Arkansas 1A-5A softball semifinals roundup

Here is a recap of the semifinals of Arkansas high school softball tournament games from Class 1A-5A from Saturday. Be sure to follow the brackets to see the latest scores and matchups at https://scorebooklive.com/arkansas/softball/brackets.

1A

Greers Ferry West Side 4, Wonderview 3

Lacy Baker has emerged as a premier outfielder in her freshman year, and she made the biggest play of her career Saturday in the bottom of the ninth when she hit a walk-off double to send West Side to the finals after coming from behind. Ace pitcher McKenna Bittle had another huge day in the circle allowing just three hits striking out 15 batters and went 2-2 at the plate with a home run.

Taylor 5, Guy-Perkins 0

It is not often that 1A competition competes with Taylor, but Guy-Perkins did just that through five scoreless innings until the Lady Tigers broke it open scoring all five of their runs in the top of the sixth. Heidi May and Makayla Downs each had two hits for Taylor while Downs batted two runs in. Ayla Buford struck out four batters in a complete game shutout.

2A

Tuckerman 7, Melbourne 0

It has become a habit for Tuckerman to shut out its opponents and the Lady Bulldogs did it to Melbourne for the third time in 2022. This time, it sent them to the state finals where they are hoping to win back-to-back championships. MaKaylie Gist pitched another complete game striking out eight batters.

East Poinsett County 2, Quitman 1

East Poinsett County has gotten comfortable playing, and winning, tight games-three of eight postseason contests have been decided by one run-and it was no different on one of the biggest stages Saturday as Terrin Powell was walked in a bases loaded situation scoring Mercedes Reel to send the Lady Warriors to the state championship in walk-off fashion. Keegan McCorkle led EPC at the plate going 2-3 with a RBI and struck out seven in the circle.

3A

Atkins 9, Mayflower 4

These two underdogs battled their way to get to the semifinals and the dream season will continue for Atkins in Benton for the finals. The Lady Red Devils scored five runs in the bottom of the first after Mayflower scored one at the top, then put four more on the board in the fourth that would be all they needed. Makinley Coffman led Atkins offensively going 3-4 at the plate scoring 2 runs and batted in another.

Ashdown 5, Hackett 0

Following Hackett’s monumental win over Baptist Prep, the Lady Hornets were not able to keep up with Ashdown as they were blanked by the Panthers. Karielle Forbes drove the offensive production going 2-for-3 beginning with a solo home run in the bottom of the second and had another RBI on a double in the sixth. LaKenya Williams also drove in two runs.

4A

Nashville 10, Stuttgart 0

In what was expected to be a pitcher’s duel between arguably the best two in Class 4A, Nashville’s Maci McJunkins got the better of Stuttgart striking out 11 in the shutout win to send the send the Scrapperettes to the finals after coming up short in the semis last season. Nashville made good use of the stellar batting lineup as five different players had multiple hits.

Valley View 11, Harrison 3

Valley View kept the bats rolling Saturday scoring at least a run in five out of seven innings, including five at the top of the sixth. Lexi Davis led the charge driving in five runs and smashed two home runs. Anna Winkfield also homered and batted in three runs while five other Lady Blazers compiled multiple hits.

5A

Benton 10, Van Buren 0

Benton got two quick runs in the bottom of the first on scores from Elana Scott and Alyssa Houston and only needed five innings to close this one out to clinch a berth in the state title game where the Lady Panthers will try to win their second in a row. Scott and Houston have produced a lot of big games and Saturday was no different as they combined to go 7-for-8, scored 4 runs, and 6 RBI. Scott also had a great day in the circle tossing five scoreless innings striking out eight batters.

Greene County Tech 9, Sheridan 1

Anything and everything went wrong for Sheridan to start the game, and it was the complete opposite for Greene County Tech as the Lady Eagles could do no wrong putting six runs on the board through three innings. Kylie Stokes went 2-5 and hit her seventh home run of the season and second of the state tournament, a two-run shot to center in the top of the fifth. Ava Carter and Zoie Reynolds also had multi-hit days for the Lady Eagles.