The fifth-ranked Kaplan Lady Pirates have a chance do something special in Sulphur on Friday, as they face off with fourth-seeded Iowa in the Fastpitch 56 state softball tournament.

Game time is 6 p.m. on field 15.

Kaplan head coach Shay Herpin said he believes his team is up for the challenge ahead.

“I think we’re going to be ready,” said Herpin. “We’ve been having some good days at practice. I’m very pleased with the effort from our kids this week.”

The Lady Pirates (25-5, 11-1) have seen Iowa (22-6, 8-2) once this season when Kaplan won 5-1 at their home tournament.

“Their pitcher is really good,” said Herpin. “We just have to be patient and hit our pitch. We have to play our game and hopefully that’s good enough.”

The Lady Pirates punched their ticket to Sulphur with a 4-1 win hosting Albany on April 19. Herpin said that his team will likely need to be a little sharper in this game, though.

“Hopefully we’re not as nervous in this one,” said Herpin. “We didn’t quite make the plays that we needed to make or hit the ball like we needed to do.”

A Kaplan win would earn the Lady Pirates a berth in the semifinals on Saturday at 1 p.m. (field 17), possibly in a rematch with District 9-3A foe and co-district champion North Vermilion.