Geographically, Lafayette Harrison isn’t exactly close to Floyd Central, but the Highlanders shouldn’t have to look far to size up the team that will be their first-ever state finals opponent.

It’s as easy as looking into the mirror.

The Raiders and Highlanders, similar in both personnel and postseason pedigree, will meet in the first of two Class 4A state semifinals at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis on Friday night, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30. Center Grove (31-3) will play Lowell (23-10) immediately following the opener. The survivors will square off for the biggest prize in Indiana prep softball on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Both Floyd and Harrison have dominated thus far in their postseason runs despite lacking the record of tournament success possessed by a team like Center Grove, which has made 11 appearances in the state finals and captured four championships. The Raiders are making their first trip to the final four since 1989 and just their third overall, while the Highlanders are the only team still alive in Class 4A that will be making its finals debut.

The foes also sport similar records and have advanced through the first two rounds of the postseason by demonstrating a maturity beyond the years of their players. The Raiders, champions of their own sectional tourney and the Pendleton Heights Regional, did not allow a run in two sectional victories and easily bested Homestead in the regional final, 5-0.

The Highlanders made the final by beating their two sectional foes by an identical combined score of 6-0 and took down Columbus North and Plainfield to win the regional tournament that they hosted. Floyd has surrendered just four runs in its four postseason games; Lafayette has yielded just six.

Much of the reason for both teams’ dominance can be found on the pitcher’s mound, where things are also eerily similar.

“They’ve got two good pitchers, just like we do, and they like to use them both,” said Floyd coach Joe Witten. “They’ve got one (junior Brooke Jordan) who has good control and a great strikeout-to-walk ratio. The senior they have (Morgan Stephens) throws a little bit harder. They are very much like our, in that they compliment each other well.”

Floyd will counter with its dynamic sophomore duo of Jordan Batliner and Samantha McClure, the latter of which will likely be the starter. McClure has been magnificent in the postseason thus far, running her overall earned-run average on the year to 0.76 in 119 innings. She has struck out 140 with just 24 walks.

McClure’s split with Batliner (96 IP, 0.80 ERA, 89 K, 17 BB) is more even than that of Stephens and Jordan, though both have been solid all year. Stephens is 13-5 with a 0.90 ERA in 139 innings, striking out 210 with 53 walks. Jordan (11-2, 85 IP, 0.74 ERA) will probably not start, but will surely be available should the Raiders’ ace get into trouble.

The coincidences don’t end there. The teams have nearly the same record, with Floyd coming in at 23-6-1 and Harrison at 24-7. Their common opponent — Carmel — beat both by a one-run margin. Most importantly, their styles are enough alike that Witten is left feeling some butterflies.

“It’s scary because we’ve only run into a couple of teams that play like us and they’ve gotten the best of us,” he said. “You have to be cautious with them on the bases and be prepared for all the things they are going to throw at you.”

One of those tactics is simple — a stacked lineup.

The big hitter for the Raiders is catcher Ashley Courtney, a .405 hitter who provides the motor for the offense. Courtney easily leads Harrison in extra-base hits with eight doubles and nine triples, has smacked three homes runs and has 25 RBIs. Only Jordan, with a .344 average and 11 RBIs comes close to matching her production.

“Their major power comes from a couple of players,” Witten said. “That makes them an interesting matchup. Their No. 2, 3 and 4 hitters aren’t slouches, either.”

The numbers appear to show a slight edge for the Highlanders. Seven of Floyd’s starting nine hit .300 or better and each spot brings a different threat. Batliner provides the power, with a .414 average and four homers, while players like shortstop Brittany Mills, Jenna Mackin and Meghan McRae hurt opponents with their speed. McClure is a power threat with a.359 average, eight doubles and two homers, while Cherrod Gwaltney is an all-state caliber all-around threat.

It’s an offense that provides confidence to a young Highlander team with only three seniors on the roster. And confidence may be at a premium in the pressure cooker of the finals, particularly when Floyd stayed at home for the regional.

To prevent the jitters, Witten says he hopes his squad will play defense first, get into a groove and then play its game. A game that Lafayette will also be aware of, so long as it looks in the mirror.

Still, this Floyd team has an identity all its own, being the first in a series of highly-touted Highlander clubs under Witten to finally break through the regional barrier. In that way, Floyd can stand on its own.

“I wouldn’t trade this team for anyone,” Witten said.