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Rivalry games don’t get much more insignificant than this, but just don’t tell that to Heritage and Salem.

The Lady Patriots downed the Lady Seminoles 5-1 on Thursday night in a game that meant something to the overall record books, but nothing in the scheme of the regional tournament. Earlier this week, due to the amount of cancelled games around the region, it was announced that only the season’s first half in-region games (already completed) would count toward qualifying teams for October’s regional tournament.

“These games have no meaning, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to go out there and try to win, especially against a team like Salem,” said Heritage coach Dickie Hightower.

And that’s just what they did thanks to one big offensive inning and a complete game on the mound from Nikki Walden.

Walden was on point early and throughout, holding the Noles to two hits over her first five innings-pitched. Walden finished with a complete game, five strikeouts, five hits and one earned run in the win.

Salem only scored in the sixth inning, which came after the squad had been deflated by Heritage’s three-run second inning. In that frame, Rachelle Stover’s two RBI double broke the inning open along with Chandler Shepherd’s RBI single, solidifying key offense from the bottom of Heritage’s order. Stover finished 1-for-2. Leadoff hitter Callie Alford was once again an integral table-setter, going 1-for-2 with a run, a single and three stolen bases.

“I never felt we really turned it on out there,” said Salem coach Stephanie Bassett.