KARNS CITY — Sometimes, talent trumps experience.

That was the case on Tuesday in Karns City’s 12-4 District 9 Class AA softball quarterfinal victory over Cranberry, which boasted three senior starters who helped the defending champion Berries reach the D-9 title game the previous three seasons.

The Gremlins hope the trend can continue.

Karns City doesn’t have a senior on the squad and only three juniors are listed on the roster. Yet, the Gremlins are one win away from the District 9 championship game.

Karns City, the No. 4 seed, travels to top-ranked Redbank Valley today for a semifinal matchup starting at 4:30 p.m.

Three freshmen played key roles in Tuesday’s win over the Berries, while the lineup also featured four sophomores and just two juniors.

LeeAnn Gibson — a freshman who pitched seven solid innings and went 4-for-5 with a triple as the leadoff batter on Tuesday — is looking forward to squaring off with the No. 1 Bulldogs.

“We’re definitely excited. We’re confident going in and we’re ready to go,” said Gibson. “I was doing pretty good (Tuesday) and hopefully I can keep it up for Redbank.”

Ashley Coon is another influential freshman who played shortstop and hit in the No. 3 hole on Tuesday. She ripped a two-RBI single in the second and belted a pitch to center field later in the game, but it was hauled in on a leaping catch.

Taylor Downs — also a freshman — ripped a single, double and triple during the playoff victory.

Karns City coach Buddy Gibson knows his team possesses plenty of skill, but says it’s the product of commitment.

“They all do the work in the offseason. They play through the summer and some of them do some winter things,” said the coach. “They work hard to get where they’re at. They deserve it.”

The Gremlins (12-5) were up and down throughout the season, but proved to be as good as anybody in the district depending on the day.

Karns City split two regular-season meetings apiece with No. 1 Redbank Valley and No. 2 Moniteau.

“We’re definitely a young team,” said LeeAnn Gibson, “but when we’re playing good, we’re really good.”

Although the inexperienced squad is enjoying a strong campaign, the Gremlins appear poised to be contenders in the future, as well.

“I think we’re going to be really, really good in the next couple of years,” said Downs. “We’re doing so well as a young team.”

Buddy Gibson is certainly looking forward to watching the team blossom.

“I’m pumped. We’ve got some good girls, there’s no doubt about it,” said the coach. “They put their time in and they work at it.”