The undefeated Oakville Senior High School softball team advanced to the Class 4 state semifinal game with a 2-1 win Saturday night over defending state champion Rockwood Summit at the Ballwin Athletic Association.

“I felt that we played them (Summit) tough and caught a couple of breaks and came out on top,” Oakville head coach Rich Sturm told the Call. “The girls realize that you can’t just turn it off and then turn it back on in the postseason.”

Over the past seven years, the Oakville softball team has reached the Missouri Class 4 state semifinal game four times and the state quarterfinal game the past four years.

The Tigers (29-0, 8-0 Suburban West) fell behind Saturday, but came back as Oakville starting pitcher Megan Schallom grabbed her 21st win of the season. She gave up just one run on five hits in seven innings. Schallom also struck out five batters and walked just one in the win.

“Every time there’s a tough situation, she just finds a way to be extremely tough,” Sturm said. “I can’t give enough credit to her.”

The Tigers found themselves down 1-0 after the second inning, but it was Rachel Schaefer who kick started Oakville in the fifth with a double to start the inning. But a strikeout by MacKenzie Madigan and a grounder to short by Amanda Schuchardt put Courtney Kennedy in a two-out situation with a runner on base.

Kennedy ripped a double down into the left-field corner to drive in Schaefer and tie the game 1-1.

“Courtney’s such a weapon for us in the leadoff spot,” Sturm said. “She’s a leadoff hitter that’s averaging a run scored in just about every game this season and she’s also a senior that shows up for every big game of the year.”

Oakville scored the go-ahead run in the sixth inning when Marissa Simon drew a walk and then advanced to second base on a wild pitch.

Oakville’s Julie Kernen struck out, but a shot to dead center field by Nicole Norberg helped Simon advance to third base.

Another wild pitch by Summit starting pitcher Kristin Nottelmann advanced Simon to home for the eventual game-winning run.

On Friday, the Tigers will face either Timberland (27-2) or Ozark (28-2) game.

That game, originally scheduled Saturday, was postponed to Monday — after the Call went to press — because of rain.

“Each and every one of the teams that is in the Final Four is having an outstanding season,” Sturm said. “For the first time ever, I’m going to be jumping in my car and heading to Jefferson City for that state quarterfinal game to scout both teams. Obviously, they’re both very good, so it’s going to be a battle for us.”

The Tigers’ state semifinal game is slated for 11 a.m. at the Rainbow Sports Complex in Columbia.