LOUISVILLE — Legacy’s Shelby Babcock had just finished pitching in fog, sub-50-degree temperatures and a persistent mist/rain mix when she was asked how she’d react if a similar weather pattern hit the area for next weekend’s Class 5A state softball tournament.

“That would be perfect,” the Legacy junior said.

The reigning All-Colorado pitcher of the year might be in the minority in that thought process, but there was no disputing her success in the elements Saturday in Region 5 action at the Louisville Complex. In guiding the Lightning to two wins and a berth in the tourney, Babcock was unhittable.

She threw a no-hitter in a 10-0 second-round win against Loveland, racking up 14 strikeouts in six innings. In the opener, a 12-1 win against Palmer, Babcock struck out all nine batters she faced before taking the final two innings off.

Add it all up and it’s nine innings, no hits, 23 strikeouts and two wins. Not bad considering the conditions were so brisk that many players wore woolly hats and bulky sweatshirts beneath their jerseys.

“I just feel I’m more prepared for cold weather,” Babcock said. “I get more warm in my warm-ups. “

The Lightning batting order also could be described as warm, or perhaps scalding hot, as several players posted gaudy numbers. Against Loveland, second baseman Melissa Marcovecchio went 3-for-4 with three RBI, catcher Buggs Torrez was 3-for-4 with two RBI and Babcock went 2-for-3 with three knocked in. In the Palmer game, Shae Rodriguez clubbed a grand slam and finished 2-for-2 with five RBI.

While Legacy (19-2) secured its spot at state, the Region’s other state qualifier won’t be determined until Monday. Loveland and Palmer (each 1-1 Saturday) had their state qualifier moved to Monday at 4 when the persistent rain led to mud-bogged conditions.

Also taking place at Louisville Complex was Region 8, where Bear Creek won a pair of games to clinch a tournament berth. It was fitting, considering Legacy and Bear Creek are the teams that met in the championship game last season, with Legacy winning 2-0.

Unlike Babcock, Bear Creek pitcher Mallorie Sulaski was not a fan of the cold-and-wet conditions.

“I hope there’s better weather next week,” Sulaski said. “It’s always difficult for everyone when it’s cold out.”

Things didn’t appear overly difficult for Sulaski, as she struck out six in a 4-0 first-round win against Horizon then fanned 11 more in an 8-4 win against Fort Collins in the second round.

Bear Creek (17-3) was entrenched in a tight one against 30th-seeded Horizon, as the upset-minded Hawks trailed only 1-0 in the latter going. But Bear Creek used successive triples from Kaylee Moody and Bri Pearson to kick-start a three-run sixth and give the Bears some breathing room.

The Bears darted to an 8-0 lead against Fort Collins, thanks to a 3-for-3 performance by Pearson, a 2-for-2 day at the plate by Sulaski, and a two-run double by Danielle Brown that capped a five-run third. Fort Collins sliced the deficit in half by getting all four of its runs in the fifth, a flurry capped by a two-run homer by Nicole Steinle, but couldn’t draw any closer.

Bear Creek now has won 16 of 17 after beginning the season 1-2.

“We definitely started off a little weak, but we’ve been coming through and proving ourselves ever since,” Sulaski said.

Like Region 5, the Region 8 qualifier game was moved to Monday at 4. Fort Collins and Pomona will meet with a trip to state in the balance.