Welcome back to Ferris Field, the three day state softball championship.

I'm about to get underway the Boonville Lady Bearcats with a record of 18 and 13 coach Chad Simpson look at their first look at their offense.

Take a look at their batting order coming up for Boonville.

Layla Byrum is going to lead things off for the Lady Bearcats, followed by Lexi Franklin Lee, Swint, Ellie Smith, the top four in the lineup, Ronnie Tillery, Kiley Lunsford of Carman, Kent Camber, Parrish and Pressley Walker are going to round out the starting lineup for the Lady Bearcats.

They're going to take on Libby May, the pitcher for Atkins.

She comes into this contest with a 21 and six overall record, a 2.463 167 innings pitched, 124 strikeouts.

She actually has a couple division two offers as well from a washed out Baptist and Henderson State right hander Libby May has a velocity going to sit around 59 to 60 miles an hour.

May really likes to utilize the fastball the curveball, a change up in a rise.

But May's best pitch is her changeup.

And what makes it so difficult for batters to hit against her is the fact that the change of is coming in eight miles an hour slower than her velocity.

So you're talking about a difference in speed of 60 to about 42 miles per hour.

So as a batter, you really have to be able to identify that changeup out of the hand early.

Let's take a quick look at the lady Red Devils defensive line up.

It's going to go Duvall Gooden and Prater across the outfield.

Ketchum, Coffman and Henderson limply across the infield.

From left to right, we've seen Libby, Mae and her battery make Kristen Flory behind the plate.

So that's the lineup for the Atkins lady Red Devils and set for this three day state championship game against the Boonville Lady Bearcats 1007 on a beautiful Saturday morning.

It's going to get nothing but better here on out.

Of course, this is the first of four championship games right here on Arkansas PBS.

Five a softball game going to follow here and the little baseball actions.

You've got some time.

Make your way out to Conway.

It's a baseball softball.

Soccer championships are already underway today as well.

A great day to get out and watch the final day of high school sports in the state of Arkansas, at least for the 2022 23 athletic year.

It's amazing how fast it goes, isn't it?

No doubt.

Libby matos The rubber.

So first pitch, this is outside and we are underway now one old pitch and this is high and quickly it's like that.

Lila Byram up to an old Byram, a 447 hitter for the Lady Bear Cats, six doubles, three triples, a lot of triples for this Boonville team.

So they've got some speed throughout the lineup.

That one catches the inside corner and Libby May has her first strike of the contest.

Bobby to your point, you mentioned the speed of Boonville, 93 stolen bases on the season for the lady Bearcats.

So when they get on base, they love to run, create some chaos on the Basepaths 20 triples as well.

That's might be the highest number we've seen of the final so far.

This point, triples are so difficult to hit because you have to have the speed and then you have to located in the right position just to be able to get around the bases in time.

So chopper back to the pitcher.

Mayfield fires the first and she retires the first batter of this contest, Boonville.

You mentioned the 18 and 13 overall records, probably not as high of a winning total as you'd expect to see in the championship game, but this team has caught fire at the right time.

Nine of their last 13 victories.

There's something to be said for momentum versus overall record.

And you take the flip side of that.

That means Boonville has also been tested as well.

They've gone through the losses, dealt with that adversity and found a way to put it together at just the right time.

Here's Allie Smith stepping into the box for the Lady Bearcats 326 hitter 11 RBI's on the season.

She was under that one so she's quickly in a row to hold.

And that's where Libby may really wants to work as a head in the count working OTA that gives her so many more options that one alone outside what I like so far and maybe that slows down.

What's the nerves and the the jitters go away.

But Libby may work in really, really quickly.

It seems the methodical pitcher catcher duo is not this one that I would fall back into the Arkansas PBS signage as a pitcher.

When you find that groove, you really want to start to work quickly because you want to be able to disrupt the batter's timing and so that's also as you get later into the game, when you start seeing the step outs and the cat and mouse game between the pitcher and the catcher who can throw someone off the air, there's rhythm.

There's that changeup you mentioned that one didn't quite make it to the play, but check the swing and they're going to say she was able to hold up.

So that evens up The count of two and two is the right call.

It didn't look like she went around with the umpires are looking for in that situation is whether or not the risk break the barrel comes around just able to hold but you can already see the difference in speed when the change up is thrown.

a22 swing on the Miss Ellie Smith goes down swinging and the first two are retired.

In order for the lady, Bearcats may going back to the rise ball moving up and out of the zone, going to one of the harder pitches that she has in terms of velocity coming off of the changeup and you see how it rises up out of the zone.

Smith Already moving down the first baseline, there's no way for her to catch up to that ball.

Lee Swint the three hole Hitler for a Booneville 400 average on the season first pitch swing and central on the right side of the right to the second baseman Adrian Henderson makes the quick throw and a quick 123 inning for the Atkins defense three up three down Louisville retired in order Atkins coming up you're watching the Centennial big state softball championship on Arkansas.

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Boonville retired in order top of the first while the lady red devil is going to get there first hack and it's also going to be our first look at their lineup it's going to be Coffman Henderson good to lead things off Lori would bat fourth if anyone breaches them.

Prater Coffin, Lemley, Duvall and Ketchum is your designated player for the Atkins lady Red Devils.

Lexi Franklin in the circle for the Boonville Lady Bearcats.

She's been a workhorse this year, 156 innings pitched 15 and 12 overall.

What's really interesting though, 92 runs allowed, but only 41 of those have been earned.

So a 1.83 era for the right hander.

First pitch down in a ways, we get underway here the bottom of the first Bobby you mention those numbers with the 92 runs, 41 earned is going to be really important for the Boonville defense to play behind Franklin today because Atkins doesn't strike out very often.

They put the ball in play a lot and so the defense going to have to be ready.

As Franklin primarily pitched a contact, played a much cleaner defense of brand of softball down the stretch.

And that's what helped them make a run in the three, a state tournament that was played in northwest Arkansas this past week that was splits the heart of the plate.

FRANKLIN 226 strikeouts, as you mentioned in the opener, a high volume strikeout pitcher, maybe some command issues at times, though, 81 walks in those 156 innings.

The 211 shot foul, really drove in on the hands.

Really nice late break there from Franklin so only a junior she's so she's going to have another year to develop but already you see the movement and why there's interest in her playing at the next level that ball really getting in on the hands of May as it's coming across the plate.

That's really tough to foul off.

Libby May stands in for Atkins swinging him and so pitcher on pitcher violence there one strikes out the other the first batter of the inning is retired.

Take a look at that Boonville defensive alignment start in the outfield Ferris stringers out in left freshman Pressley Walker and center and Carmen Kent is out and Ryan's is going to go Swint by Parrish and Smith across the infield Franklin's your pitcher and sophomore Ronnie Tillery is behind the plate to make up for battery first pitch swing and that one dribbled out George run sure of the throw as high as it goes to the backstop and the runner going to be able to advance to second so that's McKinley Kauffman not wasting any time The infield single is going to advance to second on the throwing error first pitch swinging from McKinley Kauffman I like the aggressive approach there by Atkins.

There's a good pitch to hit called the entire middle third of the plate goes right after you see the contact point a little off the hands.

That's what causes that drop in the infield.

And then good recognition is that throw saves a little bit high to take the extra base and to put herself into scoring position.

It looked like Coffman was going to beat the throw either way, with the errant throw allows her to move up 60 feet again.

First pitch.

Regan from Adrian Henderson, second baseman for Atkins, fouled on the left field line.

Anderson 333 average on the season second best on the team with her 24 RB eyes the three home runs to go with it.

She had the game winning sacrifice fly to help Atkins beat Lamarr in the semifinals and just low so much of what goes into a number three hitter.

Bobby to your point is being able to produce in the big moment.

So having that sacrifice fly in the semifinal win over Lamar.

This is a player that can get it done and can handle the pressure and change the pattern well up front.

So Franklin gets ahead in the count one and two.

We're going to see some good changeups today.

So hard to do at one time up the fastball and all of a sudden they pull the string, if you will, and that one likely would have caught the outside corner.

This guy's right at the plate.

Really nice pitch there.

The other thing that makes that changeup so difficult as you see on the follow through and we'll see it again as this game continues to go on, it has a little flip action to it as she's releasing it.

So it causes that drop.

So not only is there a change in velocity, but it has a tail off movement as it gets to the plate, the two to lift in right side first baseman arranges over Ellie Smith.

The sophomore makes the catch two down here and here in the bottom half of the first Franklin working the upper inner part of the quadrant.

It's a good decision going up against a hitter who's aggressive, that's crowding the plate, bringing that ball in off the handle.

The only thing the Henderson's going to be able to do with it is pop it up on the infield.

Here's Lexi Gooden, 398 Team best average 26 RBI also leads the team 13 doubles on the season for the center fielder and she takes ball one.

It's exactly who you want at the plate if you're an Atkins fan here in the first chance to give yourself a lead as a runner out of second blocks is that one go over the outer half that counts.

Now, even her down is off that one up around her eyes.

Atkins looking for their school's second ever state championship.

The first one came back in 2011, the third finals appearance that were in the championship game last year before falling to Atkins Excuse me.

ASHDOWN That one fouled left side can't lose to yourself, so it'd be really hard to do.

In fairness, they were both A's.

It's early.

Yes, it is too early.

And Boonville is in the championship game for the second time in school history.

They won the 2004 softball title two two now and catches the outside corner.

