We are getting ready for first pitch here inside the Benton Schools Athletic Complex for Conway.

It will be the center fielder, Sophia King, followed by a K Bunting alley, Macmillan, Sage Teague and Caitlin Conrad playing third, and they will be facing one of the best pitchers.

In the entire state in Bentonville's Fantastic senior Mackenzie Vaughan.

Mackenzie Vaughan she is an outstanding pitcher for this Bentonville staff.

There's a curve rise change up.

She is 18 and two on the season.

She is also a Missouri State commit.

She is a big piece to this team's puzzle and she's also versatile.

She can get the job done at the plate as well.

Will be talking about what she does at the plate as we get into the bottom half of the inning.

Is Sophia King slaps the first offering from.

Von found to the left side, so one put in play down the third baseline nice grab not over to 1st in time to get the speedy Sophia King and right there Sophia King.

That is a great piece of hitting.

She does what she she just did what she does best on the left side.

Slapped it down the third baseline as we could see Casey would was playing a little bit off of the line.

She really drove that screwball down the left field line as a former third baseman.

That is a great snag by would just to get control of that ball.

That brings up a K bunting who turns the bunt.

And she offered at the rise ball.

This is a good position to be in your in the top of the first you get your leadoff hitter on will see what a K bunting does here.

I really liked how she just squared around to bunt to move Sophia King, who has a lot of speed to get her in scoring position.

No one.

Bunting take strike too low and away quickly.

Find yourself in a hole in Sydney for it.

A two hitter with the leadoff runner on.

This is not account that you want to find yourself in.

No, it's not an especially early on.

You want to see a lot of pitches, but you want to be really aggressive to the O2 from Von swung on and missed for the first strike out of the game, you know what's earlier?

It's early in the game, Dorian.

These girls are very young in that situation, though.

The top of the first playing against a good Bentonville team with a good pitching staff.

You want to make a little bit of noise.

Early on, put some pressure on him.

Mackenzie Vaughan coming into today's Game 18 and two on the year 112 innings, pitches that when put into play by Macmillan Softly to the right side.

No other choice for Emily Perry, but then to get the out at first.

And that's not bad.

There she moves Sophia King over.

There are two outs.

But the good news is, is Macmillan.

She just put up, you know she put the bat on the ball so she'll learn from her first at bat and be ready to go for her second one.

It brings to the point one of the few upperclassmen on this Conway roster.

Sage Teague the catcher.

Is von misses with the off speed.

And there's that off speed that we see Von Throw.

She's more east to West, but those that change up in there and she does it pretty consistently.

Teague looks extract one and as you mentioned, 112 innings pitched on the year.

One in games played 19 start.

She's given up 75 hits, 24 runs and iare of just .623 is the one one swung on and missed and I'm going to talk about the pitching staff as a whole really quickly during they have 19 shutouts on the season.

That is really unheard of from a pitching staff.

One of the reasons why try to he trying so hard to get Sophia King here in the top of the first is that one fouled back out of play.

And there we solve an authorized ball.

She doesn't do it often.

She usually sticks to being east and West, but that's a great pitch to throw in the account that she was just in.

Conway looking to attack hittable pitches from Vaughn.

Here's the one to that one way outside.

I think it's really good for Conway right now.

Getting Sophia King on she's in scoring position.

It already puts a little bit of pressure on them early in the game, not just that a little bit of a confidence boost maybe is the two two offspeed again, Mrs. High little uncharacteristic from Von here in the early going, not quite sharp in terms of hitting her spots right?

I think so I think it's going to take a little bit for her to get settled herself, but she's going to find her stride.

The three two.

Fouled back to the screen and we mentioned bentonville's experience.

You know they have all these state championships, but it's important to remember that only five of the players on this current roster played in that last state championship game back and or the glass state tile they want.

I should say, back in 2018.

The three two.

On the ground a short Perry in time over the 1st for out #3.

Conway gets a leadoff single from Sophia King, but can't bring her in as we head to the bottom of the first.

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We want to welcome you in if you are just joining us through these 68 state softball championship between the Bentonville Tigers, Amy Conway.

Lady Cats welcome everybody.

Sending part Dorian craft.

Happy to have you with us and if you're just joining us, Conway got a good start.

They got a leadoff single from Sophia King not able to bring her around and in in Sydney.

If you're Conway, could you have asked for a better start in a game where Bentonville is clearly the heavy favorite?

Oh no, that was a great start.

You know, top of the first.

They make a little bit of noise.

They're putting pressure on Bentonville.

Defense Sophia King is outstanding at the plate.

She can do it all from the left side, so to see her step up as a leadoff hitter, a freshman, and get on base for her team, and then some more balls being put in play off of an could have asked for a better start, Bentonville coming to the plate in the bottom of the first.

It will be Emily Perry, Kenzie Derryberry, Sarah wants and then the pitcher Mackenzie Vaughan and they will be facing the junior from Conway.

Is that one fouled over to the first baseline.

Caitlin Erickson, who has been outstanding for Conway in the state tournament.

Caitlin Erickson has been outstanding.

She does a really great job as a pitcher, keeping the hitters off balance.

She likes to mix speeds and that's what Coach Tata Hickey said as she wants to keep these hitters off balance.

Video one from Ericsson taken outside for a ball.

Another thing in the pictures that Erikson throws is she likes to move east to West with that curve screwball, she throws a change up some rise.

She's a sits around 52 to 55.

Fouled back to the screen for strike two, Harry.

One of the five seniors on this team and you see a commit.

The team leader in doubles with 15 coming into today's game and she was instrumental in their state semifinal win over Bryant LED off that game with a double ended up scoring on a hit by Mackenzie Derryberry as she takes the one to all the way.

And that is a leadoff home run for Emily Perry over the right field wall.

We just talked about Sophia King Dorian, but Emily Perry leading off with a home run to start the bottom of the first.

Outstanding at that like you just said, she's a great hitter up at the plate.

She gets a lot of extra bases, but she also gets the job done to hitting home runs as we can see that curveball off the plate.

I mean driving it over the right field, but she really stayed on that pitch very well.

The 10th home run on the year for Emily Perry and that really wasn't a bad one.

Two pitch from Caitlin Erickson on it all.

It was off the plate OK in Perry's still got a piece of it, enough to hit it over the fence and I honestly don't even think she got all of it.

So that was a really great pitch by Ericsson.

What better way to start a state championship game than with a leadoff home run and that will bring up?

The shortstop the junior Kenzie Derryberry talk about tongue twisters.

Folks who've got Emily Perry McKenzie Derryberry, lots of Ares going on in this Benton lineup.

Bentonville rather.

She leaves at 1 high.

Now I'm going to be honest, Dorian, we were talking to Coach Kent early when he was explaining his players.

I'm like yeah, those are some tongue twisters.

Marvin, even behind the plate, checking to make sure that Derryberry did not go around till they want.

Wilson says no, so it's two.

And oh, not one fell back to the screen.

Kinsey Derryberry, she is a huge piece to this team.

Coach early says a lot that she is their hardest worker.

She's the one that's there even when the doors aren't open.

She's putting in the extra work consistently to be her very best for her team.

The two one.

High and outside and Sage Teague taking a little walk out to the pitchers mound, trying to calm down her junior starter.

I think you know, leading off with the Homer.

That's not exactly what she want to start off the bottom of the first inning, but Sage Teague is huge for Erickson.

She really, you know, is a reason why she's so successful.

31 gets are swinging.

That was a nice comeback pitch from Eric.

Said that is a phenomenal comeback.

Pitching A31 count really attacking her inside with that tight screwball.

Full count and she gets derryberry chasing up high.

That is a great pitch by Erickson throwing that low rise ball a little bit out of the zone to get her to chase in a full count.

You know, as a hitter sometimes it's easy to expand your zone and it's early on in the game.

The thing that I'm loving to see from Ericsson right here is she really does spin the ball well.

She's more movement than speed and you love to see it.

No time to take a breath is Sarah Watson.

Steps to the plate?

What's the first one go low for a ball, but these first three hitters in this Bentonville lineup?

All hitting 435 or above?

For one, oh.

Teague tries to frame it, but too far outside for home plate umpire Marvin and you know, to be honest, Dorian.

I'm not trying to backtrack here, but that's about the same pitch that period over the right field fence was that far outside reminds me a little bit of Braxton Burnside going after some of those pitches off the point, just so she could have something to hit.

