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Ray Harris took over as the new coach for the Shiner St. Paul Lady Cardinals this season and his main obstacle to overcome was low expectations.

“Nobody expected us to do anything,” Harris said. “We lost seven starters off last year’s team. It was supposed to be sort of a rebuilding year.”

The Lady Cardinals have rebuilt themselves all the way to their seventh TAPPS state tournament berth in the last eight seasons. St. Paul (17-7) will face Bellville Faith Academy at 1 p.m. today in the Class 1A/2A semifinals on Field No. 1 at the Waco ISD complex.

Bellville Faith Academy is making its second straight appearance at the state tournament. The Knights lost in the semifinals last season.

“I don’t know very much about them,” Harris said. “We did have a chance to see them at our tournament earlier in the season. All I know is they’re a pretty scrappy bunch.”

Pitcher Jill McElroy (13-2) was one of only two starters back from last season’s team that ended a five-year streak of state tournament berths for the Lady Cardinals.

“To only have two starters back and get where we’re at is quite an accomplishment,” Harris said.

“The girls are very excited and ready to go.”