Strike three called Really nice pitch and Gooden is retired on strikes so we're three one we're scoreless as you're watching the three a state state softball championship on Arkansas PBS Sports.

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Top of the second.

Adkins and Boonville are scoreless.

Only the bearkats coming up for their second attempt.

They went down in order in the first.

Lexi Franklin, the pitcher, is going to step in and bowl 41 average on this season.

Ten doubles, six triples five homers 39 RBI.

As you might imagine, all near or at the top of the lead for the lady Bearkats change up.

Just guys right at the front of the point is that kind of look at the goal as well.

It makes it look like it's right there about knee high and all of a sudden it drops to the ankles.

Yes, that's part of it.

It changes all about location as well.

And that's the secondary portion of the changeup.

So you use the change up on the front end.

So that it falls off the table.

You're changing the adjustment to the speed.

It's the eye level.

And then you come back with some of your harder stuff, in this case, a rise ball, not only to change the velocity, but going back to changing the eye level and changing north is south.

In my opinion.

That's the hardest adjustment.

Franklin sits back and waits on that change up and fouls it back.

Nice job to adjust.

I've even been sitting change up there, even though she's down on the count.

One, two.

The best way to go about learning how to hit a changeup is learning how to hit change first.

So think slow and then adjust back up to the speed because as a hitter you're going to be able to catch up to most velocity.

That's when lifted high and deep.

Two left field, that one's back to the wall off the fence.

That's going to be at least two for Franklin and they're going to hold her at second base, a drive to left field that runs out most parts.

But they'll see stints out in left here at Ferris Field a little taller.

So that one off the chain link for a leadoff double really nice swing from Franklin.

It's a ball elevated in the zone and she keeps her hands high.

Adjusting back up to the velocity of May just drives it out to the left field.

And you're right Bobby anywhere else that's going to be a leadoff home run, but not here at Ferris Field.

Lexi Franklin It's it's a double their it's 11th on the season so that's going to set up the catcher.

Ronnie Tillery 321 Average 25 RBI is a good spot here for the five hole hitter takes a strike on the inside corner Really nice pitch to come inside.

That's the one thing maybe I'm most surprised with is the lack of pitchers wanting to go inside this week in championship games.

It has been a little bit surprising, but the majority of pitchers have walked towards the outside corner.

But that's also the area of the plate that's gotten a lot of calls.

That throwback to the pitcher goes all the way out in the center field.

So Franklin moves up 60 feet, maybe some of those jitters.

Now the runner on base and Boonville has a runner on third now with nobody out of prime scoring opportunity for Boonville, the throwback to the pitcher almost looked like he was trying to go back to second base and try and catch Franklin off guard.

So a little bit of a miscommunication there.

Look at where she comes out of her stance.

So as she's coming up, that ball's fired back quickly.

And there just wasn't the communication about where that ball was going that went down.

And then now fire fired a third to check on Franklin.

She's back before the tag early both throws when she was on second base back to the pitcher.

It really seemed like that she might have been fired up, back to the back.

That went well off the mark.

And of course, it tips off the pitcher's glove and we're out of the reach of Adrian Henderson trying to back it up.

So tillery up in the count two and one runner on third.

This one sent out to Short.

That's going to get the run home.

So Tyler against the RBI Groundout and the Lady Bearcats strike first really good at bat by Tillery putting the ball in play with a runner on third.

That is your responsibility as a batter when there are less than 2 hours and you have a runner in scoring position.

And a good decision by Franklin because a lot of players will wait on that ball to see what happens.

Franklin was immediately on contact on her way to the plate as soon as she saw it as a ground ball.

It's nice aggressive baserunning that gives Boonville the lead.

And that's what you like to see a productive out from a lineup.

So the Boonville lady Bearcats take an early one nothing lead and Cameron Parish steps in to 38 average on the season three extra base hits that one line so left field right over the third baseman's head and Cameron Parish has the second hit of the inning Boonville is buried up a couple of these balls here in the top of the second inning parish a ball again on the middle inner third of the plate and at the high school level.

That's the danger part of the plate.

That's one of the reasons why we haven't seen pitchers go in on the inside quite that much.

As you see Parrish able to clear that front side, bring the barrel through really Well-struck ball so let's put on the coaching hadn't really dive into the strategy do you have to have maybe top in velocity at the high school level to really get in underneath the hands to be successful on a consistent basis?

You do.

Typically in the high school level you're looking for velocity.

Mid 60 seems like 6364.

If you're going to be able to get two strikes on the inside corner that are either called strikes or swings and misses because fastballs are the easiest pitches to hit at any level.

And so players are able to time that up.

Well, which is why you've seen the evolution of the game.

Pitchers really starting to pound that outside part of the plate because at the high school level, batters typically don't have the patience yet to let the ball travel deep like you do in the college level.

And Kiley Lunsford steps in.

Now, the designated player where he's number 0 to 83 to average six extra base hits 16.

RBI is on the year for the lady.

Their jets.

That one sent right back to the shortstop on a short way out for one at second to throw it over the first not nearly in time.

So once it reaches on the fielder's choice, let's take a look at today's umpiring crew.

Jarron Harris behind the plate, Stacy Barnes at first and Courtney Davidson is over at third.

Carmen Kent's going to step up to the plate now for Boonville 250 Average five doubles pair triples 15 RBI.

That goes all the way to the backstop and would allow Lunsford to get up to second base.

So the wild pitch allows Lunsford to advance extra 60 feet.

Now she's in scoring position.

Kind of seems like Atkins is a little tight.

I would agree.

Mae, trying to overthrow be a little bit too perfect here and it ends up going up over the head for the wild pitch.

And sometimes especially we talked about Atkins having been here last year being considered maybe the favorite in this game.

You give up the early run now and lift it over, The left fielder said.

That's going to drive it another run.

Carmen Kent with the RBI.

She's in the second base with a double and the lady Bearkats offense is clicking here in the second Boonville, able to take advantage of a couple of Atkins miscues in this inning because the wild pitch allowed Lunsford to move to second base, able to score easily on the double by Kent.

And so those are the things that tend to snowball, but a really nice swing.

Again, Boonville all over this double middle third of the plate.

You cannot leave as a pitcher.

You cannot leave a ball that's going to be dead center of the plate about thigh high, because it doesn't matter who you're playing, they're going to be able to hit that pitch a really short compact swing there.

Not much of a follow through really, this guy to that one and got some good carry on and got the RBI.

And now Pressly Walker the nine no hitter.

Where is the first pitch on the side?

Bobby To your point about the nice short compact swing coaches used to say choke and poke, I don't think they say that very much anymore because I've said that in a couple of broadcasts and got some really weird looks.

But what that means is you just shorten up and put the ball in play and this is a screwball.

It just gets out of the way or just gets out of the hand a little bit too much, catches the back leg, so to nothing.

The lady Bearcats leads runners on first and second, so still plenty of damage on the Basepaths.

So Atkins needs to find a way to stop the bleeding here in the top half of the second frame, back to the top of the order, Layla Byrum She grounded back to the pitcher to start the contest.

And this is outside power.

Four 4727 already eyes for an extra base hits There's production up and down this Lady Bird Cup lineup Atkins though they're not going to be fazed 24 and seven overall record.

We mentioned that they were in the championship game last year, so they loaded up the schedule.

As far as non-conference opponents went up and out of the zone.

And you don't win 24 games in a season without learning how to fall behind early and how to battle back into win in adversity.

Situation.

So three you know, to Byrum, you got to believe she's going to take this one all the way with runners in first and second.

And that one catches the top of the zone.

Important pitch for me there just to establish herself inside the strike zone.

To see a strike go into the box in softball is such a mental game.

Sometimes all you need to see is one pitch.

He caught a strike, that one slapped over the left side.

A nice running play by McKinley Coffman, the shortstop, and gets Atkins out of the inning.

But not before Boonville takes advantage and pushes to across and the lady Bearcats have a two nothing lead as we head to the home half of the second you're watching the Centennial Bank State softball championship on Arkansas PBS Sports.

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The Lady Bearcats from Boonville Strike first.

Now Atkins has to try to answer back and it's going to be a flurry.

Prater and Coffin coming up for the lady Red Devils.

The first important thing for Atkins in the bottom of the second inning is just to be patient inside the box, work a little bit, see some good pitches as good.

Look at coach Matt Porter.

Got his team in the championship game for the second straight year.

We've got to find a way to get out of this two ole hole early and a lot of softball yet to be played, rallied just below the knees.

Doesn't get the call.

So Kristen Flory, the catcher for Atkins, gets ahead in the count 386 average four doubles, five homers, 19 RBI.

She's an all state player from last year.

This one sent the other way right to the well placed Carman Kent senior right fielder for Boonville makes the play in one down good swing by Flory just happened to find Kent waiting out in right field but those are the type of a batch that Atkins needs.

That's a good barrel on the ball.

It's bullets elevated in the zone.

Flory keeps the hands high, misses it just by a little bit.

Under it, just a little.

That's what is the difference between a fly out deep in the outfield versus a home run.

Kenley Praytor steps up to the plate now for Atkins.

She's first pitch swinging right to the second baseman.

Though Cameron Parish, the freshman, makes the play quickly.

Two up, two down the bullpen, hard hit balls by this Atkins offense.

And if you're Atkins, you like the approach here at the plate.

