Welcome back to Central Arkansas.

As the weekend of champions in the foray state softball championship is upon us.

The pyramids Lady Blackhawks taking on the Gravett Lady Lions.

They're here at Ferris Field in Conway.

Welcome back to the broadcast booth.

I'm Bobby Swafford alongside Dorian Kraft, and these two teams know all about each other.

The fourth meeting between these northwest Arkansas rivals.

So no surprises here.

Just got to play some softball.

Well, no surprises.

And the no surprises is that Gravett has won all three of the meetings this year.

It's going to be a tough task for Ridge, but they really need to get the bats going early if they want a chance to get the lady.

Lions.

P Ridge is a young team.

17 of their 23 players either refreshment or a sophomore.

So let's take a look at how they made their way here to the championship game and they got a bye as the number two seed from the North conference.

And in the second round of the state term, they shut out Malvern.

And it's a big quality win.

And then they take down Ashdown in the semifinals 5 to 2 to advance to today's state championship game.

And for Pete Ridge, it all starts it all finishes right in the circle.

And their pitcher, Emery Bolan, sophomore Emery Boland has been stellar, both inside the circle and at the plate.

163 innings, 265 strikeouts on the season, averaging more than a strikeout and a half per inning with a minuscule 0.82 era is only given up 19 earned runs all year.

You mentioned that Gravett had defeated periods, all three meetings that includes in the postseason.

So let's take a look at how the Lady Lions got here.

They got the bye in the first round of the state tournament as they were the number one seed, but they actually had a little more trouble in the second round.

The Eagles by Nashville, 7 to 6.

And then they handle business against box on 8 to 2 in the semifinals to set up the trip to the championship game.

And for Gravett really good pitching but also the battery mate Laney Chilton freshman Laney Chilton, one of these young stars for the Lady Lions for 57 on the Year on base.

More than 50% of the time, two doubles, six home runs, 32 RBI Gravett is loaded offensively for hitters that are hitting just south of that 500.

When you have a team that you face as many times as these two Duke Gravett periods, obviously longtime rivals, they're in the 41 conference, one team has won three of them.

So you're the team that's lost all three.

What's your mindset coming into a title game?

Mindset is there's nothing to lose.

You've already lost three games against this specific team, so no one's really expecting you to win.

That takes a little bit of the pressure off.

You're going back to those three games that you played earlier in the year.

You're really dissecting them and seeing what changes you need to make, especially early on in the game, to maybe change things up a little bit, grab it in the state championship game today.

But that doesn't mean deep into the postseason, not a surprise.

They were in the semifinals back in 2011, 17 and 18.

Let's take a look at the weather forecast.

We had a little rain that delayed the start of the two way championship game, but we're on time and well, weather looks perfect today.

77 degrees here in Conroe.

Humidity a little up, but you'd expect that in May as we take a good look at Ferris Field here in Conway, on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.

And beautiful softball weather here at Ferris Field, didn't look that way earlier.

Had the rain moved through.

But it has opened up to be a gorgeous day with a good look at the two head coaches there have a meeting of the minds of the umpiring crew, and we're almost set for the first pitch here in the four day state championship game.

Take a look at the defensive linemen in the starting lineup coming up for both these squads in just a little bit.

Grab it as a team hitting for oh 614 home runs 20 excuse me 46 RBI is 14/3 triples and 99 stolen bases.

That's one thing we haven't talked about a lot this this week with the state championship games they're running.

So let's take a look at the of the batting line up for Pete Ridge.

He's going to get the chance to walk up to the plate.

First you got Warden and Hope Conklin Cooper are the other Conklin Maghera early Rogers Willie and short.

So that's going to your batting order for the lady Blackhawks repeat Ridge who were 20 and ten on the season.

They finished second in the district tournament, second in the regional tournament.

Both of those losses came to Gravett.

I mentioned how young they are.

They do have three players from the 2021 roster that lost in the title game to Morrilton.

So a little bit of a championship game experience as Pete Ridge.

No stranger to playing in big games.

There's a good look at the gravity starting pitcher Sidney Kildow, 2.75 era She's just 28 innings of work and a little surprise that she's getting the start instead of Brooke handle And we'll talk about the dynamic between those two pitchers this game goes along Hanson he killed down the sophomore getting a really big opportunity here early on in the championship game.

Bobby you mentioned 28 innings, 2.75 era killed all a little bit more pitch to contact 21 walks to 23 strikeouts really going to work the lower half of the zone try and get Pea Ridge to come up with grounders drive that ball into the turf.

But a little bit of a surprise not to see Brooke handle out there for the lady lions.

They have Brooke handles done a lot of the heavy lifting this year, 106 innings pitched.

That's 99 strikeouts.

But the going has killed all the start.

This one out for Gravett.

This is not Bobby.

I think that goes back to the familiarity between these two teams.

When you play somebody three times in the season, you get to know them very intimately.

And so then it becomes a chess match between the two head coaches.

How long can grab it?

Run out, killed all, maybe steal a couple of innings before they need to bring in a handle later in the game to switch things up if need be.

So we are almost set for first pitch here in the four day state softball championship game.