The two oh skride alley.

Macmillan calling forward it short camps under it for out too.

And that's a great job by Caitlin throwing that rise ball to get her to get underneath it.

Nothing that she's doing right here.

She's really keeping these hitters the past two on their toes.

She's throwing it all around screwball, rise ball, curveball doing a great job.

Watson sharing some information with Mackenzie Vaughan is Vaughn, the number 4 hitter steps to the plate.

Takes a look at strike one and it was really McKenzie Vaughn that got things going for the Bentonville Tigers in that state.

Semifinal over Bryant hit a two run Homer in the bottom of the first inning and it was all tigers from there.

Quickly go into.

She's quickly like you just said oh into.

She first pitch went outside with the curveball, came back in with the screw.

She's working really east to West right now against Vaughn.

Another thing about Vanya.

Love to see him.

We've seen it the whole you know the past day and 1/2 as these pictures are so versatile too.

Pancho's bunt pulls back, just gets a piece of it to stay alive.

And to me, I feel like that's something that we don't see as much.

We've seen a little bit over the two days the show bunt and then pull back on that two strike.

It seems more often than not teams recently have gone to that full baseball mentality of just swing away.

The 02 fouled back to the screen again, right exactly to go off of your point, Dory, and we have seen this a lot.

You know, maybe this is more of their coaches philosophy with two strikes wanting to really shorten up the swing, just you know, you know, contact, put the ball in play with two strikes.

It's not always a bad thing.

The 02 devonne again out of playing with Kenzie Vaughn, keeping herself alive here already.

The fifth pitch of the effect.

Also doing that, it allows the hitter with two strikes to see the ball better to be able to track, to track it better, sometimes without doing that, you tend to chase a little bit.

Mackenzie Vaughn hitting 352 on the year, 31 hits, ten doubles, five home runs.

And she takes ball one.

All that football 1 all of it.

It's a good at bat though you know she's behind 02.

What makes a quality at bat in an 02 count is going 4 pitches after that and she has succeeded.

So this is already oqab.

Thought about it for his second check yourself before she gets me.

I like that oqab quality about.

Yeah, when I was at Arkansas it was a really big deal that even if you didn't get a base it you come back to the duck out.

Look at the chart.

There's a lot of things that still making it back quality.

Just like the acronym over Khwab.

We're gonna start using that in the broadcast.

You guys hear it later today, you'll know where it came from.

Is that one?

Check back over the stands.

And again, I just want to point out Von.

She started the account.

Oh and two taking 2 pitches looking and she's really she is really worked.

This count to back to two and two putting herself more in a positive council will see what she does here.

This will be the ninth pitch of the at bat.

The two two swung on and missed as Ericsson gets Mackenzie Vaughan swinging, but it is Bentonville that strikes first leadoff home run by Emily Perry putting the Tigers out in front as we head to the top of his second.

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In the rest of State championship weekend, we've got softball going on and we've got baseball and soccer starting today as we take a look at.

Conway head coach Chad Hickey, in her 8th season for the Lady Cats and she stopped by in the press box a little bit earlier.

She was dropping off her line, hoping soon as she said she was way more nervous than any of the players.

I guess that's not a bad thing, you know.

As long as your players, they're the ones who are playing as long as they're not nervous.

I guess that can't ask for more than that.

I've always thought it's a little bit more nerve wracking to watch than it is to play.

You don't quite have as much control as you do an employer situation with Conway looking at control.

This half of the inning as they go.

Conrad Conley Ericsson coming up to the plate is that one fouled back?

Talking about Caitlin Conrad, Kuchiki did talk about she was hit in the hand early in this season.

It's been something that she's having to work through.

I think we said it was a similar situation of like Hannah Gamble up at Arkansas came up with the hands.

No hands very sensitive.

She takes that one.

Hi, for ball number 2 and that was in a game against Bentonville West back on April the 13th.

She was hit on the hand biopic.

She said she's only really now getting back to full strength almost or more than a month later.

The two one from Vaughn flared out to right.

It's going to drop in.

Just fell and you hate that.

It's been majority of the season that she's having to battle this hand problem, but I guess if she's you know now better what a better time to be.

Better for the state final game or Conrad.

One of the stars of Conway's 5 four win over harbor back in the first round had the walkoff hit that sent them into the corner finals against Rogers.

And that one sent out to right field.

It is deep, but it is playable out there.

Ryan Sanders in right field.

And so far we only have the one hit, but they've put some good swings on the balls from Mackenzie Vaughan so far he really have, and that's something that coach Ricky talked about is we just got to come out swinging the bat?

You know, putting the ball in play and make bentonville's defense work.

And I think against Bond.

She has a lot of strikeouts.

She's a very successful picture, so it's good that they're early on making some things happen.

The Freshmen Breeland Conley taking strike one.

Grayling Conley, she's a freshman who started playing varsity early on in the season.

She is dominant on the left side, dabbles and slapping a tad.

Chase is that one low for strike two.

She likes to stand in and swing away and it's just incredible to see on both teams.

These freshmen getting the opportunity at the beginning of their careers.

The O2 from Von swung on sliced Val.

Instead, he mentioned it at the top of the broadcast.

Just how young this Conley team is, but in their starting nine, only one or two rather two seniors out of their entire entire starting 9.

Go 2.

And that says a lot.

You know those two seniors.

I'm sure that they're doing a phenomenal job with the younger classmen really showing them the ropes and helping to lead them.

But to have this many freshman, that's going to be a good amount of years that you're going to build off of.

Specially for coach achy.

The one to what of Hitch delay off of that was a nice looking change it but a really good job by Conway to hold off of it.

That was a great job by breathing Conley.

That's a tough *****.

Delay off of especially with two strikes.

She got a little bit out in front, but she held A22 line but right at Derryberry at short.

And that's also not about it that you know she got behind in the count, but she worked it back to a 22 count laid off of a really great changeup.

You know, we talked about it yesterday.

It's a game of inches, and here it is.

Hard liner to Kinsey, Derek Derryberry and we talked about yesterday.

It's a game of inches sometimes.

You know the ball went to the left or the right makes a difference.

The pitcher Caitlin Erickson stepping to the plate.

Here it is.

Another pitcher who hits of the versatility.

Not just hits, but hits for power.

Ericsson with a big double against Cabot in that state semifinal.

That was a big talk about confidence boost.

That's a big confidence boost for this Conway program.

She lays off the rise most definitely in coach Cope at Cabot.

He does such a great job with his team every single year that he's been head coach.

He's, you know, really has built that program up.

And I mean nine.

One game.

That's a huge win against a very powerful program valve directly back at the screen.

And you know, I'm pretty sure that Bentonville is probably happy not to have to see Captain the state final again.

Anyway, those of you in Arkansas.

You remember Benton bells in cab?

It's fantastic.

2019 State championship game up at Bogle Park where the Lady Panthers scored late to up and Bentonville as they went for their fourth straight state title.

And I mean that just really speaks volumes to the Cabot program.

But I'm sure you know, Coach Cope isn't happy right now that he's not in this game.

But that's also an exciting win for Conway to get to this point, the 22.

Taken inside and not didn't miss by much.

No, it didn't miss by much and I think we heard a little bit from the crowd.

She threw a great screwball on the inside corner.

I guess it just missed just a tad.

It looks like Benton the five a champions from yesterday.

Here is that one tapped on the ground to Perry easy out over it.

First Conway goes 123 in the top of the second we head to the bottom half of the inning with Bentonville, leading one to nothing.

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Download the Engage Arkansas PBS app today for exclusive content Bentonville leading Conway, one to nothing as we head into the bottom of the second here in these 68 state championship game.

A familiar face on the sidelines for anyone who's familiar with Arkansas State, Soft or Arkansas.

Softball is Bentonville head coach Kent Earley's been there 19 years.

Is that once sent out to the right center gap?

Casey Wood swinging at the first pitch.

Thought about trying to stretch it to a double for a second.

She will settle for a leadoff single that is a great piece of hitting by wooden.

The right center field gap, but I'm going to give props to Sophia King.

She read the ball right off the bat, took an incredible angle in the gap to cut it off to keep her to only a single.

Peterson, rushing and Stafford coming up tonight Casey would.

And if you're Conway, one thing that you can't afford to do is continue to give up leadoff hits to Bentonville if they want to have a chance of controlling this offense.