This is a really well-struck ball hard off the bat barreled up time perfectly and again just right at Parrish over at second base.

So if you're the Red Devils, you're seeing these last two batters and you're going, okay, if we can make this kind of contact, it's just a matter of time until those balls start to sneak through.

Here's Marvin Carson, designated player to 89 on base percentage this year for Marvin O'Brien and 13 RBI.

His the part of baseball and softball that we don't talk about very often.

Sometimes you have to be good.

Yes, but sometimes you have to be lucky.

That's a big part of it.

That's why they had the saying It's better to be lucky than to be good.

That's right.

To hard hit balls.

But it's right at them.

Goffin quickly hit the count to two oh down below the knee.

So she's ahead three oh.

Atkins picked up their first hit in the first inning.

Could not move them around trying to extend the inning here in the second.

That was well out of his own.

So a four puts walk for coffin and only red Devils have a runner good at bat by Horton with two outs in the bottom of the second inning.

And that is the first deep count that Atkins has been in.

They've been very aggressive going up against Franklin.

Trying to throw that curveball just misses low in the zone.

But if you're Atkins, the other philosophy here is not just how well you hit, but how much do you work Lexi Franklin, how many pitches you make her throw as you try to work yourself back in?

Melissa Lemley Swinging at the first pitch and fouls it away.

She has a 287 average on the season 11 RBI I's try to respond as Boonville got two in the top half of the inning.

You see the bandage there on Franklin's right.

I will talk about how she got that in just a second.

Is that one over the outside corner So in pre game today the beautiful pitcher during as you said got a bat and a walk directly into the path of a back swing that ended up catching her right above the eye.

So a little bit of a warrior out there shaking it off this one right side going back is the second baseman and Parrish makes the play and Boonville gets out of the inning with the two out walk stranded at first she's tough pitcher for Boonville so through two innings of play the lady Americans lead to nothing as you're watching the Centennial Bank state softball championship on Arkansas, TBS Sports for every moment, for every memory from that first car of your first home to your first child and all the highs and lows that tomorrow might bring for everything that matters most to you and your family.

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For those in the community looking for a meal options action, the game raising Cane's is known for their hand, baton, chicken fingers and special sauce, raising Cane's chicken fingers one la top of the third in a38 state softball championship Boonville lady Bearcats only up to a two nothing lead as they push across to end that second inning.

Now looking to add to it, Ellie Smith sends one the other way too short.

Nice play there by McKinley Coffman as she throws not in time.

And Ellie Smith leads off the third with an infield single another hard hit ball by Boonville, This one off the bat of Ellie Smith.

Kauffman does a good job to smother it, keep it on the injured.

Otherwise that was a gapper.

But again, moving through the box is the contact point hard to see there because Chad Simpson's blocking the angle in the coach's box that says Wright.

But the timing right now is Boonville is making all the difference.

They are all over.

Libby may brings up swings, his first good swing, and then underneath the hands gave it a miss as coach Chad Simpson says that his team playing well at the right time of the year.

Does it matter how you win them is when you win them?

Momentum are very real thing and they're waived on a missed almost a snap throw to get the runner.

Smith at first, but she's back underneath the tag just went I don't know two whole 400 hitter change up could not get the bat off the shoulder And she goes down looking so big strike out there for Libby may try to stunt this momentum that Boonville has going in for May to start making a difference in the second time through this beautiful order.

She's going to need to start working in the change up more because you see how it just completely locks up swings and that's a great angle.

You can see exactly where it crosses the knee.

Pat That ball is a strike even though it's low in the zone.

Let's see.

Franklin, the opposing pitcher, now steps into the block starts off the about to change it to that were misses outside wasn't an excellent replay there you can see it's above the front me right below the back knee is how quickly and suddenly it drops up and away.

Thinking ahead to what I want to count.

As Boonville continues to time up the velocity of May.

While she really needs to utilize that change at multiple times within in the back to keep the lady bear catch honest, That's the purpose of the changeup.

And when you can mix it well, that's when you keep opposing hitters off balance.

This is Long Serino is a second time through the lineup now Franklin the cleanup hitter for the lady Bearcats that's on first she led off the inning with the infield single Franklin taking that one all the way called strike the ball gets away from the catcher and allows Ellie Smith to move up 60 feet.

Right now, Atkins needs to just clean up the little things.

Have had a couple of defensive miscues that have allowed Boonville to take extra bases in those.

The Times with the Lady Bearcats have taken advantage because both of their runs have come after defensive miscues.

Probably wouldn't have mattered anyway.

There's this ball for anyway, so Dunn can't believe they called that a strike and they're going to say so.

Ellie Smith advanced to second base.

That might have just been an intentional walk there.

Go ahead and ball for so Franklin one of the best hitters on the team for going home.

So scratch what I said about defensive miscues.

Never mind.

Yeah, absolutely.

They do issue the intentional pass.

So Franklin goes down the first brings up running Tillery first bit swinging there and that was fouled maybe off his foot as he spiraled out the batter's box.

That never feels good, especially as we're here at 1041 on a Saturday morning, not care what time of day it is.

It could be 1041 in the morning, 1049 at night.

That always hurts.

There's the change up there just outside wide.

There's a really good look at the velocity difference, which it is 15 to 18 miles an hour slower.

So around 60 miles an hour it is 40 to 45.

You change the eye level on the velocity of the high fastball and can't catch up to it.

Beautiful sequencing there for me.

Going change up on the outside corner.

Yes, it was a ball, but then changing the eye level whistling that's coming in almost 20 miles an hour faster and you can see there, Franklin not able to catch up.

That's going to lift it up and out of play down the left field side.

So Tillery may locked in a good battle here, urgent first and second one out here in the third Boonville.

Why, why, Why?

Down and out he has up to counter to a and now thank you little steel the momentum really leaning to those were in purple and gold.

It feels like a big moment in this game top three still only one away with two on for the lady Bearcats that one in underneath the hands but able to barrel it up just enough to foul it out of play.

This is a really good at bat here from Tillery with runners on she's battling on pitches that are borderline not giving in able will stay back on that change up and valid just off might have been a little off the play but close enough that she felt that she needed to swing and just keep the bat alive.

That's the right mindset from Tillery though.

If it's a ball that you're not sure you're going to get rung up on, your best bet is to try and sell it off.

Even if you know you can't do anything with it, just try it valid way.

Live another pitch because you don't want to get caught out looking to do that with a high left and high deep two left field.

But hooking foul well struck from Tillery that just inside that one that would have been extra bases for sure and said we're going to have to reset and do it all over Well-struck is an understatement.

That's an absolute rocket off of the bat of Tillery all over it just got the barrel out in front of the hands.

That's why that's a foul ball down the left field line instead of a home run over the bullpen.

Would not surprise me to see a change up here speak it into existence and just could not slow down the bat enough for Tillery as she goes down swinging and a really good at bat from Tillery, but made pulling the string when she needed it the most.

And any pitcher who sees a batter wrap a ball like that down the left field line, that's ahead of it.

You're going to get a changeup on the next one.

And Mays is just so good that even though Tillery knew it was coming, she still couldn't hold up.

So that brings up Cameron Parish.

It's up to her with two on and two out, and that one hits her, hits the back leg, and Cameron Parish now takes that one.

And now the bases are going to be loaded for second hit by pitch today for Libby.

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Bases are jammed full of their cats.

You feel like this is a big, big moment, not only for Booneville to keep the momentum going, but for Adkins, if they want to stay in this contest as they're already trailing to nothing, as Kiley Lunsford steps up to the plate, I would agree.

Big moment here, third inning with Boonville, a chance to blow this game open.

Even though there are still two outs.

There is such a thing as two out rally.

That's why they talk about it.

But for Atkins defensively, you have to remember there's a force at any base right now.

So if you're on the infield, get your body in front the ball and find a base to potentially get an out.

Lunsford reached on a fielder's choice and scored back in the second.

She's ahead in the count one two.

So swinging this one lifted high right field tracking over is the right fielder Prater.

And she makes the catch and the inning is ended with the bases loaded huge for Atkins there as they keep this deficit at just two lady Red Devils offense can get it going as you're watching the Centennial Bank State softball championship on Arkansas PBS Sports and again why people would come for miles around, come to ninth Street just to see what it was like.

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Let's take a look at their Arkansas PBS Student All-Star Game of the game day player of the Day, Hannah Duvall from Mayflower, Shortstop, Senior, a 4.0 GPA.

She's going to pursue a career in banking.

May Flowers.

Hannah Duvall gets on a student All-Star Contest 4.0.

That was a pipe dream in my career.

I was not a 4.0 student in high school or college.

I was I was around that was close to I didn't I didn't quite get there.

But I think that's the first time I've ever seen a student who's one of the major in banking.

Good for her.

They've got the money.

Sometimes it's theirs, sometimes it's somebody else's.

But at least they've got control of it.

Listen, learn how to manage your finances early kids Atkins up in the bottom of the third, trailing two to nothing Serenity Duvall going to step up to the plate go back to the top of the order Duvall, a 267 hitter on the season.

She watches the first pitch catch the outside corner, only tight, consistent zone to start this contest.

That's all you ask for.

Home plate umpire drawn here has been I agree, very consistent in terms of corner to corner and up and down one she's down an end counts even that a couple of really long innings though Bobby where Boonville has been at the plate for a really extended period of time they've prevented Atkins from getting in a groove inside the box going up against Lexi Franklin and swung on and missed the outside.

