Arkansas' best high school softball players: Meet the state's top third basemen

By Kyle Sutherland 

With the high school softball season wrapping up, SBLive is looking at the top third basemen across all classifications in Arkansas. 

There are many standout softball third basemen in Arkansas, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive. All stats listed are through the final week of the regular season. You can discuss the other third basemen worthy of fans’ attention in 2023 by connecting with us on Twitter at @SBLiveARK or by emailing nate@scorebooklive.com.

Tori Barksdale | Mayflower | SO

Barksdale earned all-state as a freshman while contributing to last year’s Lady Eagles squad that finished in the 3A state semifinals. She duplicated that success, batting .477 with a .539 on-base percentage along with 14 doubles, 31 runs scored, 36 runs batted in, and two home runs while only striking out three times.

Olivia Bouse | Hackett | SR

The Oklahoma Wesleyan signee is a clutch of a corner player that you’ll find after not committing an error all last season and compiled a .936 fielding percentage with 18 putouts this year. At the plate, Bouse has slashed .365/.484/.446 with four doubles, a triple, 28 runs scored, and 19 runs batted in.

Mikaela Bradshaw | Gurdon | FR

The future is bright at Gurdon and look no further than Bradshaw as one who will help the program keep improving as an effective contributor on the corners. Bradshaw slashed .339/.379/.419 with five doubles and 15 runs scored. 

Amber Bryant | Lincoln | SR

Bryant was also Lincoln’s No. 2 pitcher and has struck out 50 batters in 44 innings while compiling a .80 ERA. At third, she has 18 putouts with 26 assists, while offensively slashing .326/.456/.489 with seven doubles, a triple, two home runs, 32 runs scored, and 30 runs batted in.

Bella Byerly | Brookland | SR

The Lady Bearcats’ senior leader ranked at or near the top of every offensive category slashing .507/.561/.890 with seven doubles, three triples, five home runs, 34 runs scored, and 29 RBI’s.

Cada Collins | Bismarck | JR

Considering Collins came into this season after recovering from knee surgery makes the numbers she finished with all the more impressive. Collins slashed .548/.620/.720 with nine doubles, 19 runs scored, and 22 runs batted in while only striking out twice. Defensively, Collins compiled a .940 fielding percentage.

Adilyn Cummins | Clarksville | JR

Cummins helped the Lady Panthers to a second place finish in the 4A-4. She finished the year with 23 putouts and 34 assists defensively, while slashing a team-leading .469/.575/.812 with eight doubles, a triple, four home runs, 19 runs scored, and 32 RBI’s.

Justine Davidson | Farmington | JR

Farmington had one of the top infields in Class 4A that also includes Davidson as part of a group of big bats at the plate. Davidson batted .386 with a 1.279 on-base plus slugging percentage, as well as eight doubles, 29 runs scored, 32 runs batted in, and six home runs.

Camryn Dickson | Spring Hill | SR

The Lady Bears played at a high level particularly in the back half of the season and Dickson’s efforts did not go unnoticed. She slashed .400/.500/.570 with 10 doubles, four triples, and 22 runs batted in on 35 hits. Defensively Dickson compiled 63 putouts.

Kat Dixon | Woodlawn | SO

It is no secret Dixon has been one of the most reliable third basemen in all of Class 2A for a while, but she has also continued to improve at the plate. Dixon slashed .353/.398/.471 with five doubles, a triple, a home run, 29 runs scored, and 22 runs batted in.

Ashlynn Eason | Stuttgart | JR

Eason also pitched 24.1 innings for the Lady Ricebirds when she was not at third base. She finished the year with a .371/.429/.514 slash line as well as seven doubles, a home run, 15 runs scored, and 21 runs batted in.

Ava "Ace" Ellis | Harding Academy | FR

Whether pitching or playing in the infield, the future is bright for Ellis following a fantastic freshman campaign. She slashed an impressive .643/.705/1.129 with 11 doubles, seven triples, and three home runs while only striking out once in 88 plate appearances. In the circle, Ellis struck out 61 batters in 70 innings while compiling a 3.32 ERA.

Abigail Fancler | Harrison | JR

Fancler has proven to be effective playing both of the corners and can also catch if need be. She had a great year at the plate slashing .443/.564/.582 with six doubles, a triple, one home run, 34 runs scored, and 13 runs batted in.