That's exactly right, Dorian, and that's something every inning you really have to minimize getting your leadoff runner on.

I mean, last any we saw the leadoff home run, but a lot of times you've really gotta minimize that.

Tristan, Tristan Peterson, one of the fantastic sophomores on this Tigers team, batting 419, coming into this game.

31 hits.

She found that one back to the screen.

Right now the Bentonville hitters are having a little bit of trouble with Erikson's low rise.

She's doing that very well.

It's not really jumping too far out of the zone at staying low right underneath their hands, and we talk about comparisons to some of the players that you see at the higher levels.

Very merry half like throwing that low rise right in underneath the armpits for the strike.

The one one.

No one stays in the dirt going back to Mary half really quickly as they are playing in their regional.

She does a fantastic job of throwing that low rise that stays through the zone, but then also a chase pitch out of the zone.

And I agree with you, we've seen that from Ericsson.

The two one.

That one missed on the outer half of the plate and a similar pattern that I've been seeing from her.

She's working these hitters off the plate with a curveball coming back in with the screw and then once she's kind of getting ahead in the count, she's throwing that low rise to get him to chase.

Sage tea taking a couple steps out shouting directions that are in field.

She's back behind the plane is Erickson.

Set for the three one swung on, just missed.

And again, this is another count that we're seeing Erickson work back.

She was in a 31 count earlier, made a phenomenal pitch and then here she is again in the three one count, getting Peterson to a full count.

There's a nine page about Mackenzie Vaughan in the first sitting.

This one now on pitch #6 as it is popped up on the infield.

Macmillan calling everybody off.

She's done for out #1 and that's a great job right there talking about getting your leadoff runner on, but to get her to pop up and keep her at first base.

That's exactly what you want in this situation.

Once it needs some coaches may be concerned that Erickson already throwing so many pitches this early on but not shot a Hickey.

She expects Erickson Big throw, maybe 150 pitches in this game.

She said she's totally comfortable with that number, no right, and she's been doing it the entire season.

So like you said yesterday, what's seven more innings?

Lena rushing the junior slaps it down the line, but foul.

Brushing is a great slapper to implement into this powerful lineup you like to have a mixture in there where it's not all just power, but she's in the seven hole for a reason.

She really gets the job done.

Gives us Tigers lineup a little bit of a different look.

She's leading the team in average and she is off and running.

And would in there safely with a stolen base.

And that's a great job.

I would.

She gets a really good break.

Really great timing there.

Sliding safely into second.

She was there way before the ball even got there, speedy.

Would up into scoring position for Alina Rushing, who doesn't have a ton of RBI's 26 comparatively not a ton of RBI's and RBI's really aren't something you expect to see from Lefty Slappers.

But now a days it feels like they're a little bit more versitile than they were maybe 10 or 15 years ago.

They're not just looking to set the ball down, a lot of these lefty slappers they can hit and put the ball out in the outfield giving you know their their teammates an opportunity to score.

No, you're exactly right during you know.

A long time ago we saw slappers really just wanted to pound into the ground and.

You know we're seeing Slappers lefties who can do it all they can, but they can, you know, play the short game.

They can also stay in and hit for power.

I've been seeing a lot of slappers here recently, really implementing the power slot, and I think that's crucial.

Something you know a little bit about.

Well, just a little bit that was my Forte I guess.

The O2 gets are swinging and that is a big out #2 that is a huge out in a phenomenal pitch by Erickson.

Keeping that on the outside part of the plate, she does a great job of mixing speeds.

We saw her take a little bit off there and that got rushing out in front.

Conway trying to keep Casey would who lead off the inning with a single from coming around to give the Tigers a 20 lead.

The sophomore cadence Stafford standing in now.

Looks at ball one.

And this just says a lot about Erickson, right?

She's got a lot of innings throughout.

She's had a lot of innings pitched throughout the season, and you know she has a runner at second.

She's found a way to get the job done.

Stafford 443 thirty five hits, 266 home runs.

10 swung on and missed.

That is another great pitch.

At elevated pitch up in the Zone City as you mentioned, giving these hitters a little bit of trouble here early on right, and I know I said it last inning, but she's really doing a great job of mixing speeds mixing her pitches.

She isn't relying on one side of the plate.

The one one.

Just a little low.

New Erickson not really fazed either.

By giving up that leadoff parent home run to Emily Perry.

When they were in the quarter finals against Rogers, they were up.

4 Rogers scored three shoes, very calm about that.

She went through the powerful Cabot lineup.

Is that one fouled back towards the screen?

T gives chase just out of her reach, but Erickson very calm no matter what the situation is and a lot of that credit also coach to coach Chad Hickey told us goes to her senior catcher Sage teak right.

And she talked about Teague very highly of her that she is a big piece to Ericsson success.

The two two.

Found back to the screen is Stafford stays alive and to go back to your point, Dory, and it's great to have a pitcher who can remain calm, right?

I mean everything stems off of her, so if you're on defense and you see your picture getting a little bit rattled, that can maybe tend to make you a little bit nervous and rattled as well.

Erickson threw an 11 strikeout 2 hit game in that state semifinal win over Cabot, the 22.

Stafford takes it low as she is 1 the count full and this is a great at bat by Stafford but also a great job by Erickson.

She's working those pitches off the plate trying to get her to chase.

She didn't chase there, which is a good thing.

'cause I mean it was clearly off the plate by by a bit.

Runner on second with two outs for Bentonville and the Count is full.

Here's the pitch.

Popped up, this one will be playable by Conrad and she is got it for out #3 so Bentonville gets a leadoff single but can't do anything with it as we head to the top of the third inning.

Tigers still leading, you're watching this Centennial State softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

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46 A state softball championship.

The rain has moved on out and dealt with a little bit of it yesterday afternoon.

These stands are packed as they are here to see the Conway Wampus Cats in the Bentonville Tigers battle for these 6A state championship.

As we've mentioned Conway looking for their first state title in program history, the first ever state championship game for that matter.

Oh my gosh, well this is definitely exciting and right now I think they should be pretty excited.

Keeping it to 10 ballgame.

Sidney Wiser, Allison Hall and then back to the top of the lineup for Conway this inning.

Takes ball too low city, wiser someone that coach Achy talked about being so extremely consistent at the plate.

I think that shows from her On Base Percentage.

It's pretty high.

Looks at strike one on the outer part of the plate.

Eyes are on base just under half the time for 83 coming into today, coming 346 for the Conway Wampus Cats.

Is that one put into play range over by wood.

Throw was off the mark.

Interested Peterson not able to hold on.

You know, that's really a good play by would, that's all you know a hard hit ball through the the 5-6 whole is she comes across the diamond.

She stays down through it just the throw was a little bit off but you know good thing Trista Peterson laid out for it probably would have gone past or if not.

The book is an E5, so Conway in business.

With a runner on 1st and here we are seeing Conway get their leadoff hitter on so a lot of any half innings have been played that way.

The Wampus Cats getting in the leadoff runner on for the second time in three innings as Sophia King got a leadoff single to start the game with the Wampus Cats not able to bring her in and.

Allison Hall his senior.

Quickly go into.

And that's really a big thing to get your leadoff hitter on.

I mean, I'm going to talk about from my experience at Arkansas.

That was a big thing that our coaches harped on is, you know, let's get the leadoff hitter on good things happen the 02.

Ali Hall strikes out on 3 pitches.

I want to talk about Sarah Watson really quickly.

This is the first catcher coach early has allowed to call the game.

He is not calling the pitches she is and I think that says a lot about her softball smarts.

He says that she is a vision.

An would also probably be a future coach.

King leaves that one low important to remember that Sarah wants, and only a sophomore, so that indicates the level of trust that coach early has in such a young player.

Almost definitely that says a lot about who she is.

An athlete, Anna person.

You know one back on the ground up the middle ranging.

What a play.

By Kim McKenzie derryberry.

That was an incredible play by Derryberry and in the pregame warmup coach early was hitting her some balls like that.

We're seeing her come and throw on the run.

Phenomenal job coming to get that on the hop throwing on the run you don't see athletes make that type of play often an Sophia King Super Speedy to get her out.

Made that one look easy, but.

Wiser, wiser does move to 2nd on the fielders choice now and back up the Middle Glove by Vaughn over to 1st to get the out.

That ball hit hard, but Mackenzie Vaughan fielding her position as she keeps Conway from crossing the plates Bentonville still leading one to nothing.