Now, Franklin ahead in the count to your point, Franklin hasn't had throw many pitches and so there's 25 pitches up to this point for Franklin.

So she's working quickly that one just below the knees and runs the count for a lot of that has to do with the efficiency of Franklin in the circle but also the aggressiveness of Atkins.

Right.

First pitch swinging a lot, two sides of the same coin.

You can be aggressive.

You there is such a thing as being overly aggressive.

Atkins has had good swings, though, when sent out to short Byram.

So the first Plenty of Time retires the leadoff hitter Duvall for the first out of the inning right now.

Franklin just cruising through this Atkins line, a pitch down the center of the plate.

Duvall just gets on top of it, tops it over to shortstop.

BYRUM Right there.

Strong throw over to Smith at first for the first time through the lineup for Atkins, resulting in a lone single and a long walk to base runners up to this point for the Red Devils again, first pitch swing and sent out to center field, it gets over the head of Walker and that's going to be extra bases for Libby may double off the centerfield fence.

And the lady Red Devils have their first runner in scoring position.

Nice piece of hitting there from Libby.

May 2nd time through the batting order makes the adjustment.

Hunting on the first pitch gets one a little bit elevated in the zone.

You can see it's right there around belt high May just puts a nice swing on it doesn't try to do too much That's the crucial thing as you get later into these games not trying to Overhit may just squares it up nice solid double Kaufman swing of the first pitch again set out to right that one gets over the head of Kent that's got to bring home a run confidence got a pair of hits already and the lady Red Devils are in business as Kaufman ends up at third after the throw.

And just like that, Atkins is back in this contest, back to back base hits by the Akins Red Devils.

And the line drives are the hardest balls for outfielders to make a play on and another well barreled ball.

Those line drives continue to rise, which is why it's so important as an outfielder, you take that first step back so you're able to track it down.

That being said, that ball was struck.

So while no one was catching that ball, but a really good job by Kent to regroup and get that ball in quickly.

So the RBI triple for Kaufman has got Atkins on the board and with plenty of offense to go around in the first three innings of this contest, Boonville already with four hits, Atkins now with back to back extra base hits.

You've seen the spectrum of games in this state championship run, haven't we?

Henderson chops one foul left side a prime opportunity to tie the contest here running tying run just 60 feet away down at third Anderson up Alexi Gooden is next and listed out of play directly behind home plate.

Maybe the thing of notice is I'm looking back at my book is that Franklin is thrown first pitch strikes to each of the last five hitters.

And so Atkins is recognized this and they're going after good pitches early in the count because Franklin has been right around the strike zone consistently early in at bat.

So, yeah, Franklin's been locked in there in the circle, but sometimes that can play against you, right?

If you're consistently around the zone, if you're Kansas, if you're peppering it, shopping is sure that goes right underneath the glove of Byron and then gets past the left fielder.

Stringer.

That one's going to get all the way to the wall.

So one runs already in and Henderson winds up at third after a pair of errors on that play allows Atkins not only to tie the contest, but Henderson replaces Coffman at third.

Henderson hanging tough inside the box, as well as low in the zone.

She's able to top it and gets that high shot.

The turf, remember, it bounces differently than dirt does.

So it's not going to be down on the dirt.

It's going to have a little bit more bounce to it.

And so it catches Byrum off guard and then gets past the left fielder, Atkins taking advantage.

And it goes back to talking about defensive miscues and how important it is to play clean defense, because in the game of softball, it is so often the difference between a win and a loss just comes down to one or two mental mistakes.

We mentioned the numbers on the season for Alexi Franklin, the pitcher for Boonville 92 runs allowed this year, but only 41 of those were earned.

The defense needs to tighten up for Boonville if they want to stay in this contest.

Obviously now they've given up their lead in talking.

Going back to that point as it worked, as it applies here, know Boonville hasn't been in a state championship game in a while.

So you go out, you get the lead and then it's you can start to tighten up a little bit because you haven't been in the situation before.

You don't know how to close out a championship game.

And so for Boonville though, two, two game, it's like you're starting all over.

You got to put it out of your mind, got to focus on getting the next out.

Alexi Goode in the best hitting player on this team for Adkins now steps up to the plate.

398 average 26 RBI is a chance to put the Lady Red Devils out in front one oh up and out of the zone as a pitcher.

Now that you've given up a couple of hard hit balls and then a couple of defensive miscues, how do you sell yourself down?

Because those things are really out of your control.

Typically, I would say the best way to settle yourself down is to pump in a couple of strikes early in the at bat, but against a hitter like good and you can't risk leaving one that's too fat in the center of the plate with a runner on third.

So this feels like courtesy walk too good in here to try and work around here and go back to work against the bottom half of the order.

Go for five, six, four, five, six, seven.

Rather the ever famous unintentional intentional walk there, Gooden takes first base on four pitches.

Well, runners are on the corners for the catcher, Christian Flory.

The one thing we haven't seen Lexi Franklin do since the first inning either She hasn't worked in the offspeed very much so.

It's very similar to Libby May when she started to get hit hard, started working in that changeup, and that allowed her to be a little bit more effective.

This is the part of the lineup that really started to put good swings against Franklin as Flory flattened out to right back in the second in a hard hit Adam Ball right to the right fielder Kent.

He again was an all state player last year she signed with Southern Arkansas University Rick foul down the left field side This is not your spot.

Yeah lady writer Mm I do like the collegiate mascots throughout the state though.

You got the mule, the mule riders, you got the golden suns, you've got the boll weevil.

That's Arkansas.

Monticello.

Yeah.

For some of the male side of thing.

You can't forget about those wonder boys.

That's right.

That might be.

That might be my favorite one.

Pops up on a play as a former UK bear.

I know I don't agree with any of those, but listen, I was a Hokie.

I've got I've got no room to talk here.

Yeah.

Counts one and two, too.

Florey is on first and third one outs that one sit down towards third, but just foul a good effort by Swenson the moon bowl third baseman.

I always love to see the effort.

It's a change up though, and Flory does a good job keeping her weight back.

But this is why, in my opinion, Franklin needs to work.

That offspeed in just a little bit more is how in front of that ball floor he was down to one or two.

Atkins has already has two home here in the third looking to add more and take their first lead of the contest.

This one listed left field that's going to get down Atkins out in front the RBI single from first and Flory a solid piece of hitting by Flory with a runner on third base, got a ball.

It was up in the zone a little bit off, wasn't it?

Pure Offspeed a little bit lower in velocity and just kept her weight back.

You can see how she hits off of the back hip.

That's the key for hitting.

Look at how far she is in her stance when that ball to her she's really pushing off about back hips that allows her to keep that power behind her and drive the ball down left field really good.

Two strike swing there shortens up just puts one in play, finds a hole.

So first and second.

Now for Kenley Prater add ons this already big inning.

If you're Boonville you've got to find a way to settle down as Atkins is really important good swings on and that one popped up right side but the play cannot be made by Ellie Smith couldn't locate the fence now falls harmlessly to the turf.

Bobby Softball is a game of peaks and valleys.

Seven innings may not feel long to people who are watching, but when you're in it, seven innings can feel eternal.

And so you have to learn how to manage your emotions and ride out those peaks and valleys and find some nice middle ground, even when things aren't going your way takes that one on the inner portion of the plate.

So she's behind in the count one and two.

Yesterday we saw a game that had 34 combined strikeouts and did Delphine with whatever score.

This one kind of has the feeling that it might take six or seven or maybe even more to win today and fouled away.

This one feels a little bit more like the six eight matchup between Bryant and Cabot, the Slugfest.

And that goes back to learning how to manage the emotions and finding a way because Bryant was trailing heading into that seventh inning and plated five to end up knocking off it.

Good, right?

That's the one to the ropes.

The left side again, again, it goes foul and Praytor is on it.

Praytor all over these pitches on the inner half of the plate.

Look at the contact point is going to be out in front of the plate hands just a little bit out in front of the barrel.

To keep that ball in fair play.

You got to let it travel just a little bit deeper into the stands.

You need to hit front hip as opposed to out in front.

There's change up there to change the speed.

The infield fly rule, in effect, is a matter of those viral makes the catch second out of the inning and a much needed outs.

Ms.. Praytor is retired and big out for Boonville change up smart idea from Franklin way out in front of that is Praytor can adjust the offspeed and see how far in front on that left foot that she is.

Infield fly is especially important because you just kind of able to reset yourself now with two outs and even Carson looks at her calling first strike.

She walked on four pitches her first time off.

So that's the first time she's seen one across the plate that matter of the inning to come up for Atkins and Carson sends one high out to right field.

The center fielder coming over.

She makes the play Presley, Walker and retires Asi but not before Atkins pushes three across and takes their first lead of the game.

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Atkins out in front for the first time today, Boonville needs to respond after that big inning and the lady Red Devils.

If Boonville can take anything away from this game up to this point, is the fact that they've been able to hit Libby pretty hard at points during this game.

The lady Bearcats have barreled up balls while they've gotten runners on base, so a one run game the way that Boonville has been batting really isn't that much.

You just have to go right back to work.

Called First Strike on Kiley Lunsford Corrections is Carmen Kent step out swinging since we're out the second.

The back spin, though, gives enough time her to beat the throw.

The first throw to first does get away, but Kent not able to advance it.

It's a tough play for Henderson to make over its second base.

A ton of English on the ball coming off of the bat of Kent.

