Bryant shocks Bentonville in extra innings; Cabot earns return trip to state final behind Barnard's dominance

Bryant clinched first trip to state final since 2012

By Kyle Sutherland | Photos by Jimmy Jones

For the first time in the post-COVID era, the softball state champion from Class 6A will not be Bentonville. 

Bryant stunned the two-time defending champion and nationally ranked Lady Tigers 6-4 in extra innings on Saturday to clinch the program's first state finals berth since they last won the title in 2012. 

"That was all these girls," Bryant head coach Lisa Dreher said while gathering her thoughts. "We had a talk before the game about getting hit in the face, then getting back up and fighting not being afraid while also having the ability to get back up after you got hit and they did that today."

Bryant was this season's 6A state tournament host, but rainy conditions forced the first two rounds to be played at rival Benton's artificial turf complex while their natural field dried out. The tournament moved back to Lady Hornet Field on Saturday. 

Kadence Armstrong played first base for the majority of the game, but her number was called to pitch at the bottom of the seventh. She worked one of her two scoreless innings before getting in some trouble in the eighth after a hit by pitch loaded the bases. 

To assure her team stayed composed, Dreher made a visit to the circle to talk with Armstrong and her infield. 

When play resumed, Armstrong was behind on a 1-0 count with Trista Peterson (11 home runs on the year) batting. Armstrong released the pitch and Peterson hit a high fly ball to first baseman Jacklyn Price who caught it for the final out as the celebration ensued. 

"Kadence is cool as a cucumber, that is why we like her," Dreher said. "She has came in clutch and will do absolutely anything I ask to win a ball game." 

Specs Easterwood began the eighth inning at second base per extra inning rules and a leadoff single by Abby Gentry advanced Easterwood to third. Easterwood scored two at-bats later on a RBI single from White. 

With Gentry at second, Payton Stueart sent a line drive to center field scoring Gentry to give the Lady Hornets the two run lead.

Stueart, a freshman, heaped praised from Dreher for stepping up at such a crucial moment.

"She is not one that has been on fire lately," Dreher said. "We have a couple of young ones that we just threw in the lineup to mix it up and see what would happen, but deep down these girls just believed in themselves."

Bryant wasted no time to start the game, scoring on a two-run shot to left field by Aly White. Bentonville punched back at the bottom of the inning on scores from Kadence Stafford and Peterson. 

If that was any sign of what kind of game it would be, Macy Hoskins got the crowd roaring even more when she sent a two-run homer of her own to left field at the top of the second inning.

The scoring paused for two and a half innings, but Dreher made sure to not allow her team to take their foot off the gas.

"I just kept reiterating 'fight' and they know what that means," Dreher said. "They knew it was not over and we were not done. 

"No matter what is happening or what you are feeling, you are still throwing punches."

Bentonville chipped away at the lead, scoring in the fifth on a solo home run by Kasey Wood, as well as the tying run by Stafford who smacked one over the hot spot that was the left field wall. 

Bryant was the first in-state team to defeat Bentonville this year, the Lady Tigers' first loss to Arkansas competition since Benton conquered them three times last season. 

The Lady Hornets completed the three-peat from 2010-12 under Debbie Clark and hopes to earn their first championship under Dreher. The Lady Hornets will take on 6A-Central foe Cabot, whom they fell to twice during the conference regular season. 

Cabot 1, Rogers 0

In three straight at-bats during the first inning, Cabot ace pitcher Akayla Barnard walked one, gave up a single, and hit another before a groundout got the Lady Panthers out of the inning.

Barnard walked the leadoff batter at the top of the second, but retired the next 18 - including 15 strikeouts - to finish the game as Cabot defeated Rogers 1-0, the second consecutive season they took down the Lady Mounties by a run to secure a spot in the state finals. 

"I did not do my job at the plate so I knew I owed it to my team to do it in the circle," Barnard said. "The one that got the hit was on me, I shook off my coach and called the opposite (pitch). I knew I had to spin the ball today and hit my spots to get this win."

Despite the bases loading up on her in the first inning, Barnard felt much more calm once she got out of it with no damage done.

"I was just thinking in my head that our team has worked since June and we deserve this," Barnard said. "As as senior I want to go out big."

