Arkansas 1A-5A softball roundup: Details on Thursday's first-round games
By Kyle Sutherland
Here is a recap of the first round of Arkansas high school softball tournament games from Class 1A-5A from Thursday. Be sure to follow the brackets to see the latest scores and matchups at https://scorebooklive.com/arkansas/softball/brackets.
1A
Calico Rock 16, Jasper 0
One of the first games of the day, and it only needed four innings as the Lady Pirates scored five runs in the first and second innings to take control quickly. They got the upset as a four-seed led by Lyric Stapleton who pitched a one-hit shutout.
Guy-Perkins 10, Mount Ida 0
Guy-Perkins only needed six innings to advance to the quarterfinals. Alyson Rooney tossed a no-hitter striking out 12 batters and walking only 2. Alexis Stewart went 3-4, scored two runs, and brought a run in while Alexis Passmore had a monster day at the plate going 2-4, scored two runs, and batted in five runs.
Wonderview 8, Ouachita 3
Each team traded a run in the first inning, then Wonderview took over from the third through the fifth frames and that was too much for Ouachita to overcome. Lydia Polk and Abbie Baker each went 2-4 at the plate and scored three runs combined. Raylee Slate went 2-3 with one run batted in and also scored a run for the Lady Warriors.
Armorel 11, Western Yell County 1
Western Yell County could not keep up with the offensive power of Armorel only scoring one run in the second while the Tigers got going early scoring six in the first two innings.
West Side Greers Ferry 16, Mulberry 0
This contest was over as soon as it began following a nine-run third inning that ended it via the sportsmanship rule. Ace pitcher McKenna Bittle was perfect in the circle striking out eight batters and went 2-2 at the plate with a home run and three runs batted in. Five of the nine batters in the Lady Eagles’ lineup notched multiple hits.
Taylor 10, Sacred Heart 3
In a rematch of last year’s final, Sacred Heart got out to a 1-0 lead, but it was short-lived as Taylor scored nine runs in the second and third inning, then added the last one in the fifth. Freshman Ayla Buford struck out nine batters and allowed only three hits. Maggie McHenry, Makayla Downs, and Mattison McClellend each recorded multiple hits while Downs smacked a home run.
Mt. Vernon-Enola 11, Bradley 10
Down 11-3 at the bottom of the sixth inning, Bradley came storming back to score seven runs in the frame and went into the seventh down by only a run. They were able to get two on base with one more opportunity to win but fell just short.
Mammoth Spring 28, County Line 5
Mammoth Spring does not have a football team, but they apparently can score like one. Senior Megyn Upton and sophomore Brynn Washam the Lady Bears put on an offensive clinic finishing the game in four innings including scoring 10 and 14 runs in the first and fourth.
2A
Melbourne 1, Woodlawn 0
In the biggest upset of the tournament on day one, South four seed Melbourne took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning on Natalie Brightwell’s home run, and that’s all the Lady Bearkatz would need. Woodlawn loaded the bases at the bottom of the seventh, but Melbourne was able to complete the upset. Brightwell pitched a complete game and struck out eight batters.
Fordyce 5, Cedar Ridge 1
The Redbugs were kickstarted in the first inning by Kendyl Kemp’s three-run homer and the offense was able to add two more and let Lauren Petty do the rest in the circle while the defense behind her took care of business not allowing an error. Kemp set the tone at the plate going 2-3 while Melanie Castillo had tallied three stolen bases.
Mansfield 5, Riverside 2
A young Riverside squad came on strong in regionals and their time will come soon, but Mansfield would not let that happen yet scoring as the Lady Tigers scored five runs in the first inning. Seven batters in Mansfield’s rotation reached base at least once with Natalie Allison and Harlie Fuller leading the team in runs batted in with two apiece.
Quitman 7, Junction City 2
Senior Riley Drake helped score the first two runs of the day and then most of the Lady Bulldogs joined in with all but two who stepped up to bat notching at least one hit on the afternoon. Madi Thompson was the offensive leader going 2-3 scoring two runs.