Look at how this ball spins.

The contact point.

It's a little bit underneath the ball, creates the backspin and then with the turf, the ball hops differently on turf.

There's nothing for it to grab on to.

So it's going to spin differently.

Same thing here for Henderson is that ball just jumps away from her.

There was no time to make the play at first.

And a lucky break there for Atkins that can't did not advance on the air and throw so that's listed as an infield single Boonville now has five hits in the contest reports they walk they're coming up She was hit by a pitch back in the second place.

It was down to Bonds and that one was just foul.

So Boonville trying to play a little small ball and move the runner up and have to do it again.

I like the idea for Boonville, though, trying to play small ball to advance the runner.

It's a good sacrifice.

Bunt from Walker just pushes it a little bit too much.

You can see her reaching out with the barrel of the bat instead of allowing that ball to travel to her is when you are a sacrifice.

Bunting If you let that ball travel to you, that's what deadens it.

When you try to push it too much, that's when you get those foul balls that go just fell up and out of the zone.

That scored a bunt there though.

Did Kent expecting a square to bunt though that's why may going with the rise ball trying to maybe get away with an easy pop up on the infield and they seem to have settled down since that rough second inning and I'm in trouble here for the infield single now and also misses out of the zone.

That's just the way Christina Florio works.

It almost looks like she's about to fire back to second base every throw.

And it makes you question what you're seeing.

Everyone has their own style and fouled back and out of play.

Boonville in their second championship game appearance in school history.

Fastpitch softball started in the 19 late 1990s 9899, I believe the change up to ten since they gave up on that pitch about half way and luckily she did it.

That one drops down out of the zone.

So the really good recognition there she is frozen that much by I I'm going to say it was the second one and she's actually lucky she didn't get called for the swing because she drops her bat in a forward motion to count.

Pitch misses outside.

That's ball four.

So an infield single in a walk now has the lady Bearkats in business.

Best case for Boonville here looking for a response to Atkins's May trying to work the outer part of the plate with the curveball over throws it a little bit and you see micro adjustments, give macro results and win.

As a pitcher, you're just trying to be a little bit too fine on that outside corner.

You end up missing a foot by about of the plate, rather by about a foot.

Lila Byram for 47 average 27 RBI steps in Still a left handers batter's box.

She takes one know over the outer half been able to apply a little pressure here to runners on nobody out top of the lineup.

Byram has really good barrel control and a lot of speed and so this is going to force Atkins to be very solid in their defense the Red Devils going to have to communicate here about coverages and where the throw should go.

Oh, this is outside.

Even something kind of 1 to 1.

You really feel like this needs to be a productive at bat from from Byram.

Whether it's just moving the ball runners over.

Obviously you'd love a base hit.

If you're a Boonville fan, you've got to find a way to get those two runners in scoring position with one out and with.

But with Byram at the plate, if she grounds about a third base, that's going to be an easy out for Atkins.

So she either needs to shorten up and pop the ball down to the shallow part of the outfield.

If Byram is going to go to the left field or she needs to be able to get around the ball and bring it to the right side of the field to at least advance the runner on second base.

But to that point, that's also why you're seeing me really try to work the outer part of the plate.

She's trying to force that ball on the ground at third base, again, staying on that outer half.

And now she's run the count to three and one and may have to give in a little bit here to Byram From Byram, I'm looking for a good pitch to hunt here, because exactly to your point, Bobby May does not want to issue a walk to load the bases full with nobody out in the fourth inning.

And a heart of the lineup is coming up now, one down in a way so she gets ahead in the counts did Libby made one fourth straight out of the zone and has now loaded the bases for the lady Bearcats infield single and a pair of walks have Atkinson and Jan Smith to look at the Boonville faithful who made the trip to get a mound visit here from Coach Porter and talk things over Ellie Smith coming up to the plate 3 to 6 average for Boonville.

So nobody out there has the makings of a huge inning for the Lady Bearcats.

So the exact reason why you're seeing Matt Porter out in the circle talking to the infield, trying to calm everybody down.

And the other conversation that's being had here is making sure that, you know, defensively where the ball needs to go.

I expect Atkins to come out with a shortened defense, trying to cut the run at home.

So bring everybody in.

But that means the ball gets on you quicker.

And so you have to be aware as a fielder, if the ball is hit to me, where am I going in this situation?

And so even at the collegiate level, you'll see coaches come out and have that conversation because in the heat of the moment it's very easy to forget and just go routinely, Oh, I need to go to first or I need to go here.

But no, you know, one running game, you really need to make an emphasis to try and cut down this runner at home plate.

You could see Coach Porter there not only talking to his pitcher, but talking his entire unit, as you just talked about.

Make sure, you know, you go the short way, get the outs.

Don't try to force anything too much.

But trying to make a spectacular play because the most important thing, if the ball is put in play, is to get an out somewhere.

So Ellie Smith steps in.

She's one for two, struck out in the first single in the third.

Wow.

And misses off the edge of the plate close but does not get the call That's one of the sometimes that late movements is a bad thing and I'm a little surprised here.

Atkins is playing more more depth.

So right now, the Red Devils not moving in in the infield or the outfield waves and misses that one does.

SMITH count now?

One and one.

It's a good look at the alignment there they are back on the field.

Typically in this situation you would expect to at least see second and shoreside even with the bases.

Another swing and a miss there from Smith and so she's now behind in the count might have chased those two out of the zone up and away felt like Smith pressing a little bit in this situation we talked about how Atkins recognizes this is a big situation.

So does Boonville.

I went of the zone as well, does not chase.

I mean, this is the dream scenario.

Bases load in the state championship game.

You always want to come through with the big hits dream scenario.

If you're a player that thrives under pressure, some players don't.

They don't like the big moment.

Smith lays off that one, too.

Now bases loaded in a full count won't be in motion as there's no one out there.

This is a crucial, crucial pitch for Libby May, the junior pitcher from Atkins, stretch the wrist.

The signal this one shot back to the pitcher may comes hold for the out quick throw to third almost there but not in time so the force out is made at home.

The first out of the inning is recorded and everybody moves up 60 feet really great defensive play by May, fielding her position because she had to jump for the ball and then reset.

But the most important thing is watch how she gets up to this ball.

Reset outs herself and then delivers the strong third it at home.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen pitchers make a good play to stop the ball, but then they rushed the throw and so a good job.

I may to ensure she got the out Ellie swing chopper back to the shortstop hits by the pitcher and was able to Kauffman able to make the throw and get the album the run does come home to score that ties the contest on the RBI single from loose went to a big ball put into play by swing.

It's just enough to get past the glove.

May he slows it down just a smidge.

Atkins able to get the out but Booneville with the response to tie this game at three set RBI single that's my mistake.

RBI groundout like that.

Oh, they intentionally walk.

Lexi Franklin So that loads the bases the second time that she's been walked.

So bases now loaded again, but this time with two outs.

And it's going to bring up Ronnie Tillery, who has 25 RBI on the season.

You like that?

Move to load the bases, get the force out anywhere.

Not in this situation, I don't because of how well Tillery then takes the first good strike.

Tillery is taking a first hit strike every time she's been up there.

I've played with a lot of hitters that like to look at the first pitch.

Not my preference, but considering the last at bat that Tillery had where she hung in a lot ended up striking out on the changeup.

But it's a risky move.

There is a changeup again dive down and then the count now one and one.

So Bootle will push this one across.

They got the ever important answer run the tie the contest after giving up the lead.

They've got a chance for a lot more.

Tillery tries the checker swing, but it's fouled away ball up here.

TILLERY Just trying to check the swing, not quite able to get the barrel back counts one and two may deliver just off the edge of the plate.

Now two and two may trying to expand the zone there after Tillery goes after the same pitch on that same portion of the zone may recognize as it goes about an inch or so further and again tried to go back to that change up misses inside.

And now with the full count, the runners are going to be in motion.

So one gets in the outfield too likely going to score for the lady Bearcats, all comes down to who can produce in the big moments.

Full count pitch for May that went up and out of the zone and that's an RBI base on balls and Boonville back out in front Tillery with the good at bat there drives home the run and one of the cheapest army eyes you'll ever receive in life.

And they all count the same in the Scorebook and it's a very passionate bat by Tillery that ends up paying off because she swung at that pitch two pitches ago that made the adjustment to recognize able to calm the nerves down a little bit and not over swing.

So Cameron Parish now going to step up to the plate.

She's reached in both of her appearances single in the second hit, a pitch in the third oh oh job foul Big moment here for Boonville.

They've regained the lead.

They answered.

Yeah.

So let's put a little distance between them and the lady Red Devils.

You'll hear coaches talk a lot about when you get punched.

What can you do to respond in right now?

Boonville with a statement response able to load the bases and push two runs across after giving up three in the bottom of the third and then Mrs. Low and now Parrish ahead in the count.

Kylee Lunsford would be next up there, Parrish could find a way to reach the two one taking a little bit off of that one not a full changeup, but gets that one over the outer half and a swing and a miss up the count of two.

That's a little bit over the drop ball as it's breaking low and away as it's moving across the plate to shoot out to Cameron Parish.

The Boonville second baseman chased one up and out of the zone couldn't checker swing and that retires the side for Boonville at the lady Bearcats pushed to a cross and they're back out in.

We have got a good one brewing here and the 38 championship game and you're watching it on Arkansas PBS sports.