Cabot's offense also struggled against stellar pitching from Rogers' Ava Johnson who punched out 14 batters on the day, but the Lady Panthers were able to get one across the plate in the fourth inning.

Emily Titus began the frame with a leadoff single and then advanced to second on a sacrifice by Emily Whitman. Two at-bats later, an RBI single by Emma Scales sent Titus home giving the Lady Panthers the only run they needed. 

"It was a pitching duel for both teams and we were lucky to score a run," Cabot head coach Chris Cope said. "Akayla kept them off balance all day and if they did put it in play our defense played well behind her." 

Cabot won the 2019 state championship under Cope and is thrilled to have another opportunity to play for it all again after his squad fell short to Bentonville 3-1 last season. 

"Hopefully we feel hungry after playing in it last year and have some unfinished business," Cope said. "After the first inning it was a great game so hopefully we can play a full seven this time."

5A (semifinals)

Benton 1, Greenwood 0

Some questioned whether or not Benton could three-peat considering they have dropped four games in 2023 following back-to-back undefeated seasons, but have essentially been unstoppable since losing to Bentonville on April 14. 

A one-out RBI double by Anna Mitchell in the bottom of the fourth inning that scored Lydia Bethards would be all the Lady Panthers needed to get back to the finals, thanks in large part to yet another dominant outing from Alyssa Houston, who finished with a no-hitter and struck out 14 batters. 

Greene County Tech 4, Van Buren 2

Greene County Tech is headed to the 5A finals for the second year in a row to face Benton with redemption on its mind after falling short in a weather delayed contest last May. The Lady Eagles put two runs on the board in the fifth after almost five combined scoreless innings. Ashlyn Michael smacked a one-out solo home run in the seventh for Van Buren, but the Lady Pointers fell short of completing the comeback.

Karley Burrow allowed two hits and struck out two batters for GCT, while Arkansas commit Ava Carter hit a triple and Brie Sage went 2-for-3 with a double. Other than Sage, Michael was the only player in the game to record multiple hits finishing 2-for-3.

4A (quarterfinals)

Gravette 7, Nashville 6

Keeley Elsea was not going to allow this one go into extra innings. As the leadoff batter at the start of the seventh, she smacked one over the left field wall on a 2-1 count after the Scrapperettes rallied to put up four runs in the sixth that tied the game.

Elsea finished 3-for-4 on the day, while Brooke Romine, Laney Chilton, and Trinity Burnett all recorded a hit. Gabby Williams and Landyn Tompkins each recorded multiple hits for Nashville, while Tompkins smacked a two-run homer to finish with 10 in her freshman season.

Bauxite 4, Farmington 3

Considering the amount of big bats these two teams both have in the arsenal, the outcome was a bit surprising. However, down 3-1 for the majority of the contest, Bauxite advanced to the semifinals in walk-off fashion after Bryley Bowman darted home from second base on an error following Skylar Hoyt scoring the tying run on the previous at-bat from Emma King's sacrifice fly. 

Bowman's huge day started on a first inning solo home run with one out to put Bauxite on the board. MJ Bermingham was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with both a double and a triple. Bermingham also threw a complete game for Bauxite allowing seven hits and struck out four batters. Justine Davidson, Morgan Uher, and Mallory Sills all recorded multiple hits for Farmington. 

Ashdown 11, Wynne 0 (5 innings)

First off, tip your hat to Wynne. The entire town endured events that are much bigger than softball and the Lady 'Jackets opened a lot of eyes by making it to the quarterfinals. However, it was all Ashdown on the field Saturday from beginning to end as the Lady Panthers put a bow on the contest after reeling off six runs in the fifth inning.

Madison Cook struck out five batters while allowing just three hits. Karielle Forbes and Jala Richard each smacked a home run, while Kylie Erwin and Forbes batted four runs in. Jaela Coleman and Jeana Paredes each recorded three hits.

Pea Ridge 4, Malvern 0

Emory Bowlin has been shutting down batting lineups in multiple classifications all season. She did it again against a Lady Leopard offense that put up 13 runs in the first round. Bowlin allowed just one hit and punched out eight batters, while her offense supplied her with three insurance runs in the fourth inning to add on to a 1-0 lead.