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Welcome back to the 68 state championship between Bentonville Anne Conway V. Student athlete of the game is Rogers Madison Henley, the pitcher and shortstop hearing a 3.9 GPA as a senior plans whose head Northeastern State University play softball and major in finance.

I got an opportunity to watch her play in that game against Conway.

Had a big two run double to help Rodgers get back into that game.

Is.

Erickson starts off the inning with a ball.

Riley Hayes.

She's a slapper in this lineup that does a really good job being in the nine spot.

Turning the lineup over to get it back to the top.

She's also committed to University of Arkansas Fort Smith.

Takes ball too low not for softball.

She's committed for basketball.

I mean, come on, these athletes are so good it's not even just softball, it's other sports.

We've seen.

Volleyball, basketball.

The prevalent thought has seemed to kind of go back and forth between multisport athletes.

In single sport athletes and when I was coming up more years ago than I would like to admit, the thought was really needed to concentrate on one sport.

If you were going to get recruited in one are taken seriously at the college level, it seems to have shifted back to now.

They want to see multi sport athletes who are good at multiple things.

Right during a talk about that, I mean my personal opinion.

OK, I'm gonna give it.

I think it's good to be a multi sport athlete.

I think there's facets of each game that helped to carry over into the other game.

I think it just helps you athletically to be well rounded.

I do too.

Absolutely the three one.

Taken for strike.

#2 is Erikson's battled mount, battled back to bring this to a full count and here she is again.

She's been behind as a pitcher but she's worked at back and that says a lot about who she is as a pitcher.

She's very gritty.

The three two from Ericsson.

Tap foul.

Conrad thought she might be able to get to it 1 bit too far out of her range.

This is also a good job by Hayes.

It's her first time facing Erickson, working it to a full count you really want to see as many pictures as possible.

Again, the three two.

Line back up the middle and that was a rocket off the bat of Riley Hayes, right, and Hayes just hit it right back where it came from.

Ericsson threw her an off speed pitch and is a slapper sometimes that gets you in a little bit of trouble, but she did a phenomenal job of keeping her hands back waiting, letting it travel to power through it.

That's a great head up the middle.

Sage tea gout.

To talk to Caitlin Erickson is.

That brings up Emily Perry.

He let off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run over right field and to go back to Hays.

That's what coach early said.

She does a great job in the 9 hole doing her job turning the lineup over another leadoff hitter getting on base.

Bentonville's had the leadoff hitter in each of the three innings.

Is Perry turns to bunt often going.

But Teague, what a throw to nail Riley Hayes.

That's a great job by.

Seeing you know, Perry squared around to bunt pulled back sometimes.

That's hard for a catcher.

It gets caught in your vision, but that is a phenomenal job gunning haze out at second base.

Who has a lot of speed.

We saw her try to do a hook slide, so that was good by Macmillan.

Really holding on to that to make the tag.

Not to be outdone by the throw that tag by Ali Macmillan to ensure that they got Hayes and now Emily Perry within 01 count.

How's it back to the screen for O2 and no longer a runner on for a hitter as powerful as Emily Perry?

No, right.

That's exactly what Conway needed, though.

In that situation, having the leadoff hitter on 1st, you know, I don't like that.

I don't think it's a bad idea that coach early just called that it's still 10 ball game in the bottom of the third.

The 02 found a way.

You can't be too careful with Emily Perry that home run that she hit was in a 12 count, so she's not afraid.

Or I should say afraid, but she's Cape, certainly capable of hitting a two strike pitch for extra bases for a home run.

You're exactly right and what we saw in her first about that pitch was off the plate.

So similar to what you said, Braxton Burnside.

She can hit about anything that's thrown at her.

I'm going to wait until someone pulls out the Vlad Guerrero from back in the day where it hops.

And he hits it for a home run as Perry out to write an op.

One is off the wall.

Quickly in by Sophia King, but Emily Perry with a double and just like we were talking about on a 12 pitch, she hammers it and didn't miss her second home run of the day by much that was just a couple of inches from going over.

No, you're exactly right, and honestly I think Sophia King turned around expecting it to go over, but it ended up hitting off the wall.

What a great two at bats for Perry.

This is a big time moment there in the final game and again Dorian, that ball was off the plate that she just hit off the fence.

Her team leading 16th double of the season for Emily Perry, Kenzie Berry stepping in now for an RBI opportunity.

Derryberry struck out in the first as she leaves that one high 16th double.

But that just doesn't happen.

16 doubles, 16 doubles, nine home runs, two for ten home runs rather with a home run in the first inning.

Talk about having a season.

Perry establishing why she is one of the best commits in the state of Arkansas as we mentioned, will play at Central Arkansas.

Next year's Derryberry chases up high.

Coach David Q and getting a great player and Emily Perry, though most definitely Coach Q and has had a lot of great players come out of the Bentonville program.

The one one.

Left upstairs, you're going to talk about great players to come out of the Bentonville program to go to UCA.

Jenna Wildeman named to the third Teen NFC a All South yesterday, for she was a standout for Bentonville.

Sinano you played against her in high school.

You remember her well, right?

I sure did.

We played against one another in high school, and she's so fast.

I mean, she leads the country in stolen bases.

That is, you know, a big.

Thinking itself.

It says something about the ability of Emily Perry that David Q and wants to bring her in because he really favors that lefty heavy lineup.

He said all things even he'll take a lefty overit every single time.

The righty has to be able to hit for power.

And Emily Perry certainly showing that here today is that once guide it will stay on the infield.

Conrad calls off McMillan for out #2 you're exactly right and Coach Q and he just doesn't.

Awesome job as a head coach and is really built up UCAS program.

His biggest you know motto is speed never slumps, but he also likes those power hitters do.

It's a good problem to have speed power and I'm going to talk about the UCA connections, his daughter Cheyenne, the first base coach for Conway here this afternoon, so this one has stamps of UCA all over it all over it.

I wonder if he's here to watch your goat.

To recruit too, you never know.

I haven't seen him, haven't seen him running around, but as we mentioned the the stands here today at Ventnor full we had two full games yesterday and again fans have showed out to cheer these two teams on is Sarah Watson.

Up in the count 10.

Erickson still having some success with that rise ball.

Oh, she has been rise ball dominant today.

She's really gotten these Bentonville hitters to chase.

And I mean, that's exactly what you want.

You want them to chase and expand their zone and get outside of themselves.

The one wonder Watson.

Found back over the press box.

And to go back to her throwing this rise ball, she's had a lot of swing and misses on that pitch.

And then a few popups.

Four to be exact, I was just counting the same four popups.

3 strikeouts for the junior.

The one to left outside.

I don't.

I don't mind that pitch it's it's way off the plate, but I don't mind her trying to, you know, kind of entice those batters.

Maybe to expand that zone.

So far they've been fairly disciplined on the outside, hasn't been quite the same case up in the zone.

22 Again fouled back and out of play.

You're exactly right, and I know it's a 22 count now, but that 1/2 count throwing that off the plate to try to get them to chase, you know, maybe they chase.

Maybe they don't.

But then, as we see here, she threw a pitch, fouled off even at back up to a 22 count.

Erickson already is thrown a lot of pitches 7.

Bentonville batters have gone to two, two or three two counts, and we're just in the bottom of the third inning.

Tutu.

And she gets Watson chasing upstairs for out #3 so Erickson works around a one out double by Emily Perry to keep this a one nothing ball game.

We head to the top of the fourth.

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I don't know about you, but this is one I would definitely want to watch again.

We have had a fantastic game here so far through the first three innings.

You you cannot be a 10 ball game.

This has been pretty much a pitchers duel.

We've had both offenses make some noise, but this is definitely a game you're going to want to have.

Macmillan Teague, Conrad up for Conway as we start the top of the fourth ending, only one hit for the Wampus Cats.

That was the leadoff single by Sophia King.

To start off the game, but if you're Conway and you want to get something started, there is no better part of your lineup and especially no one would want up more than Ali Macmillan.

She is hit.

A ton as she smacks that one, but right at derryberry it short.

That's a good piece of hitting.

By Macmillan.

It's again a game of inches.

She hit it directly at Derryberry, and that was a good play by Derryberry.

Really staying with that ball.

The turf, you know it's a little bit different than the dirt.

It stays more true to the hop, but talking about Macmillan she.

Does a great job putting the ball in play.

