Arkansas high school state softball tournament roundup: Weather takes center stage in round one

Mother Nature has put a damper on the 2023 spring sports season since everything got started in late February. It had its way once again before the softball state tournament even got underway on Thursday.

Every tournament location endured delays, while the first rounds of Class 1A and 4A were completely pushed back to Friday.

Follow brackets from each classification on scorebooklive.com to stay up to date on new times and matchups for every round.

6A

Bentonville West 12, Jonesboro 1 (5 innings)

The Lady Wolverines scored six runs in the second inning, and six more combined in third and fourth, advancing to the quarterfinals to play Central No. 2 seed Cabot. West’s Mabry Van Es struck out eight batters and allowed four hits.

Steph Crittenden, Maddie Axe, Emma Wheatley, Brianna Weigel, and Kaylee Parker each recorded multiple hits for the Lady Wolverines. Maya Cody smacked a home run for Jonesboro at the top of the fifth inning to avoid a shutout.

Rogers Heritage 8, Conway 7

Freshman Karlee Earl has torn it up all season for Heritage at the plate and came through on the biggest stage thus far when she hit a two-out, three-run double. The clutch play at the top of the fifth inning cut into Conway’s 7-0 lead, then the Lady War Eagles scored four more in the sixth, and another that would seal the game in the top of the seventh.

Earl’s classmate, Teagan Holt, finished 2-for-4 at the plate and scored a run, while Ava DeFrates smacked a home run and had three batted in. Sofia King, Ashley Hales, and Ella White each recorded multiple hits for the Lady Wampus Cats.

Fort Smith Northside 3, North Little Rock 2

It was not the prettiest performance by either team, but the Lady Bears put up two runs in the top of the seventh and hung tough following Macee McGill’s home run with one out that cut the lead to a run.

Addison Foster was clutch at the plate for the Lady Bears finishing 3-for-3 with two doubles and two runs batted in, while Marissa Gibson also recorded two hits. Northside's Mallory Craig pitched a complete game and allowed five hits and struck out two batters while also hitting a double and scoring a run. Along with McGill’s home run, the NLR offense was powered by Aubrey Kimmons who was 2-for-3 with a run batted in.

Har-Ber 19, Central 0 (3 innings)

This one was wrapped up quickly as Har-Ber got out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning and essentially put a bow on the contest by scoring 15 runs in the second.

Anniston Reith (2 IP, 5 K) and Bryley Bratcher (1 IP, 3 K) combined for the Har-Ber victory, while Zyria Palmer (2-for-2, 3 R, 2B, 2 SB), Reith (2-for-2, 5 RBI, 2B, 3B), and Cloey Maudlin (2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B) all recorded multiple hits.

5A

Greene County Tech 9, Mountain Home 6

Mountain Home reeled off four runs at the top of the fifth to tie the game at five, but the Lady Eagles responded with four of their own moments later at the bottom of the inning. The Lady Bombers answered with one more at the top of the seventh, but were not able to complete the rally.

Arkansas commit Ava Carter went 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and batted a run in For GCT, while Emmy Thomason was also 3-for-4 with a run scored and four runs batted in. Olivia Crabb and Katie Camp each recorded multiple hits for Mountain Home.

White Hall 7, Beebe 4

South No. 4 seed White Hall pulled the upset over Central top seed Beebe that ended both the Lady Badgers' 19-game win streak as well as their season. Down 5-0 at the top of the fifth inning, Beebe's Kiki Pickens smashed a two-run homer that scored Tatym Howell but three insurance runs from White Hall in the sixth would be enough to secure the victory.

Freshman Bethany Roper threw a complete game and struck out four batters. Taylor Irvin led at the plate going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and another batted in, followed by Sara Young who finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored as well as batted a run in.

Greenwood 4, Valley View 3

Bri Taylor’s line drive to left field sent Saylar Hart and Daisy Parker across the plate for the walk-off win and kept the Lady Bulldogs’ season alive. Valley View took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh before Greenwood rallied starting with an RBI single from Parker that scored Charlize Taylor.

