Uncharted territory doesn't faze Rockets

South Milwaukee - It was a celebration that hasn't happened in 12 years.

Aly Pinkos's voice was bubbling over with excitement.

Robyn Primrose's smile was as big as the hits she has contributed.

The cheers from the South Milwaukee parents and supporters probably have not stopped.

These emotions were contagious with the entire South Milwaukee softball team, because, after all, history like this isn't made everyday.

The Rockets continued their improbable run through the WIAA Division 1 postseason tournament when they dismantled Greenfield and Oak Creek, perennial powerhouses, on back-to-back days to earn its first trip to the state tournament since 1998.

"It feels great to be one of the last teams that are playing," coach Heather Hanson said after her team eliminated Oak Creek in the sectional finals, 11-1, on June 10.

Hanson's Rockets (17-7) begin their state tournament at 11 a.m. Thursday at Madison's Goodman Diamond against Watertown (23-3), a team that has been just as hot as the Rockets during the playoffs.

But South Milwaukee isn't fazed that it will once again be the underdog against a squad that advanced to the state semifinals last year.

"I would say this team is capable of beating anybody when we're focused," Hanson said.

They certainly have been focused the last couple weeks.

After cruising past their first two opponents in the WIAA playoffs, the Rockets weren't necessarily the favorite coming out of the Greenfield Sectional.

"We didn't know what to expect coming in because regional and sectional games are completely different than regular season games," Primrose said.

Indeed they are.

Greenfield, the top seed and the host school, had already defeated the Rockets on two separate occasions.

But the Rockets didn't worry about the past, and defeated the Hawks, 8-6, in 12 innings.

As big as that victory was, the Rockets were not done.

However, if the Rockets were going to advance to state, Hanson's fourth-seeded team would have to upset another team it lost to during the regular season.

Just a few weeks ago, Oak Creek defeated South Milwaukee, 7-2.

The tide had turned, and the Rockets put on a dominating display of offense and got timely pitching from Pinkos, who went the distance a day earlier against Greenfield.

Junior second baseman Kelsey Matuszak and Primrose were a combined 7 for 7 with six RBI to lead the Rockets, who pounded out 15 hits in five innings.

"We had a couple of down points during the season, but I'd say our bats have been strong all the way through," said Hanson, whose team has averaged 10.25 runs per game during its four playoff games. "This is a team that has that ability when they have that focus."

Pinkos, one of five Rockets to also graduate high school later that night, would also not be stopped against the Knights.

She struck out three and prevented Oak Creek, which scored first in the top of the first inning, from mounting any rally.

"It was a big day for my high school career," a beaming Pinkos said. "I think if we keep going with the momentum we have, no one can beat us."

It wasn't always this way for the Rockets.

They were 8-12 last year and stumbled to a four-game losing streak during the regular season after a 5-0 start.

They also ended the regular season on a three-game skid.

But with the Rockets on the heels of the state tournament, Hanson wanted to make sure her players knew what they could accomplish.

"I took the girls into our hallway where we have all the sectional and regional plaques hanging, and we talked about being apart of history and making history," she said. "I encouraged them to make history, and they stepped up to that challenge in a big way."