday, there will be no classes on Wednesday or Thursday. Schools could also be closed on Friday depending on how the team does.

The double-elimination tournament runs Wednesday through Friday.

 

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