"I told them that's it's one of the best experiences you'll ever have in high school --- playing in the Final Four, playing for the chance to win a state title," said Heckemeyer, whose unranked Hornets (15-5) will meet top-ranked Walnut Grove (22-1) in the semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at CarShield Field in O'Fallon.

"I enjoyed it, these kids are going to enjoy it, and our fans are going to enjoy it just as much. It's really exciting. From the moment we won districts on, everybody's been excited and the fans, the community, have all been behind us."

Actually, upon further review, these fans have been behind the Hornets since the opening pitch on opening day, Heckemeyer said. And they stayed behind the Hornets despite of a sluggish 1-3 start.

"Our basketball season didn't finish how we wanted (losing in the district finals)," Heckemeyer said, "but we rallied the troops for baseball season. We had a rough start, but our fans have stayed behind us, because they knew we had good things coming our way."

It was after a 9-8 loss to California on April 6 when this season started to turn.

"We were 1-3," Heckemeyer said, "and then all of a sudden, the weather started changing and getting warmer, we started putting in more work, and our kids became more focused."

Next thing you know, here they are.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

YOU USUALLY GO WITH YOUR ACE as often as possible in high school baseball, and this semifinal test will be no different for the Hornets.

Heckemeyer just doesn't know what ace to play.

"I probably have three guys who can be our No. 1," he said. "We've worked hard with them and coach (Jacob) Koelling and he's done a great job getting them ready."

The terrific trio consists of senior Dakota Kemna (3-0, 1.47 ERA); senior Mason Kemna (4-0, 2.66, no relation to Dakota); and junior Aaron Blomberg (4-3, 1.24, one save), who pitched a five-hitter to get the win in the Hornets' 12-2 quarterfinal rout of Silex.

Those three are the foundation for the staff's eye-popping team ERA of 2.14.

"They've been good all year, ever since our first game," Heckemeyer said. "And our defense has backed them up."

The offense is no slouch, either --- the team batting average is .346.

"We have really good patience at the plate, working the pitchers and trying to get our pitch," Heckemeyer said. "And once we get our bats going, it can carry through 1-9."

But Dakota Kemna, the No. 3 hitter, is the clear leader with his gaudy .561 average.

.561.

Is he playing slowpitch softball?

"I'm guessing the baseball," Heckemeyer said, "is probably looking like a softball to him."

Kemna is tied for the team lead with two home runs, and he leads the Hornets in doubles (10), RBI (19) and runs scored (26).

"He's been productive for us all year," Heckemeyer said. "He's a tough out."

The leadoff man is sophomore Nolan Heckemeyer (a distant cousin of the head coach), who's batting .354 --- but his on-base percentage is .468. Along with his 23 hits, he's walked a team-high 13 times and is second in runs scored with 24.

"When he's getting on --- and I wouldn't say it's a guaranteed run --- but we normally get him around and he scores," Caleb Heckemeyer said. "When he gets going, that gets our team going."

Blomberg bats second and is hitting .368 with eight doubles and 12 RBI, while sophomore Coltin Green bats clean-up and is hitting .417 with one homer and 17 RBI. Also, keep an eye on freshman Dylan Wobbe, who's at .315 with two home runs, six doubles and 14 RBI.

Now, it's game time. What to expect? The Hornets should listen to one who knows.

"You have to enjoy the moment," Caleb Heckemeyer said. "Don't be nervous, don't be scared. Just go out there and play ball and stay focused, and good things can happen.

"Hopefully, we can go up there and win two more games."

If they do, wow ... talk about a Hornet buzz.