Pea Ridge had four hits - one each from Bowlin, Callie Cooper, Rebekah Konkler, and Ashley Earley.  

3A (semifinals)

Atkins 4, Lamar 3 (8 innings)

These conference foes played for the third time this year and battled on into extra innings. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth and one out, Adrian Henderson sent a fly ball to right field that was caught, but Brooklyn Willcutt had plenty of time to make it 60 feet across the plate and send Atkins to its second straight 3A state finals.

Makinley Coffman, Henderson, and Christin Flory each had multiple hits for Atkins. Shaylie Mayfield led Lamar finishing 2-for-4 at the plate with a run batted in and scored another. 

Booneville 5, Hackett 0

Lexi Franklin's individual efforts during the postseason have heavily benefited the Lady Bearcats as a team and she came through with another huge performance to give Hackett its second semifinal shutout loss in as many seasons. 

Franklin was 4-for-4 at the plate and allowed just two hits in the circle while striking out five batters. For Hackett, Makenzie Freeman did not have her best game, but did strike out 11 Booneville batters.

2A (semifinals)

Mansfield 14, East Poinsett County 4

The Lady Tigers jumped all over East Poinsett County to win their 24th consecutive game and put up the most runs that the Lady Warriors have surrendered to a 2A team since the 2021 state tournament when they fell 8-0 to Quitman in the first round. 

Alyson Edwards punched out seven batters in the circle and went 2-for-2 at the plate including a two-run homer. Brooklyn Adams finished 4-for-5 with four RBI's, Kynslee Ward was 3-for-5 with three runs scored, while Skyline Harris and Trinity Triska also recorded multiple hits for Mansfield. The 1-2-3 hitters for EPC - Keegan McCorkle, Terrin Powell, and Natalie Dunman - each had two hits. 

Riverside 3, Quitman 0

In the past 13 contests, Riverside has allowed more than two runs once and have pitched six shutouts in eight postseason games including Saturday's win to earn a trip to the finals for the first time in school history.

Klaire Womack continues to throw lights out and allowed just two hits against the Lady Tigers while punching out 13 batters. Katie Ridge smacked a home run and Brooklyn Berry was the only player for both teams to record multiple hits finishing 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs batted in. 

1A (quarterfinals)

Wonderview 10, Emerson 0 (6 innings)

A second consecutive shutout, Wonderview's 13th of the season, secured the Lady Daredevils a spot in the semifinals for the third year in a row. Maddie Stovall was a menace batting in the 3-hole finishing 4-for-4 and got the scoring started when she smashed a three-run homer over the left field wall. 

Lydia Polk also hit a home run while finishing 2-for-4 at the plate and had another excellent performance in the circle punching out 12 while allowing just three hits. Abbi Baker also recorded multiple hits for Wonderview going 2-for-3 with three runs scored. 

Bradley 6, Calico Rock 1

Calico Rock responded to Bradley's two scores with one of their own, but that was all the Lady Bears would spot them. Ainslee Moore had a great outing striking out 10 Lady Pirates while allowing just one hit. Moore also smacked a double on offense. 

Allie Lane led Bradley with two hits along with a RBI, while Jackie Kelner, Emilee Lyons, and Kelsea Whitfield each notched a hit. Lyrick Stapleton scored Calico's only run and also struck out seven batters while allowing six hits.

Taylor 4, Viola 0 

Five-time defending state champion Taylor has made a habit of postseason shutout victories and they added another to the resume on Saturday. Three runs in the fourth inning, along with an additional one for security in the sixth took care of the job, as did Ayla Buford who finished with a no-hitter punching out six batters. 

Buford also finished 2-for-4 with a RBI at the plate as the only player for both teams to record multiple hits. 

Midland 2, Scranton 0

Danica Brown kept the Scranton batting lineup at bay allowing just three hits while striking out 10 as the Lady Mustangs are one win away from the finals in their first season competing in Class 1A. 

Gabby Jefford was the game's only player to record multiple hits finishing 2-for-4 with a double, RBI, and a run scored. Brown also hit a double. 

Jimmy Jones, SBLive Sports