HUNTSVILLE -- Every year in the playoffs, a team rises up and proves that regular-season success isn't as important as catching fire in the playoffs.

Huntsville and its starting pitcher Shelby Smith did it Thursday night, downing second-ranked Brenham 2-0 at Bearkat Softball Stadium in the one-game Class 4A regional quarterfinal playoff.

Huntsville advances to play the winner of Nederland and Richmond Foster in the Region III semifinals.

Brenham, which was looking for its second consecutive trip to the state tournament, finished the season at 30-3. The Cubettes beat the Lady Hornets twice in the regular season, but on Thursday were victimized by Smith's third consecutive playoff shutout.

"We handled them pretty well in the regular season," Brenham coach Wade Wilson said. "We get into the playoffs and they give us a black eye, though. I give all the credit to them. They did a super job tonight."

Brenham pitcher Kaci Federwisch (18-3) pitched a complete game, giving up one earned run on five hits, striking out four and walking one.

"Kaci has been pitching this way all year," Wilson said. "She's lost 2-0 and 1-0. She's gone 18-3 for a reason now. It was our offense that didn't get it done tonight. The bottom line is Huntsville outplayed us."

Smith also allowed five hits, with two strikeouts, two walks and two hit batters. The Lady Hornets played outstanding defense to support her, making several fine plays to keep Brenham off the basepaths.

Cubette leadoff hitter Emily Albus singled to start the game, but she was thrown out on a stolen base attempt by catcher Nena Gibson on a failed bunt attempt.

"Emily getting thrown out at second was a big thing for us," Wilson said. "We couldn't get that bunt down, and we missed out on possibly a bunt single. My biggest questions heading into this game was what to do in the 2 hole and what to do if Emily got on base. Do I bunt her over or steal? I was hesitant to steal tonight with the field conditions being wet and a little slow. With the infield wet, the ball sits up nice and fluffy for the defenders to get to easier."

Another great defensive play ended Brenham's best chance to score. With one out in the fifth inning, Amy Balke hit flare over the second baseman's glove for a base hit to stop a streak of nine straight Cubettes retired by Smith.

After a strikeout, courtesy runner Alexus Curry went from first to third after Cori Gurka singled up middle. An intentional walk loaded the bases, but a hard liner went straight at third baseman Chantel Spretz, who caught it against her body to end the inning.

Huntsville in the bottom of the first inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Michelle McGill hit a grounder to Albus at shortstop. Albus threw home, but the runner slid in just ahead of the tag.

The Lady Hornets, who finished third behind Brenham in District 18-4A, in the sixth inning when an error on a pop fly let the runner score from second base.

Brenham had much more success than Wilson expected after losing a group of key seniors last year. The Cubettes will have to replace Ashley Curry, Carly Becker and Balke from this team.

"These seniors have won a lot of games, 135 or so, in their time here," Wilson said. "They've done a super job. Coming into this year, I would have been happy to be at .500. I'm glad I didn't tell the girls that, though, because they've definitely overachieved this year.

"They taught me a lesson, after I was moping around last season from losing that group. You never know what to expect."