New coach, same result for Taylor in Arkansas 1A softball championship game
By Kyle Sutherland | Photos by Tommy Land
BENTON — Though Taylor brought in a new coaching staff this season, there was no drop-off in production as the Lady Tigers won their fifth softball state championship in a row and seventh since 2012 by defeating West Side Greers Ferry 9-1 in the opening game of Day Two of the Centennial Bank softball state finals at the Benton Athletic Complex.
Up 2-1 through four innings, Carly Downs started a four-run inning for Taylor stwith a leadoff double and ended up scoring on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth. Downs went 3-for-4 on the day, all doubles, scoring a run and batted one in. Lauran Lenard, Maggie McHenry, and Makayla Downs also had multiple hits for the Lady Tigers.
Taylor (22-2) got rolling again in the top of the seventh inning fueled by back-to-back doubles from Lenard and McHenry that quickly scored three runs. Collectively, Taylor had 10 hits on the day and made it tough on West Side pitcher McKenna Bittle.
“I wish we had MVP plaques for all of them because they all stepped up and did something big today,” Taylor head coach Courtney McHenry said. “We see teams that have some strong players, but we are proud [of ours] from top to bottom. They all bring something.”
Freshman pitcher Ayla Buford has been the workhorse in the circle for Taylor all season with three perfect games coming in and has held opposing batters to a .186 batting average in 2022. She was named the Most Valuable Player of the state finals after striking out eight batters and allowing just five hits.
“Ayla is mentally tough and has a lot to bring to the table for sure,” McHenry said. “She has good speed, but what makes it work is her other pitches. We sure like watching that changeup and seeing [teams] swing at those. She does a great job keeping [hitters] off-balance. She is so confident because of the girls she has behind her. She’s a Rockstar and we’re happy to have her for a few more years.”
West Side (22-4) scored in the bottom of the second on a groundout by Alyssa Smith that scored Kortnee Finch and kept the game within one run through the next two innings before Taylor broke it open. Bittle had a few good innings, but the powerful lineup of Taylor was eventually able to score in droves. Bittle also led the Lady Eagles at the plate along with freshman right fielder Lacy Baker who both had multiple hits.
“I think we had some opportunities and just could not quite string it together when we needed it,” West Side head coach Jeff Smith said. “Taylor is a great team, they deserve a lot of credit, they have been here I don’t know how many times. I am really proud of my girls for what they have done, I think we have only had one other team in school history even make it this far so it is something our whole community can still be proud of. This is a great group of girls and they have sure accomplished a lot more than many people thought they would.”
The Taylor dynasty was started during the Adam Camp tenure. He was the head coach for the Lady Tigers for the past four state championship runs. McHenry praised her team for buying in and continuing the tradition of winning state titles.
“Everybody always asked why in the world would I step into a program this successful,” McHenry said. “I love the girls, I love the game, I love the school, and I have confidence. They came and worked hard from Day One and there have been some changes this year as new staffs are always different, but they have accepted the three of us and rolled with everything we have done.”
