Arkansas high school softball state tournament roundup: Bentonville, Bryant, Cabot, Rogers back in 6A semifinals

By Kyle Sutherland | Photo by Jimmy Jones

Bad news: Rainy conditions played a factor for the second day in a row that pushed games back even further.

Good news: At least one full round in each classification was played.

Sixteen teams across Class 2A, 3A, 5A, and 6A secured spots in their respective semifinals with just one obstacle remaining before the finals, while 1A and 4A still have two rounds to finish out before playing for the hardware.

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

6A (quarterfinals)

Cabot 5, Bentonville West 0

South Dakota State signee Akayla Barnard is hoping to end her illustrious prep career on a high note and got off to a good start in the postseason throwing a no-hitter against West that sent the Lady Panthers to the 6A semifinals for the six consecutive season.

Barnard struck out six batters and collected an RBI offensively. Sara Camplain (1-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB) and Allee Autry (2-for-2, 2 R, 3 SB) were the other top contributors for the Lady Panthers.

Bryant 3, Har-Ber 2

The Lady Hornets face Bentonville in the semifinals for the third consecutive season after a sixth inning rally that willed them to victory. A sac fly from Aly White scored Abby Gentry tying it at two before Kadence Armstrong stole second to get herself in scoring position with two outs and then scored the go-ahead run moments later on a line drive to left field by Kloie Lovell.

Gentry finished 2-for-3 with a leadoff solo homer in the bottom of the fourth while Payton Stueart and Macy Hoskins each hit a double. White got the start in the circle for Bryant and pitched 5.1 innings allowing just one hit and struck out five batters before Emily Miller finished out the final 1.2 innings. For Har-Ber, Anniston Reith struck out 10 batters and hit a solo home run in the sixth.

Rogers 5, Fort Smith Northside 1

After edging North Little Rock, Northside was looking for even more and got on the board first via Erika Johnson's solo home run in the fourth inning with one out. However, this day belonged to Abilene Christian signee Ella Beeman and the Lady Mounties as Beeman responded with a solo shot of her own at the bottom of the fourth and the Lady Mounties increased the lead by adding four runs in the fifth.

Beeman was excellent on the rubber allowing just three hits and struck out 12 batters while being the only Rogers player to record multiple hits. Lauryn Heinle, Dahana Tuomala, Ava Johnson, and Ryleigh Johnson also scored a run each.

Bentonville 14, Rogers Heritage 0 (5 innings)

Can anyone stop Bentonville from wining the program's sixth state title and seven seasons? Few teams in Arkansas have been able to keep pace with the Lady Tigers this year and they shut out Heritage for the third time in 2023 headlined by a nine run fourth inning.

Louisville commit Ryann Sanders tossed a no-hitter and punched out 12 batters while Pitt state signee Trista Peterson and Tulsa commit Amber Turner each collected three hits. Peterson also smacked a two-run homer in the first inning to get the scoring going.

5A (quarterfinals)

Greenwood 9, White Hall 1

A thrilling ride it has been so far for Greenwood winning on a walk-off in the first round followed by a no-hitter from Haley McAdams to take down upset-minded White Hall. McAdams punched out six batters on the day and left five on base while also chipping in offensively batting a run in.

Natilee Horne came through with a clutch an RBI double, while seven total Greenwood players in all recorded a hit.

Benton 10, Harrison 0 (6 innings)

Make it 28 innings that Stanford signee Alyssa Houston has pitched without allowing a hit. Houston punched out 13 batters in five frames before Mallory Crosby closed it out in the sixth. Houston was also 2-for-4 at the plate with a run batted in.

Lydia Bethards finished perfect at the plate (3-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB) while Cam Culclager was an impressive 3-for-4 with three RBI's and a stolen base. Dakota Hobson and Violet Mendez each recorded multiple hits for Benton.

Greene County Tech 4, Sheridan 2

It was much closer than when they met up in last years semifinals, but the Lady Eagles were able to take down the Lady 'Jackets powered by a four run first inning. Sheridan rallied in the final two innings and had the bases loaded, but GCT notched the final out at first base.