Battle number four between the Lady Lions and the Lady Blackhawks grab it looking for their first ever team championship in school history and ready to go as we head step into the plate.

Sizzling wasn't going to be the first batter for the lady Blackhawks and then the 15 the second baseman for the 495 average on the season.

Allen Miss is just outside and we are underway 17 doubles 34 RBI is not bad for a leadoff hitter there for the Lady Blackhawks.

That's exactly what you want out of your leadoff spot, though.

Somebody that is getting on over 50% of the time and putting the ball in play for a hit.

Nearly half of that killed Hall gets the signal.

She delivers that one left and left side coming in as the left fielder for Gravett and Paige Greer makes the catch two pitches and one down.

I like the aggressive swing by ward in the wall up in the zone.

Just gets underneath it a little bit, lifts it out into shallow left field.

But I would expect Ridge to be very aggressive inside the box today, having lost those three games to grab it earlier this year.

Lady Blackhawk's going to need to be aggressive to score some loans they hope.

Conklin Good next up, the map, the shortstop for Pete Ridge 333 average on the season pair of home runs 17 RBI is not a lot of power on this team just nine home runs as a squad I mentioned they're really, really young, so of course they'll grow into that, get a little stronger, a little older, a little more experience.

You know, the game has been trending more towards the power numbers, but you don't always have to do it with home runs.

Yes, home runs are fun.

They're the sexy hit.

But you can do it going station to station just as well.

Top of the first.

That one lifted again left side to the third baseman.

And Lady Chilton there makes the play and puts it away.

Another easy pop up for Chilton in foul territory.

Tom Clear underneath and in front of that ball, Kildow throws a little bit slower than handle does 5758 miles an hour.

And so period's going to need to make that adjustment down and be able to keep that weight back.

We mentioned this is the fourth meeting between these two squads, the first two little offensive slugfest.

Gravett won the first one on April the 18th by a score of 5 to 4.

Then just ten days later they won 8 to 5.

But back on May six, in the regional tournaments, that was a three nothing victory for Gravett.

So on the season in series three, oh, but this one's the only one that matters because you win this one.

They give you a fancy ring.

Bobby As we know, funny things happen in the postseason.

Carli Cooper, the catcher that was up and in, has a duck out of the way of that one matrix style, although I may be showing my age there without reference.

We haven't seen the pitchers really come in a lot over the first three softball championship games over the weekends here.

The lost art of the inside corner, two outs here in the top of the first that's killed out trying to put a clean inning together to melt the squads.

We're in the dark uniforms today.

Gravett black with the orange trim.

I guess you'd call that charcoal for Pea Ridge.

All that charcoal, maybe anthracite to get the Arkansas natives really riled up because they love the anthracite here right now.

Anthracite in the red that went up in in and draws a walk this Cooper so the first runner on for the lady Black Hawks patient at bat by Cooper drawing a four pitch walk did not expand the zone which is what Kilduff was going to really try and work to do inside, especially early on, going up against Pea Ridge.

As a pitcher, you are always trying to work to see where you can get the opposing hitters to expand the zone and then attack that specific part as you continue to move through the order.

Just 28 innings of work on the season, four killed on 21 walks issued.

So that could be an issue, something we've got to pay attention to for the young pitcher for grab it the courtesy runner for Pete Ridge comes on and we'll get her name to you in just a second.

That brings up Amory Bolan for Pete Ridge, the cleanup hitter for two average on the season, sells off the first pitch.

Bolan trying to help her own cause here early on.

It's going to be so crucial for periods to go after good strikes.

We just saw in the two a game where baserunners were at a premium and sometimes that first pitch of the bat was the best one that you're going to see.

And that holds true no matter what classification.

If it's a good pitch near the zone, your best chances to attack it early.

That's Blakely Leach.

At first, she's the courtesy runner for the catcher Cooper lifted left side that's got a little carry to it but camped underneath it is Guerrieri She makes the play.

We're short of the fence for the third out of the inning, so the two out walk is stranded in first.

We're through half an inning of play.

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We're back here in the Arkansas PBS Centennial State Softball Championship game between Ridge and Granite.

Bottom of the first coming up.

And now we've got our first look at sophomore pitcher Emily Boland.

We talked about her in the pre game 17 and eight overall on the season.

But these numbers are just crazy to fathom.

163 innings pitched this year, 19 earned runs right hander Emily Bowling going to have a velocity that sits in the low sixes.

So going to be bringing it in at a fairly high pace curve.

Screw rise, social work, east west change the I love going up in the zone and then the changeup.

And that's the key for a pitcher that has a really nice velocity is to be able to mix in that changeup to keep opposing hitters honest.

And you see that reflected in her numbers considering the fact that in 163 innings Bowling has been able to strike out 269 batters, 269 strikeouts compared to just 30 walks for bowling this year, she misses high.

That is a strikeout to walk ratio of 9 to 1 that'll get the job done.

It's better than a montana foul to a Valerie Cable that you're seeing at the collegiate level and just the sophomore three person games on the season as bowling is that one comes across Denise she has two of the best performances in state history already she's number two in the state in strikeouts in a game at 22, of course, that one went two extra innings and then she had a perfect game this year, perfect as far as strikeout struck out all 21 batters.