Tuckerman 10, Parker’s Chapel 0
Tuckerman has shutout three of its past four opponents and rode the arm of Hannah Nicholson Thursday who threw a no-hitter. The Lady Bulldogs fully expect to win three more games to clinch back-to-back state titles but must get past McCrory in the quarterfinals in a 2A No. 1 vs No. 3 match-up.
East Poinsett County 11, Cotter 1
EPC head coach Brandon Powell mentioned during regionals how he would like to see the top of his batting order pick up the pace and the entire lineup did that Thursday notching 17 hits including 3 each from leadoff hitter Terrin Powell, Jaycee Davis, and Brinley Brewer as this one ended after six innings. Ace Keegan McCorkle allowed just two hits and struck out nine batters.
McCrory 10, Flippin 4
Flippin struck first at the top of the second inning, but McCrory countered with five in the bottom of the third, then proceeded to score at least one each time out for the remainder of the game. Mckenzie Miller and Hadyn Brewer led the Lady Jags at the plate each going 2-4.
Lavaca 4, Rector 3
In the most thrilling 2A game of the day, it was tied at one early on before Lavaca took a 3-1 advantage into the top of the second when Rector tied it on a two-run single by Madison Wolfenbarger that eventually forced extra innings. A sacrifice bunt along with two intentional walks would doom the Lady Cougs as Lavaca’s Rylie Green walked to first base to walk off the game and advance to the next round.
3A
Bald Knob 3, Valley Springs 0
Bald Knob had the only offensive production in the entire game scoring three runs in the first inning on RBIs from Mady Shoebottom and Claudia McAnelly, who had two. Shoebottom per usual took care of the duties in the circle striking out nine batters while allowing five hits to help the Lady Bulldogs clinch their ninth-straight quarter finals appearance.
CAC 2, Ashdown 1
Things started off well for CAC taking an early 1-0 lead in the second inning, but Ashdown came storming back in the third to score two runs and then allowed the defense to handle the rest. Jeana Parades and Kylie Erwin each went 2-3 at the plate, Erwin batted in two runs.
Mayflower 4, Smackover 3
Smackover took a 3-1 lead into the top of the seventh inning, but this young and hungry Mayflower team was not ready to head home, so they responded. Haley Duvall scored on a Smackover error to cut the lead to one and during the next at-bat Isabella Immel smashed a two-run home run to give Mayflower the lead. The Lady Bucks got two runners on but were unable to complete the comeback.
Lincoln 15, Hoxie 3
Lincoln did not skip a beat coming off a high-scoring, emotional loss to Booneville as the Lady Wolves absolutely took it to the defending state runner-up Hoxie ending the game early via the sportsmanship rule. Lincoln’s Ryleigh Landrum went 2-4 with two doubles.
Booneville 10, Rivercrest 0
Booneville’s win streak is now at 24, and the Lady Bearcats show no signs of slowing down after a double-digit shutout victory, their fourth in six games, to open state tournament play. Lexi Franklin continues to deal in the circle and threw a no-hitter allowing only one walk. Caroline Smithson had three RBI while Leigh Swint and Layla Byrum added two each.
Baptist Prep 13, Fouke 3
Just another day at the office for Baptist Prep as the Lady Eagles got off to a 9-0 lead through three innings recording 21 hits in the game Taylor Bornds went 5-5, Katie Midkiff 4-5, while Mackenzie Childers, Liv Slayton, and Maci Henderson all went 3-4. Slayton had three home runs (nine RBI) and Henderson added one. Childers and Slayton were dominant on the circle once again combining to strike out 15 batters while allowing just four hits.
Atkins 7, Bismarck 5
For the most part, it was all Atkins in this one as the Lady Red Devils led 7-2 going into the sixth inning before Bismarck put together a three-run rally but nothing more than that. Maven Cauthen went 3-3 with a run batted in while Adrian Henderson, Makinley Coffman, and Madison Stovall all went 2-3.
Hackett 3, Pangburn 2
These two squads traded runs starting with Hackett in the third inning from the sixth when Pangburn tied the game at three that led to a scoreless seventh, then to extra innings where the Lady Hornets were able to close it after freshman ace Mackenzie Freeman recorded the final out in the bottom of the eighth, one of her 12 strikeouts. Freeman’s sister, Madeline, led Hackett offensively going 2-4 with two runs batted in.
