PONDER – Slow starts are nothing new for Ponder's baseball team. During its Class 2A Region II finals sweep against Brock last weekend, Ponder fell behind early in both games. Both games were decided in extra innings.

"I guess we like drama," sophomore starting pitcher Micah Easterling said.

Ponder (22-7) was not expected to make the playoffs before the season, but the team is two wins from a state championship. If it can beat Danbury (30-5) in the Class 2A semifinals Thursday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, it will play the winner between Holliday (29-3) and White Oak (27-7) for the title at noon Friday.

It's Ponder's first trip to the state tournament since 2004, when it lost in the title game. To get this far, Ponder had to overcome a losing start to the season.

After going 2-3 in nondistrict play, Ponder lost its first two games in District 10-2A.

"But we never got down on ourselves," coach Mark Low said. "That is the thing about this team. We have done a great job of never getting too high or too low."

After the rough start, Ponder reeled off nine consecutive wins, lost one more district game and has gone 7-0 in the playoffs.

Low, Easterling and starting pitcher Jeff Specht credit Ponder's 4-3 win against Pilot Point on March 24 as the turning point. Of course, the team came from behind, scoring all four of its runs in the final inning.

"We got momentum after that win," Specht said. "We kind of have carried it with us ever since."

Ponder's pitching staff is a big reason for the team's playoff run. Five pitchers have seen action, led by starters Specht, Easterling and Dalton Brown.

Low said he plans on using most or all of his pitchers in Austin. Easterling will start Thursday, he said.

"It is a different game when you make it to the state tournament," Low said. "There is a lot more intensity,and pitchers seem to tire easily because of the emotional rush."

Easterling said Ponder hasn't put much focus on the other three teams. "We just want to go play ball," he said. "And so far, that is what has worked for us in the playoffs."