Here's the breakdown for every Topeka-area team in the softball state tournament

TOPEKA — The state softball tournament begins this week. The best teams in the state will compete for the ultimate prize. Three Topeka-area teams will play for the crown with Washburn Rural, Seaman and Silver Lake competing.

The first round of the state tournament will begin Thursday. The semifinals, third place game and state championship will be played on Friday.

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Washburn Rural

The Junior Blues (18-7) enter the Class 6A State Tournament as the No. 6 seed. They will face No. 3 Blue Valley West (22-6) in the first round. Washburn Rural has won seven of its last nine games as it is hot entering the final weekend of play. It defeated Maize 8-1 in the regional championship on Thursday to advance.

This will be the first meeting between Washburn Rural and Blue Valley West this season. Last year, the Junior Blues reached the state championship where they lost 10-0 to Olathe West.

This is the first year under head coach Joy Marie Galliart. In her previous jobs, Galliart excelled in the Oklahoma state softball tournaments. Her experience will be needed for Washburn Rural’s run at glory.

Washburn Rural and Blue Valley West will play against each other in the University of Kansas’ Arrocha Ball Park. The first pitch between the two teams is set for 1 p.m.

Seaman

The Vikings will head south to Wichita for the Class 5A State Tournament. Seaman (22-6) is the No. 7 seed in this year’s tournament after winning the regional championship last Tuesday. The Vikings defeated Salina South 2-1 in a close victory to advance.

Seaman will take on No. 2 Maize South (25-3) in the first round. The Vikings have not played Maize South this season, but they are on a major hot streak. Seaman is on a nine-game winning-streak entering Thursday’s game.

The Class 5A State Tournament is hosted by Wichita State’s Wilkins Stadium. Seaman and Maize South’s contest will start at 3 p.m.

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Silver Lake

The cardiac kids of Class 3A continue their successful softball season on Thursday. Silver Lake edged Santa Fe Trail 1-0 in Wednesday’s regional championship thanks to McKinley Kruger’s walk-off bunt.

The Eagles (22-2) are the No. 4 seed in the tournament and they face No. 5 Cheney (19-2) to open the tournament. This is the first meeting this season between the two schools.

The Class 3A bracket is loaded with teams that know how to win. The entire bracket has a combined record of 169-25. The winner of this state title will need strong pitching and timely hitting.

The Class 3A State Tournament will be played at Envista Softball Complex in Topeka. Silver Lake and Cheney will meet with first pitch slated for 1 p.m.

Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.