4A
Gravette 12, Hamburg 0
Gravette exploded for seven runs in the first inning and this one was done after the top of the fifth. Brooke Handle threw four innings allowing three hits and struck out five batters. She also went 2-3 at the plate as did Meghan Woodmancy.
Morrilton 6, Jonesboro Westside 4
Down 4-0 from the first inning and then through four, Morrilton finally got clicking at the top of the fifth to put three on the board and then score three more in the second as the Lady Devil Dogs’ defense also came through to extend their current state title defense. Trinity Everette and Cheyanne Kemp each went 2-4 at the plate for Morrilton.
Bauxite 5, Southside Batesville 3
Bauxite took an early 2-0 lead into the bottom of the first on a Haley Howard double that drove in Madalyn Ferrell and Kady Jacks. Though Southside made a run late, the Lady Miners were able to shut the Lady Southerners out in the seventh to advance to the quarterfinals. Howard went 2-4 at the plate and Kaci West also contributed effectively going 2-4.
Malvern 13, Farmington 10
The final game of the day in Nashville did not disappoint as Malvern came back from being down by three runs and then scored nine from the fifth to seventh innings. Bella Hulsey hit a three-run shot to cut the lead to 13-10, but Malvern split the gap open a little too wide and was able to escape. Lauren Golden (3-5, 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, HR), A.J. Fike (3-4, 3 runs scored, 3 RBI), and Audrey Carr (4-5, RBI) all had a great day for the Lady Leopards.
5A
White Hall 7, Searcy 0
Senior Lily Hood was excellent on Thursday going 4-for-4 at the plate scoring three runs and batting another runner in. She also hit a home run and threw a complete game striking out six batters and allowed four hits. Marissa Hartless was also perfect offensively going 2-2 with 2 RBI.
Vilonia 7, Beebe 4
The biggest upset of the day. Beebe made a pitching change after Vilonia put its first two batters on base, and the Lady Eagles were able to respond to anything and everything Beebe threw at them. With the Lady Badgers down 4-2, Kiki Pickens tied it with a two-run homer in the fifth, but Vilonia put another run up in the sixth. It was in the seventh that freshman Lila Toll all but put the game away on a two-run shot to give the Lady Eagles extra insurance.
Sheridan 10, Paragould 0
In a game that lasted only six innings, Sheridan led 4-0 after three innings with the pitching and defense showing up in a big way as Cooper Terry allowed just three hits and struck out six batters. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, Mary Lem walked it off to enforce the sportsmanship rule. Lem went 2-3 with 6 RBI and Callie Kilburn went 2-4 with 1 RBI.
Marion 6, Lake Hamilton 5
Marion saw a comfortable 6-1 lead dwindle away in the top of the seventh when Lake Hamilton got some things going to score four runs, but the Lady Patriots staved off the upset. Kelsey Eppes paced Marion going 3-4 scoring two runs and also Anna Hitchman who went 2-4 with 2 RBI.
GCT 10, Lakeside 0
This one got out of hand early as the Lady Eagles put 10 runs up through four innings and it was over after 4 and a half. Kylie Stokes, Ava Carter, and Zoie Reynolds each had two hits for GCT.
Benton 3, Mtn Home 0
This one was much closer than most expected as West four seed Mountain Home hung tough until the very end with Benton, the No. 1 overall team in the state and one of the top teams in the country. Elana Scott pitched five innings striking out seven batters and walking three. Scott also led the Lady Panthers at the plate as she went 2-3 with a RBI and also scored a run.
Van Buren 2, Maumelle 1
Maumelle was upset-minded taking on West top seed Van Buren and came close to accomplishing it, but the Lady Pointers were able to elude elimination thanks to Kyleigh Kuykendall’s walk off single in the bottom of the seventh inning in a low-scoring contest. Kuykendall was 3-3 while Belle Brown, Haylie Girvin, and Tessa Leonard all went 2-3.
Greenwood 8, Little Rock Christian 0
Greenwood got hot between the second and fourth inning scoring all eight of their runs in that frame led by Victoria Howard in the circle who threw five scoreless innings. Mady Cartwright and Paige Pugh had two hits a piece along with two RBI.
For a recap of Class 6A click here.
