Day 1 at the Smith Softball Complex in Hastings was a historic one with three schools — Omaha Benson, Grand Island Northwest and York — all winning their first-ever games at the 20th annual event.

Two teams in each of the three classes also were eliminated Wednesday, none more surprisingly than Class A’s No. 1 team, Millard West. After losing a 5-4, 9-inning thriller to Benson in the Bunnies first-ever state tournament appearance, the Wildcats struggled mightily from the mound in dropping a 12-11 decision to Grand Island.

Today at 10 a.m. winners bracket games in Class A and B start the most hectic day of the tournament as each field of six remaining teams is halved to three for Friday’s championship round.

Join me today at Omaha.com on our state softball chat, a spirited, interactive conversation that focuses mainly on softball but occasionally veers away to other pop culture topics. What never stops are instant updates on the games in progress. Roughly 12 consecutive hours of fun. Hope to see you there.