HOULKA - Against a lineup filled with big hitters, Smithville ace Kami Roberts kept the Houlka Lady Wildcats' bats quiet in the opening game of the Class 1A fastpitch softball state semifinals.

Roberts struck out 10 while giving up five runs on four hits and six Lady 'Noles errors in five innings of work in a 14-5 win over Houlka on Thursday.

The offense cranked out 14 hits including a trio of singles and a pair of RBI from Lakin Wigginton while the opportunistic Lady 'Noles turned six Lady Wildcat errors into six runs.

"We were prepared, but mentally and physically we fell apart ... we just couldn't make the plays when we needed to," said Houlka head coach Vickie Homan.

Smithville (25-2) jumped out to a 7-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third before Houlka (12-8) finally adjusted to the speed of Roberts to manufacture four runs on two-run singles from Candiace McIntosh and Marissa Hobson.

The two teams battled to an 8-4 contest until Smithville was able to put the game away scoring a pair of runs in the sixth on a two-run single by Jordan Northington.

"We are not clicking on all cylinders right now... we are making too many mistakes on defense and giving up hits when we are not suppose to," Smithville head coach Jeremy Duke. "It's a win and I'll take it, but we didn't play well."

It will be a quick turnaround for both teams as Game 2, and Game 3 if needed, shift to Smithville tonight. The games were moved up so Houlka could run in a regional track meet Saturday.

"With a win already in our pocket it's going to be tough for them to come over and get two wins at our place," Duke said.

Said Houlka's Homan: "Smithville is a good team. They are solid all the way through their lineup, but all-in-all, I still think we can play with them."