Taylor led the Lady Bulldogs at the plate going 2-for-4 with a double and the two runs batted in that won the game, while Rylee Cowart also collected multiple hits going 2-for-3. Tori Howard pitched a complete game for Greenwood allowing eight hits and struck out four batters. For Valley View, Mackenzie Whitlock and Anna Winkfield each recorded multiple hits, while Riley Smith allowed eight hits and struck out seven.

Sheridan 7, Maumelle 1

Freshman Mason Wilson took command in the circle allowing just three hits and struck out four batters, while the defense behind her also did its job. The Sheridan offense was equally as good, popping off five of their seven runs in the fifth inning.

Chloe Ashmead was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with a run batted in, while Kaitlyn Horton also collected multiple hits going 2-for-3 with three runs batted in. Freshman Skylar Sterritt smacked an inside the park home run and Callie Kilburn scored a run while also batting two in. Gracie Keeling, Peyton Gober, and Gracyn Pierce each had a hit for Maumelle.

Benton 9, Sylvan Hills 1

There are few, if any, pitching at the level Stanford signee Alyssa Houston has the past four games and she surpassed 500 career strikeouts after punching out 16 in six innings. Houston also went 4-for-4 at the plate with a double and two RBI’s, while Addison Davis and Lydia Bethards also lit it up offensively each finishing 3-for-4.

Caroline Hicks pitched the seventh inning for Benton and struck out a batter, while Cam Culclager and Mallory Crosby were two additional Lady Panthers to record multiple hits. Silena Jones scored Sylvan Hills’ lone run.

Van Buren 4, Searcy 0

Van Buren went into a weather delay with a tight 2-0 lead and added two more for security when play resumed in the sixth inning to earn a sixth shutout in the past 10 games. Ember Caldwell allowed five hits and punched out four in a complete game effort.

Ivy Perkins (2-for-3, 2 R) and Ashlyn Michael (2-for-3, 2 R, 2B) led the Lady Pointers with multiple hits. For Searcy, Abby Busby allowed five hits and struck out 11 batters.

Harrison 9, Marion 8

One of the more entertaining contests of the day, Harrison rode a five run fifth inning to victory over 5A tournament host Marion. The Lady Patriots were up 7-4 through four innings before the Harrison rally began.

Abigail Fancler (2-for-5, 3 RBI, 3B) and Eliana Warner (2-for-4, R, 3 RBI) led the Lady Goblins with multiple hits, while Kennedi Campbell scored three runs including a solo homer in the third inning. McKenzie Shinaberry was 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and two RBI's for Marion, while Kelsey Baker scored two runs and batted three in.

Hot Springs Lakeside 12, Vilonia 8

In the final game of the day, Lakeside got the big win to advance to the quarterfinals and complete the South conference sweep of the Central. The game featured 22 total hits, with Lakeside notching half of those as well as five runs scored in the fifth inning.

Four Lady Rams recorded multiple hits - Avery Walls (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI), Natieya Pettus (2-for-4, R, RBI, 2B, 3B), Reese Vines (2-for-3, R), and Christina Ingram (2-for-3, 2 R, 2B). Dita Porterfield (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 SB), Emma Sowell (2-for-4, R, 4 RBI, HR), and Olivia Cates (2-for-4) led Vilonia with multiple hits.

4A

All first round contests will be played on Friday beginning at 10 a.m. with Brookland and Nashville.

3A

Valley Springs 7, Dumas 3

Valley Springs could not muster any offense for most of the game down 3-0 through five innings, but reeled off seven runs in the next two - including four at the top of the seventh - earning the upset over the top-seeded Lady Bobcats.

Camie Moore threw a complete game for Valley Springs striking out eight batters while allowing five hits and also scored two of the Lady Tigers’ runs. Aidan Gorton seems to hit one out every game and did so once again via a three-run inside the park homer, while Landrey King went 2-for-4 and batted a run in. Trinity Tillman went 2-for-3 with two doubles and scored a run for Dumas.

