OAK RIDGE, Mo. (KFVS) - For the first time in school history, Oak Ridge is headed to the Missouri state softball championships.

The Bluejays earned their berth in the final four, following a district title win over Oran and a sectionals win at South Pemiscot, guaranteeing their place in school record books.

Oak Ridge school district and the community celebrated the occasion Sunday, turning out despite thunderstorms, to send the team off to Springfield with cheers.

Before the bus left the parking lot, head coach Zach Pobst and players spoke about the team’s community-driven support, which has helped them to a program-best 24 wins.

“They’ve backed the girls all year and it’s just great to have them send them off to state... We aren’t gonna let the weather get us down,” Pobst said. “We’re gonna get on that bus and we’re going to go give it everything we got.“

Freshman pitcher Kaelyn Deckerd agreed, noting that the support has helped fuel the team to 22 wins in its last 23 games.

“They’ve been backing us up since the first home game and even now backing us up at state,” Deckerd said.

Deckerd added, “It feels really good actually, that we have so much support and everybody believes in us.”

Seniors Madyson Ruehling and Madalyn Schemel played on teams with varying levels of success.

When they started their playing careers, the program was mired in a decade-long losing slump.

But the girls and their teammates never quit improving, turning the program around with a winning record, and now, a realisting shot at a state title.

“We definitely need to stay working as a team and just play as a team, and it’s not a single person’s fault. It’s a team,” Ruehling said on what the team had to do entering state.

Schemel added, “Up until this point, it’s been easy, but it’s going to start getting harder and we’re going to start seeing better pitching and everything.” I just think if we keep calm, we should be able to do good things... we deserve to be there so we’re gonna play like it.”

In the semifinal match-up, No. 2 Oak Ridge will play No. 5 Lockwood at Meador Park in Springfield on Tuesday, May 27 at 10 a.m.

Softball teams from Bernie and Kennett will also play in the state tournaments.

No. 4 Bernie, also in the Class 1 final four, faces No. 1 Concordia, also Tuesday at 10 a.m. in Meador Park.

The Lady Mules also received a celebratory sendoff, as they prepared to leave for their second straight state appearance.

In Class 2, No. 4 Kennett’s match against No. 3 Diamond is now set for Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Meador Park.