We've seen Derryberry make a couple of nice plays out there at short and to your point about it plays true.

It does is that once slapped out of play foul, but it also plays faster than traditional.

Dirt does almost definitely, and as you could kind of see there, she hit the ball extremely hard, but as it was coming to derryberry it was picking up some speed.

Sage Teague also hits the ball hard is the 01 she looks at the off speed from Mackenzie Vaughan for strike two.

It's a great pitch by Vaughn 01.

Count coming back with that change up in an 02 count.

Now she's working ahead.

Mackenzie Vaughan and all conference player.

As a sophomore, not one ripped right at Casey would talk about some defense.

This is 2 back to back hits that have been missiles.

Casey would an Kinsey Derryberry just building their position?

Well, I don't think she had much time to react to that, but she did a good job getting it.

Look at her with a snag.

I can tell you that is definitely a ball that catches you more than you catch that ball just right.

Place right time and that is why I always wear a mouth guard.

I like my teeth.

On one of those in the face Oh no, right.

During your teeth for the rest of your life stop only last for a short period of time.

One of the things that stands out to me about this Bentonville team is actually the only one you see wearing the face mask that have become popular is Mackenzie Vaughan.

The rest of the infield not wearing them right, and I'm going to be honest, I'm a big advocate for the face mask, especially if you're a pitcher like I just said, you've got your face for the rest of your life so awful.

Only last for a short period of time.

There's nothing wrong with it.

The 02.

High in foul but out of play and you know a picture that we've seen get hit or you know, if you know who she is, it's Paige Lowry.

She pitched it to you.

She got hit back in the face and she threw hard.

She was a lefty pitcher.

She threw around 70 to 75 at times back at you fast.

My gosh so she started wearing a face mask.

Once that happened the O2 that one smoked out to left.

What a trash.

Alena rushing with the grab.

Oh my goodness, so Lena.

Rushing robs Caitlin Conrad of what looked like a surefire base hit to ensure that Bentonville stayed in the lead.

The tigers of 1 nothing we head to the bottom of the fourth.

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You know, I think sports are really big to a lot of people, and because it is an important part of our fabric in our community and the one good thing about what I've seen is its high quality production.

You know, you think of the small communities all over Arkansas.

It's a big deal that they can turn on the TV or DVR or whatever and they're going to quality product.

And so I think it just expands the focus of what PBS is doing.

You know Arkansas PBS is doing a great job and I think it's part of education.

And welcome back everyone.

Let's look at this catch by Elena rushing.

She turns and goes and gets the grab off the left centerfield wall.

Phenomenal play.

That's a big time moment.

Talk about some defense fiddles defense, I mean wow, that was 123 please.

We've seen a little bit of everything in this game a little bit of hitting a little bit of hitching in a whole lot of defense and.

Speaking of pitching, it's a picture versus pitcher's Erickson.

Comes to the plate against Bentonville pitcher Kenzie Vaughn and Erickson got the best of on it in the last inning.

Struck out von on a full count right.

She did get Von on a full count and that was a really good job pitching divine.

He's a powerful hitter by Ericsson.

They worked, they worked the count.

They went and numerous pitches pops are up, back and out of play talking about Von.

She is great on the mound as we've seen she's great at the plate.

She also was the Democrat Gazette Arkansas Player of the Year.

That's a big time accolade.

I was a freshman back in 2018 and Kennerley joke that they've actually had Mackenzie Vaughan for seven years instead of four.

She started tagging along Diversey Practice as a 7th grader with her sister Morgan Vaughn, and that'll make her sister proud.

Just slices a single out there to right field to start the inning.

And that's a great job by Vaughn.

That's a curveball off the play time, you know that wasn't on the plate.

That was a little bit off of it.

She really stayed on it and stayed through it.

Getting it over Sydney Wiser's head.

When is the fourth time in four innings that.

Bentonville has got the leadoff runner on, and now we're going to see a pin or a courtesy runner rather for Bentonville.

Sidney rueda.

And to go back to that four times getting the leadoff hitter on.

That's something to be proud of as an offense.

I know it's still a 10 ball game, but that's exactly what you want every inning to get to get that leadoff hitter on, and they've executed that well now they can just figure out a way to move her from first to home.

When that brings up, Casey would who tattooed the ball off the fence in her first at bat it went for the long single to lead off the bottom of the second.

Will it pops up the bunt Tigue there to make the grab?

And in that situation, that's not ideal.

That's not what you want Erickson, throwing that low rise.

She knew what would was going to do.

She knew that she was going to try to sacrifice bunt to get Vaughn moved over to 2nd.

And that's a great pitch.

In that situation, she got exactly what she wanted for her to pop up the bunt credit to Conway head coach at a Hickey who calls the pitches for this team.

Knowing Sidney, as you mentioned, she was going to likely be sacrificed.

Bonding in that situation, calling the rise well got exactly what she wanted.

Is that one again up in the zone fouled back by Tristan Peterson who popped up to Allie Macmillan?

It short her first time up.

I think we're going to continue to see Erickson throwing these Bentonville hitters up in the zone and till they can show her otherwise.

And you mentioned it at the beginning of the broadcast.

Normally Erickson not as much of a rise ball pitcher, traditionally likes to move it Eastern last, but right now the rise balls in what's effective right exactly and I think as a picture you have pitches that you heavily rely on, but I think it also depends on what type of offense you're facing, just that given day something might be working more than other pitches, go to that one hammered.

Does it say fair?

Yes it is.

Marvin Eaton signals home run in that is a blast.

That's a great job at Trista Peterson.

We just talked about Erikson throwing them up in the zone.

As I said, until they can prove her differently.

Interested Peterson did his pitch is elevated in the zone.

She kept her hands up and above the ball, blasting it over the left field wall and that didn't just barely clear it.

That ball cleared it by a long shot.

The 5th home run for the year of the year for Tristan Peterson cleared that 200 mark by a long way they're going to.

It looks like we had a conversation.

I heard some booing.

I want to talk really quickly, Dorian about that home.

Run.

This now marks Bentonville's 50th home run for their season, tying their record for Bentonville.

Overall, their single season home run record tying it at 50.

It looks like there was some question about whether or not that ball was going to be fair or foul as it crossed the pole and they will say it is fair as we play on here and it is the defensive star of the last half inning.

Elena rushing coming to the plate and Cindy talk about a momentum swing.

You have that ball that was hammered that rushing tracked down at the wall and then bensville comes in here and gets a huge two run home run.

And now it just feels like the momentum is totally shifted into the Tigers dugout.

You're exactly right.

Door a momentum is a huge part of this.

Ford going off of what the play that rushing made out on defense coming now offensively.

I think this inning of their offense stemmed from her making that great grab.

And sometimes that's just how it happens to your defensive plays.

Can bleed over and roll over into jump starting your offense.

Almost definitely, that's usually how it happens, right?

You have a big defensive inning.

You can come and get the job done offensively.

And that's something that this team does.

They have every piece to the puzzle.

Their phenomenal in the circle on defense at the plate.

They are the total package.

1/2 to rushing.

Found out of play.

I'm seeing Erickson right now, throwing a lot of offspeed to rushing.

She did the same thing to Riley Hayes in the 9 hole and she blasted it back up the middle, but right now she's consistently throwing rushing off speed pitches and that's it.

That's a pitch that's pretty tough for a slopper You led me right into what I was going to say is she looks at a ball on the outer half of the plate as a lefty slappers, approaching their moving, and so is the ball so it can make the timing really an issue, right?

Exactly?

And in that situation, when you pickup changeup as you're moving through the box, it is crucial that you keep your hands back and you let the ball travel.

The two two.

In the dirt for G3, I'll have to take your word for it.

I was never fast enough because slapper.

No one ever thought to turn me around from the left side.

They're like, oh, you just get from the right side.

You're fine.

Hey, being a powder power hitter on the right side, there's nothing wrong with that.

We all have our strengths.

You play to him exactly.

Not everyone is meant to be super fast.

It's fine no, no, not at all.

Bentonville leading 30 in the bottom of the fourth and Erickson responds to the home run with a strikeout avalina rushing.

We really talked about Erickson earlier.

The type of picture that she is, how she remains calm and that is huge to come back after a home run is hit off of you.

To get that next batter out.

The four strikeout of the day for Caitlin Erickson and now Cadence Stafford.

Steps in over one on the afternoon.

For one in.

