AUSTIN — On a map, Hermleigh and Chireno are separated by a mammoth 439 miles — a bus ride of six hours and 40 minutes. 

But in Tuesday’s Class 1A state semifinal at McComb’s Field, one crucial hit was all it took to separate the clubs — sending Hermleigh to the state title game as a 2-1 victor. 

Sydney Hancock delivered an RBI triple in the sixth inning (the only hit of the day for Hermleigh) and Summer Smith tossed a complete-game six-hitter to lead the Lady Cardinals (16-6), who will face D’Hanis (23-7-1) in Wednesday’s state title game at 4 p.m.