It’s been a road through adversity all spring for the Hayfield softball team, so it was fitting that it would have to fight through another challenge to get back to its second straight Class A state tournament.

The Vikings lost the first game of the Section 1A finals 20-8 to Wabasha-Kellogg, but they bounced back to win the second game 12-4 over the Falcons (17-11 overall) to keep their season alive and get back to state.

Sophomore Jacie Gustine, who had a handful of starts in the regular season picked up the state clinching win when she scattered nine hits. Gustine wasn’t sure if she was going to see time in the circle Thursday, but when she found herself warming up before game two, she knew it was time to step up.

“It was kind of a scramble. You never know, but I was prepared. I trust who’s behind me on defense,” Gustine said. “We were positive the entire time [between games]. We let everybody know that we wanted this and we were going to get it.”

The Vikings opened strong in the second game when they scored five runs in the top of the first and they cruised from that point. Maggie Streightiff had six RBIs on the day for Hayfield sophomore Kate Kruger had a big day at the plate as she finished 5-for-9 with two doubles, a homer and five RBIs.

“This is everything we’ve worked for all year long,” Kruger said. “We were kind of down after the first game, but after that first inning of the second game we were pushed up.”

Hayfield (18-8 overall) lost starting shortstop Kyal Heydt for the season due to injury and seniors. Heydt was one of the top hitters on last year’s team.

Grace Mindrup, a catcher, and Jackie Sanvick, have battled injuries throughout the year.

“It’s cool how the injured still pushed the rest of the team on,” Hayfield head coach Jana Wagner said. “They’re doing their coaching style even when they’re not playing and somebody else is in their spot. Then they’re ready to play when they’re all better.”

The Vikings didn’t win a game at state last season and they’re hoping to have a better run this time around. The Vikings will open state tournament play

against Cherry (20-4 overall), which has played in the last seven state tournaments. Hayfield and Cherry will play 1 p.m. June 9 at Caswell Park in Mankato.

WK 4 2 0 4 0 4 6 — 20 21 2

Hayfield 0 0 5 2 0 1 0 — 8 10 5

Hayfield pitching: Jackie Sanvick (L) 7 IP, 21 H, 2 BB, 20 R, 1 K, 3 HBP

Hayfield hitting: Carrie Rutledge, 0-for-4, SB, HBP; Alexis Dudycha, 1-for-4, 2 R; Grace Mindrup, 2-for-4; Maggie Streightiff, 3-for-4, 3 RBIs; Olivia Matti, 1-for-3, 2 RBIs, R, HBP; Kelly Johnson, 1-for-3, R; Kate Kruger, 2-for-4, double, HR, 3 RBIs; Gustine, 1-for-4; Sanvick, 0-for-3; Jenna Jacobsen, 3 R; Nikki Cortez, 0-for-1

Hayfield 5 2 0 0 5 0 0 — 12 16 4

WK 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 — 4 9 1

Hayfield pitching: Gustine (W) 7 IP, 9 H, 4 R

Hayfield hitting: Rutledge, 2-for-5, 2 RBIs, SB; Dudycha, 2-for-4, RBI, 2 R; Mindrup, 2-for-3, R, BB; Streightiff, 3-for-4, 3 RBIs, 3 R; Matti, 3-for-4, 2 RBIs, R; Johnson, 1-for-4; Kruger, 3-for-5, double, 2 RBIs, R; Gustine, 0-for-3 R, BB; Jacobsen, 3 R