Ottawa High softball coach Renee Malburg wasn’t sure about the state’s softball record books, but she certainly was preaching to her team that it could make history this weekend anyway.

After winning the Class 4A title last season, the Cyclones are trying to triumph in Class 5A this weekend in Winfield.

“I thought it might be one for the history books,” Malburg said with a laugh. “Maybe we’ll try it.”

Malburg’s proclamation was accurate because no team has won consecutive state titles after going up a class since Kansas State High School Activities Assn. moved to a five-tier championship classification system for softball in 1998.

But first things first. The eighth-seeded Cyclones (16-6) have to get by top-seeded Wichita Carroll (21-1) at 5 p.m. today at Winfield’s Broadway Recreation Complex.

“We definitely saw a step up in competition last week at regionals from last year,” Ottawa sophomore pitcher Megan Ramsey said. “But we also think we have the kind of team that can go out and beat anyone.”

If Ottawa’s baseball team wants to win a state title, it, too, would have to go through the Golden Eagles.

The Cyclones (15-5) take on Wichita Carroll (17-5) today at 6:30 p.m. also at Broadway.

“They have a very good pitching staff, and I heard all nine in their lineup can put the ball in play pretty well,” Ottawa coach Shawn Herrmann said of Carroll. “It’s going to be a tough challenge.”

But it’s one last shot for six seniors — including Andrew Maxwell, who hit .604 this spring. He also was a top pitcher, going 5-1 with a 1.28 ERA.

Seniors Clint Bones, Lance Fuller and Andrew Miller were All-Huron League nominees.

While the Cyclone softball team’s chances might seem slim because of Carroll’s seeding, Ottawa fans have seen Ramsey go almost all season without giving up a run.

The sophomore, who is only two strikeouts behind the 201 she tallied last season, gave up just one earned run in 97 innings.

“My goal was to go all season without letting anyone score,” said Ramsey, whose bettered her ridiculous 0.10 ERA from last year with a 0.06 this season.

With that kind of force on the mound and catcher Ali Brimboecom — who didn’t allow a single steal this season, while hitting .359 with 15 RBIs — the Cyclones’ battery is pretty bold.

At the plate, Ramsey led a team that has five seniors, hitting .431 with 16 RBIs and 17 runs scored. But Malburg said it would be Ramsey’s arm that might give the Cyclones a shot at something special.

“You gotta let your ace go out there the whole time, if you can,” Malburg said.

“She was outstanding last year and even more remarkable this year. Megan is a big gun, who might just help us get the job done.”