Karley Burrow allowed seven hits and struck out three batters for GCT, while also scoring a run and knocked a double. Arkansas commit Ava Carter and Weslyn Burnside each recorded multiple hits for GCT. Chloe Ashmead led Sheridan going 2-for-4 with a double and a run batted in.

Van Buren 4, Hot Springs Lakeside 2

Van Buren has scored four runs in its past three contests with most recent two working in their favor and pushed them closer to a chance to play for the state title. Two quick scores in both the third and fourth innings would be enough as the Lady Pointers kept Lakeside from doing any additional damage after scoring in the sixth.

Ashlyn Michael had two of Van Buren's five hits with a double and run scored, while Hailey Allen also hit a double and scored a run along with a RBI. Leah Cook led all Lakeside players going 2-for-4 at the plate and scored a run.

4A (first round)

Nashville 6, Brookland 4

The tide shifted at the bottom of the fifth when Landyn Tompkins scored off of an Emily Wallis RBI single to tie the game at four. Nancy Worthington then smacked a two RBI double for the go ahead run and the Scrapperettes escaped. Worthington threw four innings allowing six hits and struck out two before Emma Hutchinson took the final three frames allowing five hits and three strikeouts.

Tompkins was 2-for-2 with a run scored and Gabby Williams also finished with multiple hits going 2-for-4 with two runs batted in. For Brookland, Ashlyn McNeese finished 3-for-4 with a two-run homer, while Madison Wooldridge and Taylor Reed each had two hits.

Farmington 10, Monticello 0 (6 innings)

After chipping away putting one run up each from the second through fourth innings, the Lady Cardinals pulled away in the fifth with three runs, followed by four in the sixth. Kamryn Uher held a powerful Lady Billies offense to just five hits while also striking out five batters.

Reese Shirey (2-for-5, 3 RBI, 2B, SB) and Skyler Riddle (3-for-4, 3 RBIs) led offensively, along with Katie Fleming and Morgan Uher who scored three and two runs, respectively.

Wynne 6, Morrilton 3

Wynne has had a lot to play for this season amongst great adversity and their 2023 journey continues after shutting down Morrilton's rally in the top of the seventh inning. Caetlyn Tansy had a standout performance at the plate finishing 3-for-3 and scored a run, while Hadley Denevan also recorded multiple hits going 2-for-4 with a double and run scored.

Trinity Everette went 3-for-4 with a triple and scored a run to lead Morrilton, along with Cheyanne Kemp who knocked a triple. Madison Garrett also scored two runs while striking out four batters in the circle.

Malvern 13, Jonesboro Westside 10

The night cap had no shortage of entertainment for those who love offense. Malvern got it started when Emily Minge scored from third on a sacrifice from Bella Roseberry, then AJ Fike blasted a three-run homer on the next at-bat. Westside would immediately respond with three runs on their own, but could not match eight scored by Malvern over the next two frames.

Fike was 2-for-4 with the home run along with a triple and five total runs batted in and Chaz Cooper also showed out going 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Katelyn Minge, who pitched six innings and struck out nine batters, and Alexis Jenkins also recorded multiple hits for the Lady Leopards. Vada Watkins, Megan Hedger, Jada Diaz, Remi Crain, and Emma Pruitt all recorded multiple hits for Westside.

3A (quarterfinals)

Booneville 2, Baptist Prep 0

Baptist Prep stormed back from seven runs down on Thursday to defeat Tuckerman, but a second consecutive late rally fell short. The Lady Eagles had runners on second and third base with one out, but Booneville got the crucial out at home before a ground out to second base closed the game.

A game after becoming the program’s all-time strikeouts leader, Lexi Franklin had another solid performance allowing five hits and striking out three while also hitting a triple and scoring a run. Presley Walker scored Booneville’s other run and Leigh Swint knocked a double. Katie Midkiff struck out seven batters in 3.1 innings for Baptist Prep and went 2-for-4 with a double at the plate.