Lamar 9, Melbourne 6

Lamar stacked up nine runs in the first three innings and it appeared that it would not be long before the sportsmanship rule came into effect. Melbourne refused to go down without a fight scoring six runs of their own between the fourth and sixth innings, but went down in order for the seventh to end the game.

Addison Hardin (2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B) and Natalie Simmons (2-for-3, R, 3 RBI, 2B) led the Lady Warriors with multiple hits, while Mylee Parker also scored two runs and batted two in. Grace Cross, Marley Rohr, and Jordan Youngblood each recorded two hits for Melbourne.

Baptist Prep 9, Tuckerman 7

Some fans in attendance were likely headed for the exits at the start of the seventh inning with Tuckerman up 7-2. However, the fireworks were far from over between these two championship programs as the Lady Eagles popped off seven runs and held off the Lady Bulldogs at the bottom of the frame to escape.

Katie Midkiff finished the final two innings striking out two batters and also scored two runs. Liv Slayton threw the first five innings allowing seven hits and struck out eight, while also scoring a run and batting one in. Sydnee Knight had multiple hits going 2-for-4 scoring a run and batting one in. For the Lady Bulldogs, Hannah Nicholson struck out 12 batters in 6.2 innings, while also finishing 2-for-4 at the plate and Laci Worthington smacked a home run.

Booneville 9, Genoa Central 2

Genoa Central struck first at the bottom of the fifth inning with two runs, but did not have much to celebrate for very long as Booneville punched right back reeling off all of their runs in the final two innings.

Lexi Franklin struck out five batters while allowing five hits in a complete game effort and also scored two runs. Layla Byrum and Kylie Lunsford each went 2-for-4 with Byrum scoring a run and Lunsford had two runs batted in. Callie Fike and Gracie Ramage each had two hits for Genoa Central.

Glen Rose 9, Lincoln 5

In the biggest upset of the day for Class 3A, the four seeded Lady Beavers traveled to Northwest Arkansas and upset No. 1 seed Lincoln on its own field. Glen Rose tied the game at two in the third, then exploded for five runs in the fourth and two more in the sixth that would be enough as they staved off a Lincoln rally in the bottom of the seventh.

Emma Wright pitched a complete game striking out five batters while allowing as many hits. Maddie Melhorn was 3-for-4 at the plate with a triple and two runs batted in, while Zavery May was 2-for-3 with a triple, plus three runs scored and three runs batted in. Brinkley Moreton was intentionally walked four times and scored two runs for Lincoln, while Addie Pershall went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

Mayflower 10, Newport 0 (6 innings)

The Lady Eagles had the most dominating performance of the first round in Class 3A allowing Newport to do very little while they did all they wanted. Four run innings in the third and fourth, followed by two additional in the sixth, along with solid work on the rubber by Kylee Branscum (6 IP, 4 H, BB, 4 K) got things finished an inning early.

Holly Raney smacked a home run and batted in four, Branscum and Alyssa Haggins each had three hits, while Hannah Duvall scored three runs. Gracee McGuire was 2-for-3 with a double for Newport.

Atkins 4, Salem 1

Atkins wasted no time in getting ahead, putting three of their four runs up in the first inning before adding another in the third then relying on good defense from there. Salem notched eight hits, but were not able to get runs across the plate other than one in the fifth that prevented a shutout.

Makinley Coffman went 2-for-4 at the plate for Atkins with a run batted in and another scored, while Christin Flory also recorded multiple hits finishing 2-for-3 with two runs batted in and a run scored. Allison Smith, Olivia Dockins, and Madalyn Miller all recorded multiple hits for Salem.

Hackett 4, Fouke 1

Hackett's offense took off in the third inning scoring four runs and that would be all the Lady Hornets would need. Makenzie Freeman allowed seven hits and struck out six batters while also hitting a double.

Michaelyn Freeman hit a triple, scored a run, and batted another in, while Kyleigh Hill and Lexi Gann each scored a run. Allison Caudle and Kendall Haworth each recorded multiple hits for Fouke.

