HAYFIELD — The Hayfield softball team may be preparing for its first Class A state softball tournament in 21 years, but they’re not about to let it get to them.

They’e just happy they’re still playing.

“I think all we need to do is stay loose, which we’re pretty good at,” Hayfield junior Grace Mindrup said. “We don’t freak out about the little things that happen. It’s a good experience already just to still be practicing after school’s over and knowing we have a few games left.”

The Vikings (21-4 overall) will open state tournament play against New Life Academy of Woodbury (20-3 overall) 9 a.m. Thursday at Caswell Park in North Mankato. NLA has been the Class A state runner up the past two seasons and it is a perennial qualifier in the state tournament, but the Vikings aren’t coming into the tournament intimidated or scared.

They’re preparing to compete.

“It’s just another game. We’ll stay loose and we’ll be fine,” Hayfield head coach Jana Wagner said. “From the scouting reports I’ve gotten, we should be able to play with them.”

Wagner coached the last Hayfield team that went to state in 1994 and she said this squad is very similar to that team in that it is a young team with a couple of older veterans.

Hayfield freshman shortstop Kyal Heydt said the Vikings’ run has been a pleasant surprise this Spring and she never thought she’d be playing in a state tournament her freshman year.

“Being a freshman and having six freshmen starting it’s very, very surprising [to go to state],” Heydt said. “Grace and Jackie [Sanvick] help us with everything and they help us keep perspective.”

Sanvick, who is Hayfield’s starting pitcher, said the feeling is starting to kick in that the Vikings will actually play at the state tournament, but she’s not going to let excitement get the best of her.

“It’s just another game to me. I’m trying not to take it as too much,” Sanvick said. “We’ve just go to go and get it.”

If Hayfield wins, it will play the winner of Mankato Loyola (24-3 overall) and Edgerton/SW Christian at 3 p.m. If it loses, it will play in the consolation bracket.

HITTING IT HARD

Grace Mindrup .557, 3 HR, 9 doubles, 26 RBIs

Carrie Rutledge, .426, 8 RBIs

Bhrett Zahnle, .391, 4 HR, 25 RBIs

Kyal Heydt, .388, 5 HR, 10 doubles, 28 RBIs

Maggie Streightiff, .377, 6 doubles, 24 RBIs

Alexis Dudycha, .354, 5 doubles, 14 RBIs

Olviia Matti, .298, 2 doubles, 9 RBIs

Jackie Sanvick, .284, 1 triple, 15 RBIs

Kate Kruger, .275, 2 doubles, 23 RBIs

Lezlie Sorenson, .235, 3 doubles, 13 RBIs

PRECISE PITCHING

Jackie Sanvick, 156 IP, 2.11 ERA, 145 H, 39 BB, 70 K