SPANISH FORT, Alabama — The Spanish Fort Lady Toros as a team have not been to Lagoon Park in a while, but five of their players have. Seniors Lexi Allen, Brianna Owens, Taylor Nail, Tara Wilkinson and Morgan Yates made the trip to the Elite Eight as eighth-graders and freshmen.

Known as the Fab Five, the girls have been part of the varsity softball team since the seventh grade, but have failed to make it back to the state tournament since 2009. The Toros play Mortimer Jordan today at 10:30 a.m. in the first round of the 5A state softball tournament at Lagoon Park in Montgomery. If they win two games today, they can continue their quest for a title tomorrow. The championship round is set for 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Getting to step off the bus at Lagoon Park is more than the end of a ride. For Alabama softball players, it’s the culmination of all their hard work, but the beginning of their main season goal—Part two.

Toros coach Sean Womack said his girls earned the berth and if they play their best ball, have a shot at playing both days—making the final rounds.

“They’re excited. I’m excited for them. We’re having kind of sloppy practices, but there is so much going on right now with five seniors getting ready for graduation. But if they will just get focused and play like we played last Friday at Gulf Shores (Regionals) we should be in good shape. We played to win. But then on Saturday we played like we had punched out ticket and just played not to lose.

“I just don't want them to settle for just making it to the state tournament even though that was a main goal they set and they achieved it. And I’m proud of them. But I want them to get off that bus ready to get after it. Because when they play like they are capable, I’ll put them up against anybody. So I want them to set their sights higher now.”

Spanish Fort reached the state tournament after a runner-up finish in last week’s 5A South Region tournament in Gulf Shores. The Toros tore through the first day with an unblemished record but fell to St. Paul’s in the region finals.

“If that same team plays (up there) that played last Friday they can do it. But all the teams there deserve to be there, not just us. It’s no fluke. So we have to play sound in all three phases to be successful. Hitting, playing defense and mak-

ing good pitches is what it all comes down to. And if we are solid in all key phases, I think we have just as good a chance as anybody and we’ll be playing Friday.”