Lamar 3, Valley Springs 0

Fueled by a first-inning offensive surge and stellar pitching from Bailee Cowell, the Lady Warriors punched their ticket to the semifinals. Scores from Harleigh Wicker, Addison Hardin, and Natalie Simmons sealed the victory as the Valley Springs offense that came on late against Dumas in the first round went stagnant and could not find a way to respond.

Cowell allowed just one hit and punched out eight batters while also going 2-for-3 at the plate with a run batted in. Shaylie Mayfield was also 2-for-3, while Simmons knocked a double.

Atkins 6, Glen Rose 0

Atkins came into the game very aware of the upset Glen Rose pulled over 3A tournament host Lincoln in round one and made sure they would not be dealt the same fate. Leading 2-0 through three innings, the Lady Red Devils added an additional four runs for security in the bottom of the fifth.

Libby May struck out six batters while allowing five hits on the rubber for Atkins. Adrian Henderson (2-for-4, 2 R), and Christin Flory (2-for-4, R, 3 RBI) led Atkins at the plate, while Alyssa Lemley hit a triple and batted a run in.

Hackett 8, Mayflower 2

The Lady Hornets had 14 hits and clinched a spot in the semifinals for the second straight season with a statement victory that most may not be surprised by the result, but more so the margin of victory over a deep Mayflower squad. The Lady Eagles fought back putting a run up in each of the fifth and sixth innings, but a six run frame for Hackett in the fourth was plenty for the knockout punch.

Michaelyn Freeman had a monster day at the plate finishing 4-for-5 with three runs scored and a stolen base, while Olivia Bouse, Taylor Nichols, Lilly Oxford, and Alona Rothwell each recorded multiple hits.

2A (quarterfinals)

Mansfield 10, McCrory 3

Mansfield’s first round one run victory over Bigelow was too close for comfort, so they made sure to take charge early putting up five runs in the first inning, an additional in the fourth, and then four more in the sixth. The Lady Tigers also got another quality start from Alyson Edwards who punched out 11 batters while allowing six hits.

Edwards also finished 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs batted in and two runs scored while Brooklyn Adams (2-for-4, R, RBI, 2B) and Cole Smith (2-for-4, R, RBI) recorded multiple hits. Natalie Creasey was the top hitter for McCrory going 2-for-4 scoring a run.

East Poinsett County 6, Magnet Cove 2

The Lady Warriors are just one win away from making it back to the state finals where they came up short a season ago following a solid offensive showing in the quarterfinals. Keegan McCorkle had another good outing allowing six hits, but kept the score down as she typically does and punched out six batters.

McCorkle was also 2-for-4 at the plate with two triples and a run batted in, while Terrin Powell (2-for-4, R, RBI, SB) and Kelly Ashcraft (2-for-4) also each compiled multiple hits for EPC. Kynsli Brashears led Magnet Cove finishing 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored.

Quitman 9, Woodlawn 1

For the second consecutive season Quitman will play in the semifinals while Woodlawn's season is over after one state tournament round. Following two scoreless innings the Lady Bulldogs turned it up a few notches at the top of the third, scoring eight of their nine runs. Woodlawn responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the third, but otherwise came up empty for the remainder of the game.

Quitman scored all runs on just four hits led by senior leader Silver Mulliniks who crossed the plate for two scores and Chloe Liles scored a run, as well as batted two more in and knocked a triple.

Riverside 3, Mount Vernon-Enola 1

If she is not the top pitcher in Class 2A right now, Klaire Womack is certainly in the conversation following yet another very impressive performance. She kept the very powerful batting lineup of MVE at bay allowing just one hit along with striking out 12 - her fifth straight game with double digit strikeouts.

Kaylee Cox led the Lady Rebels in hits finishing 2-for-4, while Mackenzie Thomas, Katie Ridge, and Brooklyn Berry scored Riverside's runs. MVE leadoff hitter Ashleigh Sprague recorded the Lady Warhawks' only hit of the day, while Ally Mendoza scored the Lady Warhawks' lone run.

