Back on April 16, the Jefferson City Jays finished up a 1-3 weekend with an 11-2 loss to Lee's Summit West Titans in the River City Festival in Lawrence, Kan. It dropped the Jays to 15-5.
Just look at them now - having won 12 of their last 13 games and heading to the Final Four for the first time since 1992.
"That was probably the worst game of the year that we played," Jays coach Brian Ash said of the Lee's Summit West loss. "That's kind of a turning point for us after that game. After that game we kind of refocused, re-energized and realized, 'Hey, we can't just come out here and show up and expect to win.' Take it for what it's worth, but I think that kind of woke us up."
The Jays and Titans could meet again, either for third place or the Class 5 championship, depending on what happens today in the semifinals.
Jefferson City gets things started at 4:30 p.m. today against the Lindbergh Flyers at CarShield Field in O'Fallon, Mo. The Titans match up against the Francis Howell Vikings in the second semifinal at 7 p.m.
"I'd like to think we're as good as any of them," Ash said.
The rankings agree. Jefferson City, ranked fourth, is the only top nine team to reach the semifinals. Francis Howell is ranked 10th while the other two didn't receive votes in the final regular season tally.
"All the teams there, they've got to be doing something right," Ash said.
The Jays finally got it right this year. They were able to get over the Rock Bridge hurdle, defeating the Bruins 6-1 in the district title game to earn their first district championship since 2007.
Rock Bridge eliminated Jefferson City in the title game the previous two years.
"I think the relief of getting past districts and then getting to this point, I think it's some relief," Ash said. "Now they can just kind of, 'OK, we know we're good.' We've gotten over the hump as far as getting through districts and getting to this point. It's just been a little bit more calming to them and more relaxed."
Jefferson City downed Willard 5-2 in sectionals and followed it up with a dominating 9-1 win against Nixa in the quarterfinals.
To start this 12-of-13 run, the Jays predominately used pitching and defense, winning five straight games with three runs on the board.
"Early in the year and even middle of the year, we were kind of getting away with just pitching and defense, which is OK," Ash said. "That has never changed over the course of this whole year. We knew if we could finally start hitting the way we're capable of, we knew we could make a run and make a push at this thing."
The hitting came, and so did the playoff push.
Jefferson City has plated at least five runs in six of the past nine games.
"Credit to the kids for making some adjustments and changes in the cage and out here in batting practice," Ash said. "Just working on little things, getting runners over, getting runners in."
Getting runners in has not been easy for Lindbergh's opponents.
The Flyers have given up about four runs per game this season, but haven't allowed more than two in the postseason.
Junior left-hander Dustin Yingling may get the nod for the Flyers. He's 8-1 win a 1.80 ERA this season, including a no-hitter in a 5-1 sectional win against Jackson.
"To go out there and no-hit them, they're obviously doing some things right," Ash said. "We're going to have to play our best baseball. As good as we've played this year at times, we're going to have to play even better in this semifinal game."
Yingling is also one of the Flyers' best hitters, leading the team with four home runs and 24 RBI.
Junior left-hander Jacob Weirich will be on the hill for the Jays today. He's also 8-1 with a .97 ERA.
"We're hoping that he continues to do what he does and doesn't feel like he's got to go out there and throw a perfect game or no-hitter," Ash said. "If he does what he's been doing, I think we're going to be right there in the mix."
The third-place game is set for 10:30 a.m. Friday with the title game being played at 1:30 p.m.
The Jays are hoping to play at 1:30 p.m., earning them a chance to win a state baseball title for the first time since 1989.
"It'll be really, really sweet if we can finish the whole thing off," Ash said.