Cadence Stafford she's another person athlete on the team who gets the job done at the plate.

An out on defense.

She was ranked number 75 outfielder for the 2023 class.

Then she takes that one.

Low for ball too as well in just another example of the talent that Bentonville not only has, but the town that they have coming behind them.

Two of their sophomores are already rated by extra innings softball, and I mean that that in and of itself is an incredible to have two is that one fouled back and out of play?

And it's not just the fact that they're rated.

I don't think that they rated recruits.

When I was coming out of high school, or at least certainly not during your sophomore year.

No right, and I'm going to be honest.

It wasn't even really prevalent whenever I was playing, it came more from.

Your summer ball?

You didn't see it so much when you're playing for your high school team, so that accolade is huge.

The two one.

Swung on and missed upstairs and there's that rise ball again by Ericsson, but to go back to your point, Dorian to be ranked within the top 100 and across the entire country of high school players.

That says a lot about who you are as an athlete and she's still so young.

The two two from Ericsson fell back to the screen.

Stafford, along with Casey, would or the two players for Bentonville that are ranked already in that class of 2023.

And I don't think coach early has heard about it at all.

He's got two sophomores that are ranked that are going to be with him two more seasons, so that has to be exciting for him.

He looks on is the two two is delivered.

And Eric sing get Stafford swinging to end the inning, but not before Bentonville can add two more courtesy of a home run by Trisha Peterson.

The Tigers up three to nothing on Conway.

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By signing up to receive our newsletter at myaarpsps.org Backslash sign up, we head to the top of the fifth with Bentonville leading the Conway Wampus Cats three to nothing here in the six.

A state championship is that one found off the bat of reeling Conley as she tried to pull it back.

That's a tough pitch coming up in in at your hands when you're trying to square around a bunch trying to make something happen.

Truly hard to pull back on that pitch.

At first I thought it hit off of her hand, a little nervous for those unfortunate defensive fouls.

Just trying to protect yourself can't quite get the bat out of the way in time.

Mackenzie Vaughan delivers the 01 that one looked at for strike.

#2 fan is most definitely looking at these past 2 pitches, trying to throw Breland Conley tight inside.

Von now working with a three run lead and just in those two pictures in the couple of warm up pitches, it feels like that she's picking up a little bit of steam.

Almost definitely.

I think with those three runs at some assurance and so she's on the mound back to work, she's been going at these hitters the entire game beer, exactly right door on top of the fifth.

She's got a little more pep in her step.

That one called for strike three on the outer part of the plate.

Little bit of a tentative call there by Marvin Enat.

Homely, but it is a strikeout for Mackenzie Vaughan as she is crossed the 50 pitch threshold here in the state championship right and I think you're brilliant Conley.

You're not feeling too great about it, but with two strikes the pitches close.

You're in that sort of count.

Caitlin Erickson looks at strike one.

Mackenzie Vaughan came into the game with 124 strikeouts, so very high volume strikeout pitcher only three strikeouts here this afternoon, right, and we've kind of seen that common trend over the past day and a half.

As these pictures have high strikeouts over the season and then yesterday, I think it was the Greenwood Benton game.

Benton's pictures had a lot of strikeouts, but they had more balls put in play, I think.

Just in this moment, that's what these hitters are wanting to do, and I mean, she's still getting the job done.

Erickson fouls that ball back.

Tuesday, Mountain, of course the winning pitcher in that game between Benton in Greenwood and Sidney.

You're right, Tuesday melting came into that game with nearly 200 strikeouts on the season.

Who's had two?

Still was named the five, a state champion MVP for her team.

Here's the 1/2.

Swung on and missed by Erickson.

Would throws it down to first drop third strike and back to back strikeouts for Mackenzie Vaughan.

And that's the thing about pitching is, as you know, what your strength is.

But there's days where you're going to have strikeouts.

There's days where hitters are going to put the ball in play, but as long as we're getting the job done, can't complain about it.

All outs count the same exactly.

In step Sydney, wiser, she reached on an error in the top of the third inning.

That was that fantastic snagged by Casey Wood over it.

Third, but little wide on the throw.

Just one of two Conway hitters to reach base and reach second base at that Sophia King in the first inning.

Then wiser in the 3rd as she taps that one behind her.

But other than that this has been a fairly dominant.

Performance by Mackenzie Vaughan yeah Vons been stellar on the mound for her team.

She is really limited the hit the Conway hitters at the plate do not like you, said getting 60 feet at a time.

The 11.

Just a bit outside, Weiser takes it for Ball 2.

And now I really haven't watched von a lot, but just in this game, watching her right now she is a bulldog on the mound.

She is going to come at you.

The two one swung on and ripped through the 5-6 hole.

Sidney Wiser comes up with Conway second hit of the afternoon.

I'll tell you Sydney wiser.

She's seeing the ball.

Well, that ball was ripped through the 5-6 hole.

That's another great piece of hitting, putting the ball in play.

That ball was Titan side screwball.

She worked her hands inside to drive it.

We're going to get a pinch runner for Conway number one, the freshman Ella White, on to run for wiser.

And if your Conway, this is the type of thing you wanted.

Yes, there's two outs, but you're looking for anything right now to get you a little bit of momentum as you're getting into those final couple hours bright.

As you just said there in the top of the fifth inning, so there's three more innings left of work right here.

Two out rally that would not be a bad thing for gone way at all.

Allie Hall struck out on 3 pitches.

In her first at bat takes that one for strike one and being the first to bat.

She's trying to get settled.

This is her second time seeing Bond social policy.

More pitches here.

Chops that one back behind the plate.

And for Conway, as much as you want Ali Hall to roll this back up to the top of your lineup.

If she does in fact get out, you at least have some comfort in knowing that you've got things to start over.

At the top of the in the top of the sixth inning is that one again, another late call for a strike and Allie Hall.

Goes down on 3 pitches as Mackenzie Vaughan works around A2 out.

Single xiquets decide when we head to the bottom of the fifth inning with Bentonville leading 3.

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To place your order does mmproductions.net Bentonville leading 3 nothing here in the bottom of the fifth and the 6th state championship between the Tigers and the Conway Wampus Cats.

It'll be phased in the top of the order.

Emily Perianne, Kenzie Derryberry for the Tigers in this part of the inning.

Is singular.

Found the first pitch back.

She singled in her first at bat back in the bottom of the third.

And boy did she.

It was a great piece of hitting as she drove the ball back up the middle.

He's caught stealing for the first out of that inning on a great throw by Sage Teague.

Great catch it second by Allie Macmillan.

That one stays off the plate for ball, and another thing about Hayes is that we saw in her first to bet she slapped.

She moved through the box.

Now we see her standing in and swinging away.

And that's what makes these left handed hitters.

These slippers so good as they have so many tools putting pressure on the defense.

The 11.

Leaves that one high football too.

He's hitting 417 coming into the state championship game.

And This is why she's in the 9 hole.

Last time that she came up, she was the leadoff hitter for that inning.

She's the leadoff hitter again, trying to get on base to get it back to the top.

Bentonville has gotten the leadoff runner on in every inning.

That one felt backing out of play evens the count at two and two.

Bentonville three runs on six hits.

Those three runs have come in via two home runs, the first to lead off by Emily Perry.

That one backing out of play in the second A What we will say.

Potentially controversial.

Home run by Trista Peterson in the bottom half of the fourth inning.

Conway fans here at the Benton Sports Athletic Complex definitely thought that ball was foul.

Obviously Bentonville.

Very happy that the call stood that it was fair.

The two two flared back and out of play.

Nice catch there in the stands.

Will dab add some flair to it?

Get that man a glove.

Yeah yeah I'm out in the field.

I mean come on.

Got my glove in the car about it.

Brought it to the press box.

Very small window that's open in front of us.

You never know.

Gotta be ready never know what could happen crazy things happen in softball.

I think I saw a girls softball got stuck in her face all that was Texas A&M off a foul ball.

She found it off of her hands.

It rolled back up and got stuck in between the brim of her helmet in the face mask.

The two to that one again out to centerfield.

Sophia King able to track it down, and that is the first time today that Caitlin Erickson has been able to retire the leadoff batter.

I think that's good, you know, being in the bottom of the fifth, she's given that up four times, but for the fifth time, it wasn't the charm.

I know.

It's three times a charm, but not fits time.

That was a great job by Sophia King.