Hanna Gilbert | Sheridan | SR

The Oklahoma Wesleyan signee has proven to be reliable on the left corner with a .905 fielding percentage, but is also very consistent with the bat in her hand. She finished with a .386/.494/.714 slash line with six doubles, five home runs, 24 runs batted in, and 11 stolen bases.

Emily Graves | Fordyce | SR

The Three Rivers (Mo.) College signee played more of a utility role due to team needs and did so effectively. At the plate, Graves slashed .443/.511/.684 with six doubles, two triples, three home runs, 34 runs scored, and 13 runs batted in. In the circle, she struck out 42 batters in 53 innings and compiled a 2.51 earned run average.

Maggie Groves | Maumelle | SR

The Hendrix College signee and senior leader amongst a very young Lady Hornets squad, Groves batted .418 with a .568 on-base percentage after helping her team get back to the Class 5A state tournament.

Addyson Jordan | Bigelow | FR

Bigelow head coach Matt Mayo raved about Jordan’s quick hands at the plate, as well as her aggressiveness and arm strength at third base you typically do not see from a freshman. She consistently batted at or around .400 and had 25 runs batted in.

Taylor Irvin | White Hall | SO

There have been some times of learning, but Irvin’s great moments have proven what Irvin’s future could hold, particularly her two-run walk-off homer over Lake Hamilton in April. She finished with three home runs on the year along with 18 runs batted in.

Sydney Kildow | Gravette | SO

Along with serving as the Lady Lions’ No. 2 pitcher with 20 strikeouts in 23 innings on the season, Kildow holds down third when not in the circle. She has compiled a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and turned two double plays with 26 putouts on defense. At the plate, Kildow is slashing .365/.412/.459 with five doubles, a triple, 14 runs scored, and 24 runs batted in.

Emma King | Bauxite | SO

Perhaps the batter pitchers statewide are most apprehensive about throwing to (20 walks, mostly intentional), King again put up impressive numbers at the plate hitting .523 with a .617 on-base percentage, 10 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs, and 48 RBI’s. She is at third this season after playing behind the dish in 2022 and compiled a solid .922 fielding percentage.

Cedar Maxwell | Searcy | JR

Maxwell can also play behind the dish, but led the Lady Lions in the infield playing third compiling a solid .964 fielding percentage. At the plate, Maxwell slashed.361/.395/.528 along with five doubles, two triples, a home run, and 20 runs batted in.

Katie May | Lavaca | SR

May had the utility role contributing where she is needed, compiling 41 putouts and 18 assists defensively. She slashed .409/.524/.591 with eight doubles, two triples, 34 runs scored, and 28 runs batted in.

Chloe McCance | Southside Batesville | SR

The Lyon College signee slashed .530/.612/1.143 as a senior with 37 runs batted in, six home runs, five doubles, six triples, and 16 stolen bases. McCance contributed at both corner positions, as well as in the circle, where she struck out 45 batters in 35 innings.

Goldee McGalliard | Gurdon | FR

The same that was said about her teammate, Mikaela Bradshaw, should be echoed toward McGalliard in regards to the future of the Lady Go-Devils program. McGalliard played both first and third base throughout the year and at the plate slashed .348/.492/.478 with four doubles, a triple, 16 runs scored, as well as 11 runs batted in. 

Emily Minge | Malvern | SO

Minge’s sister, Katelyn, just wrapped up a successful career for the Lady Leopards while Emily is just getting started. At the plate as one of the powerful bats in the Malvern lineup, Minge slashed .437/.524/.577 with 10 doubles, 27 runs scored, and 22 runs batted in.

Anna Morgan | Monticello | SR

One of the Lady Billies’ top senior leaders, Morgan helped Monticello to its first state tournament since 2015. She turned a double play and compiled 19 putouts defensively, while offensively slashing .328/.451/.638 with six doubles, 15 runs scored, 12 runs batted in, and four home runs.

Sydney Mounts | Dierks | JR

Dierks head coach Todd Finley praised Mounts’ abilities playing on the left corner at third, but also her effectiveness at the plate. She finished with an impressive slash line - .512/.627 OBP/1.324 - along with 4 doubles, 2 home runs, 42 runs batted in, and 32 runs scored.

