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This stuff never gets old for Hallettsville Sacred Heart’s Emily Gallia, Stephanie Tobola and Heather Saunier.

The three will be making their fourth straight trip to the TAPPS state softball tournament today when the Indianettes face the San Antonio Keystone Cobras at 4 p.m. in the Class 3A semifinals at the Waco ISD complex.

“It always feels like the first one because new teams have new expectations and you never know how the state tournament will turn out,” said Saunier, who plays second base and shortstop for the Indianettes.

The Indianettes won the 3A title last year behind the senior leadership of Michele Sevcik and Sara Steinocher. This season, Gallia, Tobola, Saunier, Casey Leopold, Kendra Krupala, Miranda Fojt, Erin Krischke and Sara Grahmann have guided Sacred Heart to its eighth straight tournament appearance.

“We had big shoes to fill, but I think we’ve done really well,”Gallia said. “This one is very special. It’s our last opportunity to do this and the last chance to play with my friends.”

“A lot of us, probably seven of the eight of us, play together every summer, so we know each other’s talents and strengths and weaknesses,” Tobola said.

Sacred Heart (16-11) hasn’t played a game since beating Greenville Christian in the regional playoffs on April 28.

“One of my concerns is our long layoff,” Sacred Heart coach Pat Henke said. “Our last two practices were great.”

San Antonio Keystone beat Amarillo San Jacinto 19-3 in the regional playoffs. The Cobras will present a different challenge for the Sacred Heart defense.

“They have a bunch of left-handed hitters who like to slap the ball,” Henke said. “They play a lot of small ball. They only have one real power hitter. ”

All of the Indianettes’ 11 losses came against teams that are still in the TAPPS or UIL playoffs.

“We’ve played some good teams and lost a lot by one or two runs,” said Henke, who hopes his team advances to Saturday’s 4 p.m. title game in Belton against the Bullard Brook Hill-Fort Worth Bethesda winner. “We’re gelling at the right time. I’m not worrying about record right now. I’m just worrying about our next two games.”