She turned her hips really great, drops up there to go catch the ball as it cut the opposite way.

She did a good job recovering.

She is really solid in centerfield for this team.

Coach Achy also said she's robbed a couple home runs this year.

Into the plate steps.

Emily Perry.

As she takes ball one Harry.

2 For two today, the leadoff home run to start the scoring for Bentonville in the bottom of the first and then crushed a double off of the fence in straightaway.

Center field only missing her second home run by a few inches.

Erickson, trying to say hi and out of the zone to Perry yeah and this is another senior that coach early has talked highly about.

She's very instrumental for this team.

She's also helped her team to now set the single or tie the single season home run record for Bentonville.

The 20.

Taken inside for his strike, Perry didn't like the call.

I was a good pitch by Ericsson.

It was tight.

She didn't like it, but it was a great pitch by Ericsson to now be two in One Direction, determined not see if Perry anything to hit is the two one.

Way up and out of the zone and talking about period.

She is had two great at bats and sometimes will see pictures lose it a little bit when they're facing a hitter who's been so dominant in a game.

But Erickson right now she's going at her.

She's behind in the count, but she's still going at her.

Very, very comfortable in high pressure situations.

Had a three run double in the 2019 state championship as she feels that one back that was the double that gave Bentonville the lead over Cabot.

At that point they had been trailing one.

Nothing.

Of course the Lady Panthers eventually coming back winning that state championship game five to three but Emily Perry and we talked about the senior leadership.

She is one of the players that has been through everything with this team.

The three two.

Popped up, he gives Chase and makes a nice catch against the screen.

That's a great play by Sage Tea.

That's a tough play to turn pop up out of your catcher stance and to go grab that just barely stayed away from the nut as she grabbed grabbed ahold of it to make the grab again.

Here it is.

She even threw off the facemask.

A couple of my catchers here so far this weekend.

Chloe Creekmore making a really nice one in the two A state championship game yesterday.

As Kenzie Derryberry steps in.

Oh for two with a strikeout and a pop up, but they're going to say that pitch.

Hit her.

And she takes first.

So Ericsson puts Derryberry on with a hit by pitch.

Again, with two outs, Sarah Watson will come to the plate.

This charter Hickey goes out to talk to Caitlin Erickson.

And even with two outs Bentonville getting into the very powerful part of their lineup wants and von Inwood coming up and really just looks kind of right now.

Like try to having a conversation with their starter.

Just kind of talking things over.

Yeah, I don't think she is going to take her out right now.

It's still a 30 ball game.

She has really thrown a great game.

I don't think she plans on taking her out.

I think she's just trying to you know how are you feeling right now?

What's going on?

Talk to me.

OK, now you just gave her a little bit of a fist pump.

Now let's let's work through it.

Let's get back in the dugout so we can get on offense.

Conway, really riding or dying by Caitlin Erickson, 157 innings pitch coming into today, 668 batters faced their other pitcher, Allie Hall, only Instron 27 innings, so this is really Caitlin Erickson's game.

Starts off Watson with a curve on the outside.

Sarah Watson we've mentioned a couple times.

Only a sophomore already calling her own pitches, but no getting known for her band as well.

She hit 680 the week of March 30th.

After April 6, she takes Ball too high.

She was 17 for 25 with 13 RBI's in three home runs over A6 game Stretch, talk about his six game stretch.

My gosh, doing some damage at the plate.

It's a good season for a lot of players, let alone a week as she rips that one to dead center field.

King back to the track and makes the grab for out #3.

Watson gave it a ride that King there to make the play.

As we head to the top half of the six Bentonville leading three to nothing, you are watching the Centennial State Softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

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65 pitches, 48 of which.

Have been strikes with.

King hits the first pitch.

She sees just slices foul down that left field line.

That is a great job by Sophia King.

First pitch out of the chute, really attacking that, but I'm going to talk about this door in there in the top of the sixth inning.

They're down to their last six outs.

This is exactly who you want to be up at the plate.

This is someone coach Hickey wants to be up at the plate, she says.

As Sophia goes, we go.

King is an excellent job in this leadoff role.

Nothing 410 on the season is the off speed.

Found out of play.

And the thing about King is is she's a slapper.

She's a very aggressive slapper and not something that you love to see.

She's not afraid to hit early in the count and to really try to do damage.

But that's also her job.

Keeping the defense on their toes, really trying to create some chaos.

She'll be forced to hit in Machesney Vons counter.

She delivers the O2.

Good job to stay alive and as we can see here.

Mackenzie Vaughan.

She's really trying to working off that outside part of the plate and she's doing a great job staying on it.

King singled back in the 1st and then grounded into a fielder's choice in the third on a fantastic ranging play by Kenzie Derryberry at short.

Back up the middle.

Easy play for Von over to 1st in time 1/3 for the first out.

AKA Bunting now to the point for Conway over 2.

Swings and misses at the first pitch.

It's a great first pitch by Vaughn being a new account.

First pitch of the at bat.

She's down to her last six outs.

I think we're going to even see her more vamped up going at these batters.

And the one thing with Mackenzie Vaughan today, she hasn't really overpowered these Conway hitters with speed.

It's all about spin in placement.

That one line right at Pacey would at 3rd.

And that has been some of the tough breaks for Conway today.

They've hit the ball well, but they've just been right at the Bentonville fielders, right?

Dorian, they really have hit the ball.

Well, they've had some great at bats.

It is just been right at them A and going back to lane or rushing making the incredible grab, you know, on another day that might be a double, maybe even triple.

Macmillan skies one.

Perry underneath it for out #3 Conway three up three down as we head to the bottom of the sixth Bentonville.

Still leading three to nothing.

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Bentonville tigers getting ever closer to their 4th state championship in the last five years.

Near the bottom of the sixth.

And they will have a chance to add some extra insurance runs as Vaughn would and Peterson come to the plate.

Vaughn singled and scored on that wrist of Peterson home.

Run back in the bottom of the fourth inning.

That really gave the tigers this cushion.

If she takes a look at strike number one, and as I just mentioned this would be bentonville's fourth state championship.

If this score holds in the last five years, but they have played in multiple state championships dating all the way back to 2010.

Then only winning three since 2010.

They've been there almost every year, so I'm glad that I'm sure they will be glad to add a fourth.

Sidney, do you want to talk a little bit about that 2014 state championship game?

I don't, you know, I don't know if Coach early once we do.

I love this score holds.

I'm sure he won't mind.

All will be forgiven as Sydney's North Little Rock team beat.

This Bentonville team back in 2014.

Yeah, we sure did in my time playing at North Little Rock coach early.

He actually dates back to coaching against my dad when my dad coached at North Little Rock, but we would always go head to head that was that was a tight state championship game back in 2014.

Casey, would the sophomore stepping in now one for two.

As she flares that one over the head at first.

They throw by a K bunting gets away in wood.

Heads up, baserunning, takes 2nd.

That is, some heads up baserunning by Woods.

Seeing that the ball is overthrown, getting too advanced to second.

Now they have another runner in scoring position.

It was a tough play there for a K bunting at 2nd, that ball just flared over the head of Sidney, Wiser at first heads of spin on it, trying to make a play on the speedy would.

As a result, wood on 2nd on the single in the air by bunting.

Is the first air of the afternoon for Conway?

And that's something in this type of situation.

Playing on a really high stage, you gotta minimize your amount of errors.

Keeping it to just one error on the day.

Playing on a turf field.

They're not really used to that.

It's not bad when that brings up Tristan Peterson.

Erickson, smartly staying away from Peterson, is it was Peterson who hit the monster two run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning, clearing that foul pole over in left field.

Right, and on that pitch she threw her up and in and she was able to get to it and stay through it.

So in this at bat I'm sure she will continue to stay away from Peterson.

The 10 up in the zone, but found back out of play, Teague runs out of room.

To your point about the rise, well that's the beautiful thing about the rise.

While they can be really effective, but they're also easier to elevate right exactly?

And when you're a hitter and you face a picture, he's throwing consistent rise balls, and you're able to see her throughout numerous at bats.

You kind of know what to expect as the game progresses.

The one one.

Trying out of the zone.

Speaking of rise ball pitchers, Mary half getting the start today for number 6 Arkansas as they start the Fayetteville Regional today against the Manhattan Jaspers.

They're leading one nothing after two.

Of course that regional.

The reason why.

We are having this state championship weekend at the Benton Sports Athletic Complex here in Benton, right?