2A

Mansfield 4, Bigelow 3

Mansfield survived and advanced to increase their win streak to 23 games. Down 4-2 going into the seventh, Bigelow put a run on the board but the Lady Tigers earned the win on a strikeout from Alyson Edwards.

Edwards allowed just four hits and punched out 12 batters while also scoring one of Mansfield’s runs. Brooklyn Adams was perfect at the plate going 2-for-2, one being a triple, as well as two runs scored, while Cole Smith was 2-for-3 with a triple and three runs batted in. Ashlynn Jordan was 2-for-4 with a triple and scored two runs for Bigelow.

McCrory 12, Spring Hill 2 (5 innings)

McCrory led 4-2 after three innings before breaking it open in the fourth, scoring eight runs that would ultimately ensure the Lady Jags’ advanced to the quarterfinals. Chandler Reynolds went 2-for-4 and scored two runs for McCrory, while Sofia Fisk also recorded multiple hits for the Lady Jags with two runs scored and two additional batted in. Morgan Schaefer allowed four hits and struck out a batter on the rubber.

Camryn Dickson went 2-for-3 with a run scored and another batted in for Spring Hill, while Erin McMaster also recorded a triple and batted a run in.

Quitman 12, Lavaca 0 (5 innings)

The Lady Bulldog offense could not be contained as Quitman knocked off Lavaca in the state tournament for the second consecutive season. Emily Smith, Addi Rehm, and Emma Fenley each recorded multiple hits for Quitman with Rehm and Smith scoring four runs a piece.

Chloe Liles threw a gem for the Lady Bulldogs allowing just three hits and punched out six batters in a complete game shutout. Lavaca’s Maylie Stockton had a triple in her lone at bat.

Magnet Cove 14, Greenland 4 (6 innings)

Albeit for a brief moment, Greenland led early in the game. Magnet Cove spotted the Lady Pirates two in each of the first two innings before reeling off six at the bottom of the third and eight more in the sixth. Alexa Gangoso was unstoppable at the plate going 4-for-5 with a triple and three runs batted in, while Hadley Herrington was 3-for-4 with two runs batted in.

Bella Harville, Kynsli Brashears, Braelyn McEntire, and Marleigh McCutcheon all recorded multiple hits for the Lady Panthers. Harville pitched a complete game punching out seven batters and allowed six hits. Rebecca Gonzales went 2-for-3 with an RBI and stole a base for Greenland.

Riverside 10, Dierks 0 (6 innings)

The postseason dominance of Klaire Womack continued and the Lady Rebels’ bats were on fire as they closed this one out an inning early. Five Riverside players recorded multiple hits, led by Kaylee Cox who went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI’s, and three runs scored.

Annalee Qualls, Mackenzie Thomas, and Ryley Eakins, each had two hits for the Lady Rebs, as well as Katie Ridge who smacked a home run.

Mount Vernon-Enola 10, Cotter 0 (5 innings)

It took a couple of innings, but the Lady Warhawks played up to their reputation of having a deep, powerful batting rotation as they went off for 12 hits. Ashleigh Sprague, Ally Mendoza, Jenna Jobe, and Siby Hill all recorded multiple hits, while Mendoza smacked a home run. Abbie Kelley threw a complete game and struck out six batters.

East Poinsett County 6, Parkers Chapel 3

It was mentioned in our state tournament preview that Parkers Chapel would throw everything at the Lady Warriors, and they did just that. EPC had a narrow 2-1 lead before three additional runs at the bottom of the fourth inning provided some room to breathe and they were able to hold off the Lady Trojans for the remaining three innings.

Four Lady Warriors - Terrin Powell, Natalie Dunman, Mercedes Reel, and Riley Ashcraft - all collected multiple hits, while Keegan McCorkle allowed five hits and struck out six batters on the rubber. Makenzie Morgan and Krista Rivers each hit a triple for Parkers Chapel.

1A

All first-round contests will be played on Friday beginning at 10 a.m. with Midland and Shirley at Taylor’s field, while Bradford and Calico Rock will compete at Bradley’s field.