What exactly did they get wrong that Arkansas values our teachers House and Senate thought was very disingenuous?

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We've had an answer for The answer is that fans have a third answer to the question.

You're not confused by how we got here.

It's four three Boonville out in front.

Melissa Lindley with a to the plate.

Atkinson eight batters to the plate in the third delivery misses low.

Same theory applies here for Atkins in the bottom of the fourth as it did to Boonville in the top half of the inning.

What you did to get yourself here in terms of runs is what you need to continue to do well and Mrs. Load to know when there are 287 batting average on the season now and also Mrs. Low's three on any show about the wristbands and softball.

I wish we would have had them because there's so much more information that you can have.

When I was playing, it was just the signals.

You had to know what they were.

You didn't get a check and make sure that you got it.

Got it right.

So if you ever watch if you're watching the baseball and softball games that one catches the top after the zone, you'll hear that you're going to hear hear people yelling out a combination of three numbers.

Well, obviously, that correlates with something on the wristband.

We've seen it in baseball and obviously softball all week.

We'll have to ask Jenny Parsons next year.

She'll let me take a look at one that was lifted left field.

That one's going to split.

The defender saw Boonville get all the way to the fence.

It's going to be a long single as the Lady Bearcats do a nice job of getting that back in on the infield.

So Lindley held a loud single that rounded off the chain link left center here at First Field.

If Atkins is not scoring this inning, we'll be taking a lot of the defensive play.

But that's a really great swing ball low in the zone and Lemley does a nice ball.

Nice job, rather, keeping the bat on the plane as she's coming through, able to make solid contact with that.

But the defensive play out in left center field to keep Plumlee at first base, that could be a huge difference maker because that is so much more difficult to get a runner in from first than it is from Duvall's attempt at a bunts miss there she's down on the count.

Oh and one.

Serenity grounded out to short in her first plate appearance.

It was a big turn though by Lindley at first and she saw the nice relay throw in from the outfield side of the better of it.

But don't make the first out of the inning at second.

As a base runner, it's a smarter decision to hold up and make sure that you're safe.

That bomb popped up right back to the pitcher and the third baseman comes over and sweat the play.

So Duvall can't get the bunt down, and that's the first out of the inning.

So back in order, Franklin doing a good job of pitching to a sacrifice situation.

Duvall is everyone knows she's going to square in sacrifice or the ball stays up in the zone and just the barrel drop at the last second.

So that's the difference when you sacrificing keep the barrel level at the top of the zone, push it down to the ground.

Any time the barrel starts to drop, you're in trouble as a batter.

And this looked like she tried to kind of chop at it, which is going to lose a little control over the head of the bat there.

And that causes you not to be able to get the ball down.

Bobbie, you and I have talked multiple times throughout the state championship weekend that bunting seems to be at times a lost over.

It is it's not not quite as glamorous as the the walk around the bases with a home run.

Plus in softball comes down to doing the unglamorous things right.

It's same principle in basketball.

You have to do somebody who's going to do the dirty work.

And it's oftentimes the little things that go unspoken that make the difference and end up getting you wins.

Libby May Sons went out to right now this one tracking through the right field line is Carmen Kit and she makes the play signal leadoff hitter for Atkins is retired and now we have two down the line Nice job by Kent to move to her left and make the play near the foul line.

Maye catches the ball deep in the zone just underneath a little, but a good job by Kent to track that ball down.

It was slicing and moving away towards the right center for the right field corner.

So two outs for McKinley Kauffman.

She's been first good swinging in both of her bats.

Changes here on the changeup.

Let's see Franklin might have recognized that as well The third time through the order is typically where you see both batters and pitchers make the most adjustments because they've both gotten comfortable with one another.

Kauffman's had a really productive day so far, single in the first, a triple in the third.

She came around to score on that RBI triple later.

She's doing her job as expected, 388 average on the season swinging there sends that one to third through across the diamond.

My switch hits the out a123 inning which has been rare today would move of course it there and the lady Bearkats have a43 lead as we've completed four innings of play.

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We're more than halfway home here in the three eight state championship game and plenty of action up to this point with the Lady Bearcats from Boonville struck first as they pushed across two runs in the second inning.

Atkins struggled a little bit early on swinging the bat, mainly because they just kept hitting it right to the Lady Bearcats defense.

But Atkins on offense finally woke up a couple hard hit balls bouncing off the fence, and Atkins took a 3 to 2 lead.

But since then, Boonville been able to answer back as the Lady Bearcats was across in the fourth.

And that's where we're at right now, is Boonville has a 4 to 3 lead as we head to the fifth lady, Bearcats getting it done and then responding when they needed to.

And this one feeling like it's going to come out down to maybe the last round of it that is this is has really been a pound for pound fight throughout this entire game and there wasn't any worry that Carman can't going to lead things off.

I didn't understand the story calling on the in her third and fourth and missed the batter there.

Lunsford was supposed to this loss got it out to second first pitch ground out seconds up stock attention What's in front of me?

Swing and a miss There on Kent.

The best thing for me in this inning is to be able to work quickly and get Atkins back into the dugout.

First pitch outs will definitely work in her favor.

No Doubt about that.

We're going to miss very quickly, just like that, four pitches into it, two outs here in the fifth.

And now that you're starting to get down to your final nine outs, the final three innings, of course, every pitch, every run matters.

So Atkins wants to keep that deficit at just a so crucial is the defensive play here as you get later into the innings in a one run game it was Presley Walker, the center fielder Allen catches the inner corner so five pitches this inning all five have gone for strikes.

You can see that she's deliberate.

She's going to work, not wasting any time.

Any motion gets a signal and toes the rubber and goes to work.

You're going to miss Walker 220 average on the season three RBIs and a two freshman in the starting lineup for Boonville And this is outside to freshman and three sophomores in the starting lineup for this Boonville squad.

It's called being ahead of schedule in a program swing and miss and quick inning there for Atkins Groundout and a pair of strikeouts Louisville goes in order top half the fifth lady Red Devils.

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And they need a win today to put on the chin yesterday and opening round the NCAA tournament meaning they're going to go up against the Long Island today at 230 over in Tuscaloosa trying to extend their season.

We heard from Mary Kate Brown, the former Atkins red devil.

She's tuning in.

First pitch swing.

It lifted high and deep left center field ranging over to center fielder Walker.

She can't make the play.

And that's going to be a stand up double for Atkins.

And the lady Red Devils are in business.

Huge lead off double off of the bat of Adrian Henderson goes first pitch hunting.

Look at where this pitch is.

It is about knee high and beautiful contact gets the barrel behind it.

You could tell that ball was well-struck, by the way, that it came off of the bat and Atkins needed a response here in the bottom of the fifth inning, getting short on outs.

That is a big one.

Now, Lexi Gooden going to step in the center fielder for the Red Devils, splits the heart of the plate.

Gooden watches it go by Gooden a 398 average on the season that's team best 13 doubles 26 RBI shakes down off the outside corner it over to the right side and Carmen Kent arranges over to her right and makes the play a case of Gooden just being overly aggressive, a change up on the outer part of the plate.

She's a she's looking for something good to hit, but this pitch is not in good hands.

Power spot.

She makes the adjustment to the speed, but because of the location, she's not able to barrel it up well as a hitter.

And as these hitters continue to progress and learn if the ball is not in your power zone, it's best more than likely to just take the strike.

Don't try and go after it.

So Kristen Flory now steps in.

She's one for two RBI single back in the third.

We say you commit now 20 RBI is on the season.

This will be remiss not mention the Arkansas softball squad won their opening yes convincingly as well.

They hammered one of the Ivy League schools last night.

This one lost it in the left side.

Shallow left field fielded by Layla Byrum, the shortstop, and quickly two down after the leadoff double good bounce back by Franklin after giving off the leadoff double to your point Arkansas are going to take on Auburn later this afternoon, try to secure their spot in the final of their feels.

A lot like last year, doesn't it?

Yeah.

Oh, does two outs now for Kenley Prater lays off a change up get ahead in the count Brady Oh for two on the day popped out to short last time up at bats 24 and seven on the season and the championship game for the second consecutive year fell to ash down a season ago.

Trying to right that wrong this time around.

She was swinging to right fielder right to Kent who makes the play coming in and now the sign is retired so we're three five Boonville leads it 4 to 3.

Don't go anywhere.

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Farm Bureau Insurance, Real service, real people, more hard field services providing precise original ground drone topography over the Midwest, South U.S. 24 hour delivery service great accuracy visit more Hartsfield services dot com for details, we have reached the six the Boonville leads at 4 to 3 and they're looking to add on to that advantage top of the order coming up Byram takes striker one called on the outside corner fourth time through the lineup here for Greenville they were able to get to Atkins and Libby may back in the fifth inning the third time through and so I expect very aggressive takes here chopper back to the pitcher fielded well and the plays made by May 1st out is recorded an even number innings have been good to the lady Bearkats two in the second two in the fourth good contact from Byram just right back up the middle timed it well able to get on top but a good job by Maye fielding her position.

She's been able to work through Boonville in the last two innings quickly to be able to get Atkins back into the dugout.

She brings up Ellie Smith.

She's first good swing.

That one lifted over the left side, tracking towards the wall over there and nice efforts by Serenity Duvall.

But the freshman cannot yet make the play You know really good effort over there by Duvall lot more room here at Ferris field than most of your high school field.

So Duvall trying to track that ball down just out of her reach.

