You could say that the Logan High School girls’ softball team have already exceeded all expectations.

Expectations are always high for the tradition-rich Lady Cats’ softball program.

However, after losing several starters from last year’s team nobody knew just how Logan would do this season with new faces stepping into new starting roles.

Logan was also moving up in classification to Triple-A this spring for the first time since 2002.

Most thought the transition would be a smooth one as Randy Robinette was promoted again to head coach after six years as an assistant.

But to be 28-5, ranked No. 4 in the state in 3A and be just one game away from reaching the state tournament?

Probably not everyone predicted that.

But that’s just where the Lady Cats are at as Logan is scheduled to host Greenbrier East tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the Logan Softball Complex in the Class AAA Region 3 championship game.

Logan has simply been brilliant down the stretch.

In fact, the Lady Cats have recorded six straight shutout wins, including four in the post-season.

Logan disposed of No. 1-ranked and homestanding South Charleston in the sectional tourney, beating the Black Eagles 2-0 and 6-0 and also scored a 6-0 win over George Washington to win the crown. Logan then squeaked out a 1-0 victory last Thursday at home over a stubborn Capital team in the 3A regional semifinals.

Prior to the post-season, Logan blanked Nicholas County (7-0) and Sherman (7-0) to close out the regular season.

Logan is in fine shape heading into tonight’s game.

“This has been a really really good season and the kids have worked extremely hard,” said Robinette who coached Logan to state titles in 1986, 2001 and 2002 and was an assistant coach on the Lady Cats’ 2006 Double-A state title team. “We’re pleased with where we are at and to have this opportunity. We hope to achieve the goal of making it to the state tournament.”

The Lady Cats are led by ace pitcher Ali Neace, who missed most of last season due to injury and also missed a portion of this season with arm troubles.

Neace has been virtually unhittable this year. Neace has a 19-1 record and an ERA of 1.00.

“She’s had a real good year and she’s pitched a whole lot better since she came back from the injury that she suffered,” Robinette said.

Logan also has two more pitchers in freshmen Taylor Norman and Morgan Aguirre.

Several Lady Cats have also had good seasons at the bat and in the field, including: catcher Britta Aguirre; first baseman Hannah Vinson; second baseman Erica Kelley; shortstop Jessica Bias; third baseman Leonnah Browning; DP/catcher Katie Chryssofos; and outfielder Kristian Chryssofos.

“The entire lineup has contributed. Sometimes it’s been those at the top, sometimes at the middle and sometimes at the bottom,” Robinette said. “I think that we’ve been pretty consistent for the most part.”

Greenbrier East and Logan have not played each other this season. The Spartans advanced to the finals with a 9-7 victory last week over Nicholas County in the semifinal round.

East is led by veteran senior pitcher Erin Ramsey, pitcher Tessa Honaker and outfielder Katie Keaton. Honaker doubled twice and got the win on the mound in the victory over Nicholas County at Summersville. Keri Still also had two hits for Greenbrier East (15-12).

“They are a pretty good team and play in the Mountain State Athletic Conference,” Robinette said. “They’ve played all of the tough teams in that conference. They are a good team.”

Logan’s only losses were to Chapmanville twice (3-1 in 13 innings and 8-1 in the Cabell Midland Sluggerfest), Winfield (1-0), and Man twice (4-1 and 2-0).

Logan beat Chapmanville 1-0 on April 20 in a third meeting as Lady Tigers’ pitcher Andi Williamson was called for a balk with a runner at third base.

Both the county rival Lady Tigers and Lady Billies are also in regional championship action tonight in-county as Chapmanville hosts Herbert Hoover and Man hosts Buffalo. Logan, Chapmanville and Man all won Best of the Best Tournament championships earlier in the season at Buffalo. Logan downed Ripley 8-3 in the Class AAA final.

Ripley and Logan could be on a collision course at the state tourney if both are able to win tonight.

The Vikings play at Lincoln County tonight at 6 p.m. in the Class AAA Region 4 final. Wheeling Park plays at East Fairmont and Hedgesville plays at Bridgeport in other regional championship games tonight in Triple-A.

If Logan makes it to state, the Lady Cats would open play against the Region 4 champion (Ripley or Lincoln County) around noon on April 27 at Vienna’s Jackson Memorial Park.

A win there would push the Lady Cats into a 7 p.m. winner’s bracket game against either the Region 1 champ or the Region 2 team. Two wins on the first day of the state tourney would advance Logan into the 3A state finals which are set to be played on April 27 at 3:30 p.m.