And, you know, they're not able to play at Bogle, but this Binfield Benton field their facilities here.

They're really good for a high school.

It's OK.

There are a lot of bees in that sense.

Benton, Bentonville talking could be a lot harder than it look, folks, I promise you, and the fans have certainly come out to support the state softball championships this weekend is that is Ball 4 high?

So Bentonville with two on and one out here in the bottom of the Sixth Kennerley.

Coming out to talk to home plate umpire Marvin Eat and it looks like we're going to get a pinch runner for Tristan Peterson.

In this situation, I'm sure Coach early is wanting a couple more runs on the board as Conway like we've talked about.

They have had some really great quality at bats.

They hit the ball hard, it's just been right at the defenders.

And another thing that Coach early talked about when we spoke is that their motto this whole year has been to be just one run.

Better attack every pitch.

Right now they're three runs better than Conway will see what ends up happening in the bottom of the sixth.

That is, number 21, Holly Robinson in to run for Tristan Peterson at first.

Early getting some state championship experience for some of the players that will be back next year.

Line ball by bunting.

It is a double play as bunting able to catch Robinson off of 1st then is going to end the inning.

There's a little bit of confusion just to make sure Erickson, with the ball runs over to 3rd to make sure that everyone is in fact out.

No signal yet from the home from the field umpires as they.

Put their hands out and it looks like they are in fact going to say that that was a double play there, waving both teams off the field and that will end the inning with Bentonville, leading three to nothing.

Conway will try and keep their season alive when we come back.

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You're watching the Centennial State Softball championships on Arkansas.

PBS Sports is the Bentonville Tigers leading Conway three to nothing here in the top of the 7th and you may have noticed that the console or the Bentonville players rather showing up in jerseys that say 8 early.

That is a tribute to head coach Kent Early's dad, the longtime softball coach at UA Monticello, who passed away a few years ago.

Alvy early and they showed up in those times without coach knowing as a tribute to his dad.

What a special moment for the OR the early family here.

Today that is a special moment.

You know they're playing in the state championship game, but sometimes things are way bigger than just softball.

We see it a lot.

I'm sure that is so meaningful to see his team getting to wear those jerseys to represent his dad.

Diving stop up the middle by Derryberry.

Can't finish the play.

It first and sage.

Teague is on to start the top half of the 7th ending with Conway needing to score three runs.

To stay alive talking about Sage Teeth?

That's a big about right there.

Getting the leadoff hitter on to give her team a chance or down to their last three outs.

She stays inside of this pitch, driving it back up the middle.

But I mean, what?

Hustle?

By derryberry.

That's a great play this team defensively.

They're so athletic.

Fantastic range by Derryberry to even get to that ball but not able to get the throw over to Tristan Peterson in time.

And we will see a runner come in for Conway.

That is, number 7 Ariel Brooks, the junior running for Sage team.

In city now it becomes a question.

Do you try to bunch her into scoring position?

Should be you least get one on or because you're down three, you go ahead and take your chances as you have Conrad who hit the rocket out to left field the last time.

Swing at the first pitch.

And now Conway has been doubled.

Afiz Emily Perry over to Peterson in time.

We have seen it all in this game.

We've seen pitching.

We have seen offense.

We've seen some fantastic defense from Bentonville.

That is fantastic defense and to go back to your question, Dory and you know, right now I'm sure Kuchiki is maybe wishing that she would have had her bunk.

But it's a game of inches again, and this is the second at bat that Conrad has had that has been outstanding, and she's gotten hit taken away from her.

Grilling Conley on the ground is second and that is going to do it for Bentonville as the Tigers.

When their 4th state championship in five years, they take it three to nothing over the Conway Wampus Cats.

Outstanding performance by Bentonville.

Pitching in the circle von offensively there's been two hitters in this lineup that have both had home runs defensively.

I think their defense is really what has helped him.

They had a lot of balls put in play that were hit hard, but just I mean wow, they even went for the dogpile.

We haven't seen that the past two games.

Well, as you know.

Last year's season and state championship taken away due to the kovid year and so many of these teams.

So many of these players have mentioned that being a driving force about what is motivated than this season and all that expectation, all that loss, all that desire pouring itself out in this moment is Bentonville celebrates on the pictures.

Mount a 2021 six A state title for Bentonville and we will be back with the trophy presentation right here on Arkansas PBS Sports.

Stay with us.

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The Conway Lady Wampus Cats getting their trophy as they finish in second place in the six A state championship game falling to Bentonville, three to nothing, and certainly I know they're disappointed, but nothing to hang their heads about today in their first ever state championship game in this program being their first ever state championship that there is nothing to be disappointed about.

This is a team full of young girls.

Coach Ekia talked about they're like kids in a candy store.

They're just trying to soak up every bit of it every moment, so nothing to hang their heads about.

And of course, on the other side, the Bentonville Tigers, the perennial powerhouse returning to the top of these six, a Arkansas State softball landscape.

As we mentioned their 4th state championship in the last five years, and they did it with outstanding pitching, outstanding hitting and at the end, outstanding defense.

They sure did every.

Aspect of their game.

Every aspect of this team they all contribute so much they know what their role is.

They go out there and they get the job done.

You know, Coach Earley has the biggest smile on his face right now.

I'm sure he is pleased as punch.

Next state championship never gets old, does it?

Doesn't matter how many you've wanted, it always feels new and it always feels different.

It never gets old.

You know the 1st to the 3rd to the 5th to the I don't know the six.

It all feels the same.

It's just as exciting.

Hey, never mind.

And there it is.

The senior second baseman at UCA commit Emily Perry.

Named the MVP for these six.

A state softball championship.

Perry 2 for three on the afternoon, the leadoff home run that got Bentonville on the board first.

She had a double that was just a couple of inches away from going for her second home run of the day and she really paste this Tigers offense.

She most definitely deserves MVP.

She had an outstanding state championship game at the plate.

She was just.

Ultra successful and I'm sure Coach Q and right now when he hears about this, he's gonna be happy to hear one of his future players had a great appearance.

Coach Q and everyone else in Bentonville.

Certainly love to see the performance today.

By Emily Perry.

We're going to have a 6A state championship recap when we come back.

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The Bentonville Tigers captured their 4th state championship in the last five years, a 30 win over the Conway Wampus Cats.

Welcome back into the Benton Sports Athletic Complex alongside Sydney Parr IAM Dorian craft.

Happy to have you with us in Sydney.

Emily Perry named the MVP of the six A state championship.

She was two for three with a home run and a double but really it could have gone to one of three different Tigers players.

It could from Perry.

It could have been Peterson and it definitely could have been Mackenzie Vaughan who pitched a fantastic game.

In what is her final high school game of her career right and what a way to end your final high school game of your career.

She was stellar on the mount, her curve, her eyes, her screw, everything that she threw.

She threw it with such intent and I'm also going to point out Sarah Watson.

She called a great game behind the plate.

That is a lot for a catcher in this moment.

Calling the pitches, calling the game.

Just that duo incredible as you mentioned during the broadcast.

Watson, just a sophomore, the only player that head coach can early has ever let call her own pitches.

Mackenzie Vaughan, of course, as we mentioned, complete game for the senior Missouri State commit 5 strikeouts and also Peterson with the Big Two run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

That was the play that really felt like it changed the momentum of the game.

Most definitely changed the momentum the hitters the entire game up until that point they had had great at bats, but I think that just opened the floodgates right so she gets up and we talked about Erickson throwing that rise ball consistently and she did a great job keeping her hands above it and blasting it over the left field wall.

And not only did she blasted, I mean.

It didn't barely clear it.

Cleared it by a long shot, but we talked about the experience of Bentonville.

Of course, Conway, on the other side, they are coming into this game.

They were the three seed.

No real expectations for them in this game, but only two seniors in that starting lineup next year.

They will have starting pitcher Kaitlyn Erickson back again, so we expect to see much more from Conway in the coming years, right?

And they just have so many young players, but such young talent they have a great three years out ahead of them and I'm sure we will be seeing them again.

A great base for experience to build on.

This is one that they will carry with him along with head coach.

Try to Hickey and once again for Sidney Part.

I am Dorian craft.

We are so happy to have you with us as we have crowned three of our state softball championships.

We have three more to go and we will have a fantastic for a game coming up later tonight between Moralton amperage.

We hope that we will see you then.