Smith singled in the third reached on a fielder's choice in the fourth.

He's one for three on the day stands a little farther off the plate to a lot of hitters We'll see this weekend as well.

I hope they're there.

Oh, she might have been aware of that one.

It's always interesting to talk to hitters about where they like to stand in the box and where they feel comfortable in.

It all depends on your style of batting.

Smith has a little bit more speed, so she's a little bit more neutral inside the plate.

I was more of a power hitter.

No one ever accused me of being fast, so I like to be in on the plate a little bit up in the so I could catch balls early in the zone, get a little bit more of that launch angle and come around the ball.

I was a Deadpool hitter.

I didn't hit very well to right field.

I can tell you how to do it.

Couldn't quite do it.

That one lifted.

Now it's back near the wall.

It's got to bounce off the fence.

Ellie Smith's going to have at least two.

She's around and headed for third and she's in stand up triple for Ellie Smith.

Well-struck ball off of the bat of Ellie Smith, times it perfectly and keeps the barrel long through the zone.

That's what allows her to generate so much power is that balls going opposite field.

Look at how long this barrel is is it just comes through the zone quick to contact and then the sweeping action keeps that barrel back all the way and then Smith running well after that ball stays out in the outfield she's thinking three the entire time just the second triple of the season for Ellie Smith but now she has Boonville runner 60 feet away from adding on to this lead first pitch swinging right back at the pitcher Mae Fields.

It looks the runner back and Lelia swings really robbed of a base hit.

There is a nice reaction from Mae Evac and is able to come back and win this game.

We'll be looking at this play because swint absolutely nails this ball right back up the middle.

Great job by me to knock it down and then the presence of mind to look back the runner and still be able to get the out at first.

That's a great defensive play in a big pressure situation release went robbed of her second RBI of the game Lexi Franklin intentionally walks for a third time today when no part of the opposing pitcher so Franklin to her 441 average and 13 walks is now got 16 walks on the season.

That's going to bring a visit from coach Matt Porter.

Well first base open and a runner on third we didn't like when they loaded the bases.

How do you feel about this one?

I still don't.

I don't.

As if I were coaching, I wouldn't want to do it.

But you know, it's you play a matchup that you have.

This is a good one.

Bruin if you want to watch this and order a copy of it on DVD, you can do so just go to M Productions dot net and place your order.

Boonville and Atkins locked up here in the three state softball championship.

Sure to stick around all day today on Arkansas PBS, Vinton and Green County Tech coming up in the five AA championship.

It's a rematch.

Last year's contest, the Lady Panthers looking to repeat.

And we've got some baseball action for you coming up later today.

I know the five eight game is the last valley.

You and Little Rock Christian.

I know I'm brain dead.

I here the first baseball game is but it's the fourth.

We'll probably tell you eventually.

It's okay.

You've been out here a while.

I've been here a lot of championships being handed out this week in 20 in all, including soccer.

So we're soccer championships going on today at the stadium as well.

So there's no reason for you not to be in com life unless you're here on television.

Of course, don't leave your couch unless you're coming to watch it live.

Ronnie Tillery now steps up to the plate.

She's 042 with a walk and zero bases loaded walk in the fourth Tillery rates on that changeup watches it go by low.

It's a one on one.

I like the idea though, for me to try and work on that changeup.

Tillery has been aggressive in all of her at bat.

She's gone hunting on good pitches to try to keep Tillery honest, mix up the speed a little bit, maybe try to get out of this jam.

Tillery lifts one right side that was back to the right fielder but makes the play Kenley Praytor just shy the fence here at Ferris Field and that's a big out.

Number three is Atkins holds the deficit to one.

See if they can tie it up coming up in the bottom of the sixth, as you're watching the Centennial Bank State Softball Championship on Arkansas, PBS Sports.

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Seven, eight and nine.

Coming up for the Atkins lady Red Devils is a trail.

It's here in a three day state championship game 4 to 3.

So as Coffin Lily and Duvall, number 72, Baldwin and Maven oh for one on the day drew a walk in the second flight out to center and the third, Allen fouled off her foot in the box and we'll reset and do it again and brought it up in the break Dorian that's Atkins has not been retired in order at all at this point today had a baserunner and every inning he's got to find a way to stretch.

Does it put together a few of those now and so far, Atkins with six runners left on base.

Carson Lyons out to short.

That's Dorian Kraft.

I'm Bobby Swafford.

Thanks for tuning in today the softball championship number five of the weekend.

Atkins continues to hit the ball hard.

That's the third or fourth line drive out They've hit directly at somebody on boom defense.

And again, it just goes back to it's a matter of time.

But right now, Atkins running out of outs and so continue to put the ball in play hard is the only thing they can do.

That one fouled away by Alyssa Lemley because they out like and Bobby back to that point of runners left on base you take a look at the fourth in the fifth innings for Atkins they've had runners on second base on leadoff doubles in each those innings but have not been able to advance the runner to third and have not been able to bring them in.

This one could be trouble down the right field line with that one's going to say just foul is a ticked off the glove, I believe, of Carmen Kent.

The right fielder range, again, could not make the play.

Atkins has been retired in seven of their last eight at bats.

May maybe settling down a little bit is Lexi Franklin, the junior pitcher from Boonville.

A really good effort there from Kent Parish and Smith all after the tweener gives me nightmares used to practice those dislocated a rib going after one of those now went up and out of the zone try to get her to expand the Lemley holds off good patience there from Lemley you have to know is the batter the situation you have to get base runners if you're Atkins And so if you're the red Devils inside the box, you can't afford to go after something that's not a strike.

One two pitch dives in on the hands does not get the call.

So it evens up the count of two apiece.

That's a good pitch.

But it has not been called a strike throughout the course of this game.

It's been a consistent zone, Bobbie, as you pointed out earlier, in that portion of the plate today, just not a called strike.

So here's a 2 to 2 Lemley length one again down the right field line.

That one's going to get out of play, though, so we'll reset a good battle here by Lemley, which is what you have to ask of if you're Atkins Just stay in the box, try and battle bell off a bunch of pitches.

Maybe you can work a walk because baserunners are exactly what Atkins mean.

Time is not your friend in this situation.

That's that's chopped out the short Maro makes the throw ties Lemley for the second out of the inning, Boonville doing what they need to do.

The balls are in play from Atkins Boonville playing solid defense, another ground ball over to Byram Fields it cleanly grabs a little bit out in front.

On top of that pitch was Lumley Byrum fields it strong throw over to first in time so now step Serenity Duvall with two outs in the bottom of the sixth hole for to round out the short she popped out to third This is their oh so eight of the last nine have been retired by Franklin and splits the heart of the plate.

Sometimes it just takes you a little longer to settle in but it really seems like the Boonville pitcher has done just that 226 strikeouts on the season.

Not a lot of punch outs today, but their defense has done an admirable job behind her.

Lexi Franklin continues to look like she is getting stronger as this game goes on.

Yeah, very comfortable.

Especially pitching with runners on base has been comfortable and unfazed when scores runs.

And so, you know, very calm inside the circle, which is exactly what you want over your starting pitcher Franklin struck out two batters in the front the first and that's the only two she struck out all day this one lifted right side and that was going to drop right in front of the center fielder.

So so Duvall has her first hit of the contest.

And again, Atkins, as a runner on base, all you need sometimes is a bloop and a blast.

Atkins comes through with the two out bloop good piece of hitting here from Duvall.

It's a ball in the outer part of the plate.

Doesn't try to do too much, just barrels up and makes solid contact, watches the ball all the way to contact as well.

That's a big piece of hitting that typically gets overlooked because it seems routine.

But a good job by Duvall just getting on base and her team needs her to the most and that flips the lineup back to the top of the order for Atkins and.

Libby May she doubled came around to score in the third I like all three of Atkins runs came in the third at that time called as Coach Porter.

She's going to have a coach umpire conversation, Mr. Harris back there behind the plate and get that substitution just a second.

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So we're going to have a runner come in for Atkins.

That's broccoli will cuts love the rainbow.

Atkins is number one.

Brooklyn Walker she runs for Duvall over at first will get replaces the left fielder Duvall at least for now.

Porter did tell us that that's the go to courtesy or pinch runner second fastest player on the team that was sent to the right field line.

But foul softball is a game of inches that's a great swing for Maye trying to help her own cause down the right field line in with the pinch runner that's in on first Atkins would have been looking to try and push that run around.

Yeah that likely would have tied the game as a ball kind of bounced around in the corner, but Lamb's just foul So allowed strike number one.

TOLIVER You may take a little off there.

Did Franklin's sails out of the zone?

Well, I'm not surprised that Franklin tried to go to the change up there.

Mae has time.

The ball well, all game long again, with pitchers, they tend to know the strikes and better as well.

And so this is really a chess match here between the two and on the feet of May as the dance around it.

Now it's three and one certainly don't want to push that tying run in the scoring position.

What's the free pass here?

Does he ever dangerous McKinley Coffman would be next May fouls that one off now the counts going to be flawless going to put the runner in motion over in first base so we'll get a chance to see the speed of will cut the pinch runner.

I like the aggressive cut though for May Franklin going to her best pitch which is the rise ball but Franklin or may rather looking for a pitch to hit she wants to take care of this herself.

Here's the full count pitch Maye chops one over to the left side of strong throw by switch is in time and Atkins is retired in the sixth We're headed to the last.