1A (first round)

Calico Rock 12, Bradford 5

Some back-and-forth in the first three innings resulted in a 5-5 tie before Calico Rock created some big separation, first scoring two additional runs in the fourth and then went off for five in the fifth as the Lady Pirate offense had 17 hits on the day.

Lyrics Stapleton struck out eight batters in a complete game effort while also finishing 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and two runs scored. Ashlyn Mann and Madelyn Thornton each went 3-for-4, while Scarlett Owens, Shelby Skidmore, and Haven Stapleton also recorded multiple hits. Allie Story was the top performer for Bradford going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Midland 7, Shirley 2

At first, it was a game all about the pitchers tied at two heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Midland decided it was time to take charge and they scored five runs to create the separation needed.

Danica Brown surpassed 500 career strikeouts and punched out six, while allowing eight hits and also hit a double. Gabby Jefford was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, while Skylar Porterfield and Sydney Canard also went 2-for-3. Hunter Hutto gave up 10 hits and struck out 12 batters for Shirley and also went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Addie Overturff and Ariana Bradford also compiled multiple hits for the Lady Blue Devils.

Bradley 18, County Line 3 (3 innings)

The Lady Bears made sure to get out of the first round quickly and they certainly wasted no time as they took care of the Lady Indians in just a few innings behind 17 hits. Ainslee Moore struck out four batters and allowed two hits while also finishing 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and two runs batted in.

Jackie Kelner was as well flawless going 4-for-4 with two doubles and three runs batted in. Chelsea Whitfield, Kelsea Whitfield, and Allie Lane also recorded multiple hits for the Lady Bears.

Scranton 11, Mount Ida 1 (6 innings)

Scranton did not field a team last season due to lack of participation, but have been on a roll winning their past eight contests that includes a district and regional championship, plus this first round state tournament win on Friday.

DeLaney Mainer was effective on the rubber allowing five hits while punching out eight batters along with batting two runs in offensively. Addie Layes, Natalie Miller, Laikyn Schluterman, and Emily Kremers each collected two hits for Scranton. Gracia Huitt smacked a home run in the fourth inning to assure Mount Ida would avoid the shutout.

Wonderview 1, Concord 0

On 11 occasions this season prior to the state tournament, Lydia Polk pitched a complete game shutout. She did it for the twelfth time against the Lady Pirates in the first round, striking out nine batters while giving up five hits. Tyleigh Hoyt scored the game's only run on a sacrifice from Gracie Williams in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Brianna McPike also had a quality outing on the rubber for Concord allowing three hits and punched out three batters. McPike also hit a double as did Kately Cornett.

Viola 2, Nemo Vista 0

The Lady Longhorns came up on the short end of the stick in their previous contest against Calico Rock that was also a low-scoring affair in the 1A-2 Regional final, but it was the opposite this time around. Dana Wright, who was courtesy running for Addison Luther, put the first run on the board with two outs in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Kailey Hallmark. Cheyenne Newberry added another in the sixth on an RBI single from Joey Harbor.

Haylee Crotts had a good day in the circle for Viola allowing just three hits and struck out six batters. Harbor led all Viola batters going 2-for-3. Karlee Perkins also pitched a complete game for Nemo Vista allowing four hits and punched out five batters, while Harley Andrews finished 2-for-3 with two stolen bases.

Taylor 17, Mulberry 0 (4 innings)

The Lady Tigers began their postseason path to a sixth consecutive state championship with a bang, hardly breaking a sweat against the Lady Yellowjackets. They put up 15 runs in the third and fourth innings after coming up with one each in the first and second.

Madison Lindsey, Anistyn Nolte, and Maggie McHenry all had a big day at the plate smacking home runs as McHenry led with two. Lily Sewell also recorded multiple hits for Taylor finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four batted in as well as two triples.

Emerson 12, Jasper 4

Quite the turnaround for Emerson who did not win a single game last season and will now get an opportunity to play in the quarterfinals. After falling behind 3-0 early, Emerson shifted the momentum quickly in the fifth inning scoring runs at will.

Top performers from the game included Meg Ainsworth, Tori Mattmiller, and Gabby Harrell.