FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.-The entire softball season for two teams culminates and concludes over the course of a title game.
Genoa Central (17-15) clashes with Rose Bud (34-1) in the Arkansas Class 3A state softball championship at 12:30 p.m. today at the University of Arkansas' Bogle Park.
The game was postponed from Saturday due to inclement weather.
The Lady Dragons look to stop the Lady Ramblers in their tracks and can earn their first state title in softball with a victory.
"The kids have been resilient, and we have just put it all together at the right time," Genoa Central head coach Richard McMillan said. "Records don't count anymore. It has been win or go home, and here we are in the championship game."
Each team has scored a total of 26 runs over the course of the state tournament.
The Dragons beat Harrisburg, 10-4, in the first round, shut out Mansfield, 11-0, in the quarterfinals, and punched their ticket to the championship game with a 5-2 semifinal victory over Paris.
The Ramblers began their run with an 11-0 shutout over Glen Rose, a 9-4 victory against Palestine-Wheatley, and downed Baptist Prep, 6-1, in the semifinals.
"We have great support from families, the community and the school administration," McMillan said. "The kids have never lost faith in one another."
Genoa Central, a No. 4 seed, features five senior starters-Raegan Keith, Kelsey Mattson, Madison Banister, Savanah Binkley and Braylee Hagan.
Keith will toe the rubber for the Dragons, and freshman Josie Walls is the catcher.
Mattson is the first baseman, Banister plays second, Binkley is the shortstop, and junior Olivia Cross is at third.
Hagan is in right field, sophomore Kallie Minter is in center, and sophomore Faith Green plays left.
"The pressure is on Rose Bud," McMillan said. "They are the No. 1 seed and are expected to win. They have a good team and are one of the deepest hitting ball clubs that we have faced all year.
"It will be a tough game. It is all about having an opportunity to win the game at the end. We had chances late in other games and took advantage. We are going to try to capitalize on chances again."