Pujols got a 4 to 3 lead looking for some insurance.

Ron stick around.

You're watching Centennial Bank State Softball Championship on Arkansas.

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We're never going to reach the seventh inning of play.

Boonville clinging to a 4 to 3 lead.

They will try to add to that as Cameron Parish going to lead things off for the lady Bearcats.

It takes one up and away from Libby.

May a pitch counts over 100 now for Libby.

May six innings, six hits, four runs, six strikeouts and six walks.

You can see the trend there consists of giving up a hit, a walk every inning.

It also striking out a batter.

To be fair, three of those walks have come via the intentional Lexi Franklin So as always, going to push the walk count the two over swing, put on a firm Parrish right at the center fielder though, and Lexi Gooden comes in a few steps and makes the plate, retires The leadoff hitter here in the seventh most important thing of your Atkins is to be able to get out, get back into the dugout, try and tie this game up in the bottom of the seventh.

Boonville needs a battle inside the box.

They want to add some extra insurance here because one run doesn't feel like enough in this game that has been so back and forth.

Here's Kiley Lunsford.

She grounded out on a first first pitch, swinging in the fifth.

And she's first but swinging again here.

She's out for three within reach on a fielder's choice and scored back in the second Boonville, trying to hang on for their second championship in school history in 19 years since they won the first one has only been alive back then.

That's where they've been at high school for a long time.

That's just really makes me depressed because in 2004 I was a junior so I was I was out of college, so I don't want to hear it.

That one just misses outside.

Cal is now one and two.

That was my first year covering sports in Arkansas.

In fact, I'm a late swing there on the change up.

Just just enough to stay alive.

Falling down in the box was Lunsford.

But whatever takes to say however you can do to keep it going completely locked up and the changeup, I've never seen that in my entire life, but a great job just playing defense, batting there.

And two to Lunsford.

And this is low common Kent on the on deck circle is Boonville claims to a43 lead.

So the numbers for Libby may balance that out towards the second baseman.

HENDERSON She makes the play the easy throw and to shut it down.

Good job by Henderson.

Just fielding her position again, it comes back to clean defense.

That's all Akins needs to do right now.

Two away in the top of the seventh.

Get out of this.

In looking ahead to the bottom of the seventh, it's going to be two, three and four in the lineup for Atkins.

They've got to do work here in the top half of the seventh as Carman Kent steps in first pitch swinging and set over the third.

Going to be a quick play from the throw.

Not in time from Ketcham as Kent beats out the infield single first third hit of the day weighted hustled down the line by Carmen Kent.

This is a slow roller.

It's a no man's land on the infield and.

The defense gets kind of caught up because Maye looks like she's going for the ball off of the mound.

That forces catching the hold up.

And so it causes just enough miscommunication that it allows Kent to get down the line.

Had to pick an MVP of just today only not the entire state tournament.

Carmen Kent's making the argument three basic she has four put outs out in right field.

She's certainly played well.

That's all you can ask is to show up big in the biggest moments yet.

It's her last game of the career.

The senior Carmen playing really, really well for Ashley Walker.

Now I'm going to step in.

She is hit by a pitch in the second walked in the fourth first pitch, swinging right back to me.

She makes a quick throw to first, and that's going to do it for the top half of the seventh as the single is stranded.

But Boonville they leave it 4 to 3.

We're headed to the last.

Can Atkins mount a rally?

We'll find out next.

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Welcome back to Fierce Field.

I'm Bobby Swafford alongside Dorian kraft.

It's the bottom of the seventh is Atkins's to their final three outs season and hopes to win their second state championship in school history.

But in their way it is pitcher Lexi Franklin's and the Booneville Lady Bearkats also eyeing that title First pitch swinging It was McKinley Coffman she singled in the first tripled.

In the third.

She's had a good day, the Atkins shortstop.

If you're Atkins, this is the batter that you want leading off the seventh inning when you have to have baserunners.

Coffman has had really good at bats.

Bobby, to your point, come away with couple of key hits.

Coffman swings of that one lifts it got underneath it fell just a little bit right to the center fielder.

Walker, who comes in, makes the first out of the inning a big outs as you mentioned, because Coffman was been on fire.

Some really good swings today.

Lexi Franklin has gotten a ton of fly out in this game and this is the reason why.

Look at the contact point just slightly underneath that ball, not keeping the hands high, driving it through.

And as a batter in this situation, you're thinking in the back of your mind that you can tie this game with one swing, but you really have to focus on driving through the center.

Adrian Henderson swings it the first pitch, but right at least swiped the third baseman and quickly to her down here in the seventh.

That's a big second out.

It's always the last out of a state championship game That is the toughest to get.

You can put away a batter on a single pitch and then let some of that tension go a little bit.

And now Lexi Gooding going to be stepping to the plate, has to be a little bit patient here.

You can see the last bit of conversation that she's having with head coach Matt Porter, just talking through the nerves because it can be so nerve wracking to come over the plate loss, the state championship game.

Here's the senior Lexi Gooden.

398 average, four homers, 13 doubles, leads the team in hitting this is who you want up if you need to extend your season Franklin fastball splits the heart of the plate.

Gooden today walked in the third struck out and also has a flowers on the ledger Gooden fouls that one straight back and quickly you know to hold Boonville faithful can be heard they're used to having success there can football team in the state championship game this year No.

Two and I went up and out of the zone the Baltimore fans one of them that was the right call you could have thrown that into the ocean.

I would have thought it was a strike.

And good patience, though, by Gooden to not be overly aggressive, I understand.

Or in Arkansas, that's as far outside the ocean within a one to again up and out of the zone evens up the count at two apiece.

The most important thing for you for Gooden is just stay patient.

Don't try to get too aggressive.

Don't try and tie this game with one swing.

Like see Franklin trying to go the distance in the circle for the lady Bearcats the two to balance job fouled on the left field line Gooden stays alive good battle here from good and gone after close pitches made some good contact She let the first one go just to calm those nerves a little bit has an expanded the zone.

This is the kind of a bat that you want in this situation Lexie versus Lexie here.

Good versus good.

That one just out of the zone.

Now the count runs for right now.

Franklin hasn't struck out a batter since the first inning, but Boonville has made the plays behind her need to find a way to get good in here.

What allow that tying run to reach base the meeting in the minds just to calm the pitcher down just a little bit because you know, the nerves have to be through the roof for the junior Franklin.

Everything's ramped up.

You have that a little extra adrenaline going in this situation.

The pitch swung and missed the throw down.

The first is going to do it in the Boonville lady Bearcats have won the three eight state softball title.

She got good in the chase one down out of the zone and Boonville for the second time wins the crowd.

Credit to the Boonville lady Bearcats.

They responded when they needed to made the most of their opportunities and came through with timely hitting at this time in the air.

So much comes down to being able to get the timely hits.

And then Lexi Franklin, a stellar job inside the circle late in the game, closing down Adkins and Boonville catching fire at just the right time, running themselves all the way into a three state championship.

Boonville won ten of their last 14, but the only one that matters is this one.

As Topple Atkins for the three championship trophy presentation coming up.

Stick around.

You're watching the three day state softball championship on Arkansas PBS Sports.

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Welcome back into Ferris field where the Boonville Lady Bearcats have just won the second state championship in softball history as they took Atkins in this contest and they are receiving the hardware right in the middle of Ferris field here in Conway.

As Boonville certainly earned this one.

Let's take a look at the highlights in this contest.

As Boonville takes down Afghans and there is plenty of action, a lot of traffic on the base pass for some really good pitching, really good defense to avoid really that huge inning that both these teams were looking for.

A solid play for both of these teams from start to finish and got started for Boonville in the second inning where they were the plate too off bat of Cameron Parish.

Then the defensive play, as you said, Bobby is really stepping up behind Lexi Franklin Atkins, able to plate a few that is a double there by McKinley and doing damage and then catching one off of a break.

One of the few defensive miscues that the lady Bearcats made ach and still hanging tough, getting batters in when they needed the most.

And then the fourth inning really where things started to change.

And it felt like Boonville took the momentum for teams.

They really did.

You know, Atkins came back and they fell down to nothing but they score three in the third.

But that answer inning was always so important.

Boonville came back and retook the lead and they leaned on their pitcher, Lexi Franklin, as they carried themselves to the three AA state softball championship.

As they take down Atkins by a score of 4 to 3.

Lexi Franklin to this name, the State Tournament MVP.

It kind of assumed that was going to come.

I mean, the way she pitched all year, it picks up her 16th victory of the season and struck out 226.

But the last one was the most important one.

And she gets two strikeouts to win the game.

So that's going to do it for this contest.

But we've got plenty more softball action coming up in just a few minutes as GREENE, County Tech and Bitton going to square off for the five eight championship for the second consecutive year.

Last year's game had a little drama and it's a rain delay, pushed the finish of it.

Vince able to rally back after the rain delay game was resume that's coming up at 1:00.

And of course, we've got some baseball action coming your way tonight, so don't go anywhere.

I have a state softball championship game coming up in about 52 minutes.

So maybe to the bathroom.

Get yourself a nice iced tea and get back.

Enjoy some more softball.

So for Doreen Kraft, I'm Bobby Sanford.

Thanks for tuning in to the three day state softball championship as Boonville takes down Atkins, 43, Lady Bearcats taking that title home.

Once again, you've been watching the Centennial State Softball Championships, Arkansas PBS Sports.