Cheyenne Newberry | Viola | FR

The sky's the limit for Newberry who will be one of the next great multi-sport athletes for the Lady Longhorns from what has been on display throughout her freshman year. She ranked second on the team with a .508 batting average - one of two Viola players hitting over .500 - and led in triples with 10. Newberry also had 21 stolen bases, three doubles, 30 runs scored, a home run, and 26 runs batted in.

Scarlett Owens | Calico Rock | FR

Owens was outstanding at third as a young freshman boasting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 17 putouts and 31 assists. At the plate, she slashed .459/.542/.656with seven doubles, two triples, a home run, 22 runs scored, and 18 runs batted in.

Zyria Palmer | Har-Ber | FR

Palmer is “fearless at the corner” per Har-Ber head coach Candi Bailey. She also thrives at the plate as the Lady Wildcats’ leadoff hitter batting .419 with a 1.074 on-base plus slugging percentage and has been effective on the base paths with a 90% stolen base percentage.

Breanna Phillips | Vilonia | JR

Vilonia was hit with the injury bug in a big way this year and Phillips wass been one of the upperclassmen to step up both offensively and defensively. She batted .365 heading into the state tournament with eight doubles, three home runs, and 18 runs batted in.

Layne Potter | Rison | SO

Rison head coach Seth Taylor mentioned that Potter is “as good and as solid as they come” and possesses “next level potential.” She finished her sophomore campaign with a .603/.643/.794 slash line while striking out only four times. Defensively, Potter compiled a .935 fielding percentage with over 60 putouts.

Zoie Reynolds | Greene County Tech | JR

Reynolds helped her team to the 5A finals and now looks to help them finsih the job.  She has had a very successful season in the field at the left corner compiling a .947 fielding percentage, while also succeeding at the plate batting .439 with a .491 on-base percentage as well as six doubles, 27 runs scored, and 21 runs batted in.

Addison Rooffener | Midland | FR

As only a freshman, Rooffener ranked third on the team in batting for one of Class 1A’s top teams, slashing .449/.517/.692 with eight doubles, a triple, three home runs, 25 runs scored, and 22 runs batted in. Defensively, Rooffener has 29 putouts with three assists.

Izzy Sawyer | Magnet Cove | JR

Sawyer compiled 41 putouts and turned two double plays defensively for the Lady Panthers and ranks third on the team at the plate. She slashed .309/.493/.364 with three doubles, 16 runs scored, and 15 runs batted in.

Kylie Shirley | Pangburn | JR

Pangburn head coach Chason Bowman raved about Shirley being one of the better third basemen in the state and she still has her senior season left to play. She finished the season batting .371 along with 22 runs scored and 18 runs batted in after making some changes to her swing during the offseason.

Raylee Slate | Ouachita | JR

Slate has served in a utility role throughout her varsity career contributing anywhere from the outfield, shortstop, catcher, and third base where she spent the majority of 2023. She finished with a .393/.471/.508 slash line along with two doubles, a triple, a home run, and 14 runs batted in. Slate also was solid defensively with a .956 fielding percentage.

Maddie Stovall | Wonderview | SR

The Webster (Mo.) University basketball commit also heavily contributed on the diamond to the Lady Daredevils’ success and wrapped up her successful career in the state semifinals. Stovall slashed .500/.565/.759 with 20 RBI's and 20 runs scored on 27 hits.

Leigh Swint | Booneville | SR

The Lady Bearcats had their down moments this year, but got things clicking and are in the state finals while Swint has individually succeed as the team's senior leader. she is batting .416 and slugging .640 with 11 doubles, three triples, a home run, 20 runs scored, and 23 runs batted in. 

Landyn Tompkins | Nashville | FR

Knowing Tompkins’ contributions to a very young Scrapperettes’ squad, there is no way you would think she is a freshman. She has alternated between the corner positions each season and succeeded at both, but has caught the attention of the state when the bat is in her hands. Tompkins is hit .420 with an .850 slugging percentage to go with nine doubles, three triples, 10 home runs, and 39 runs batted in. 

Kasey Wood | Bentonville | SR

The Arkansas signee is one of the more talented utility players nationwide with immense success in the circle (33 IP, .42 ERA, 45 K, 4 SV), as well as being a "Gold Glove at third base" per Bentonville head coach Kent Early. Wood compiled a .938 FPCT and turned three double plays, slashed .448/.505/.927 with eight doubles, six triples, eight home runs, and 32 RBI's.