And is Emory Bowl the right hander there for Pete Rich?

It feels like today is going to be the day of strikeouts considering we saw 34 combined in the first game as Brynn roll mind for grab at the shortstop fouls that one away and we're even up at two a piece in the count so nice idea there by ramyun ball top of the zone as she's moving through the box keeping that hands high trying to really drive that ball into the turf for 94 average for Brynn 15 RBI 22 stolen bases.

So she's a problem once she gets on the pass that when chopped right back to the pitcher Bolen fields the position well makes the easy throw first out of the inning like like the decision there to work in the change up to remain an aggressive batter as she's moving through the box the change up forces her to have to adjust to the speed.

There is a batting order for Gravett and Chilton, Elsa Pembleton.

Coming up next, everybody gets on the got Greer, BURNETT, Louden, Madison and all set Rabbit batting order one down here in the bottom of the first Moreland misses up and away with that one So when you've got a pitcher he know this is going to attack the strike zone like that rarely walks hitters she's only hit four batters this year so only 34 free passes issued out.

He's got to be aggressive at the plate right You have to be aggressive.

You have to go your good pitches.

That is the key, though.

If you're going to be aggressive in attack, it has to be on pitches that are close because otherwise your aggressiveness is going to work against you and you start swinging at balls that are out of the zone.

Take a look at the P Ridge defenses.

That was Hope conquer who made the strong throw from her shortstop position the pair of sisters on the left side There I see the conquerors Wharton and McGuire make up the right fight, right side of the infield, early, wily and short across the outfield and of course, the battery of Bull and Cooper, the pitcher catcher combination for P Ridge two down here.

Bottom of the first and that one going to be top inside corner called for a strike Kelly Elsa at the plate for gravett for 53 average 24 RBI and four home runs for the lady lions.

That one right back at the middle, right at the pitcher.

But Bolen able to recover and gets that one nicely and a quick 123 is all three ball stayed on the infield and that's exactly what you draw up if you're Emory bowling in this ridge defense.

So through three batters apiece, we are scoreless You're watching the Centennial big state softball championship on Arkansas.

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Top of the seconds between these two northwest Arkansas rivals meeting in central Arkansas.

Gravity Ridge is zero zero after one.

You take a look at these two pitching lineups.

You probably don't expect a lot of runs, even though there was production in the first three meetings between these two squads.

25 combined runs in those three games.

The biggest question for periods is are they going to be able to get two killed all early?

A pitcher that doesn't have a lot of experience on the year in terms of innings pitched doesn't have the experience in these bigger moments.

Still only a sophomore.

So if the lady Blackhawks can get two killed early, they're going to give themselves a little bit of cushion here.

And it's one of the reasons why it's so surprising that Gravett decided to go with killed all in this situation.

Rebecca Canchola at the plate 307 average for extra base hits 22 RBI.

One thing that really jumped out to me when looking at the Pirates lineup is the number of walks that they have drawn over 100 walks drawn as a team.

Five or five players have 13 drawn walks or more in the 30 contest, so they've got some patience at the plate.

Any time that you can draw walks in those numbers, you're doing something right at the plate because it means not only are you able to identify the pitch out of the hand, but then you're also able to identify where in the zone it is one one pitch right on the inside corner, and she swings through it does Canchola She's down one two in the hole two killed off is a nice late breaking movement there by Kilgore running in on the hands of Koffler.

This is the fourth of six softball championships to be played here at Ferris Field, the University of Central Arkansas, the 385 title games coming up tomorrow.

That one's lifted to the left side of the left fielder gives a little ground.

Paige Greer has been busy out there in left field, but her third put out is easily recorded.

Well, the reason why you've already seen three fly outs to left field is because on that drop, all right, now peerage is just out a little bit in front of it.

They're not letting it tail out of the zone.

Look away.

The contact point is there and the weight transfer is out on the front foot as a batter.

When you're trying to hit a drop ball, you either need to move up in the box to catch it before it breaks or an established that is going to be out of the zone and let it go in.

Grace McGuire, the first baseman now steps in 313 batting average, seven doubles, two homers this year.

She's committed to play at a pleasure college there in Springdale for LSU.

Depending on who you ask how you pronounce it, I am deferring to you as the expert, but that's why I said it both ways.

One on the right.

I went up and out of the zone, filled all settled in nicely.

Really haven't the nerves that you kind of expect to see in a state championship game hasn't affected either one of these teams?

Yeah, he's one of these pitchers up to this point.

Both squads looking for their first ever softball championship grab, making their first ever appearance in the title game.

Pirates back for the second time in three seasons and down to the end so quickly three and O's the count to Maghera and you got to think the red flags out here know green light as a batter especially early on in this game when you're still trying to establish yourself in the box, make the opposing pitcher throw strikes, and don't take the bat off your shoulder until she can.

Wow.

And right down the middle, no signs of even attempting to swing at that one from Maghera again has drawn 13 walks this year.

So she has some patients at the plate.

Was killed on Pembleton looking into the dugout for the signal that went a little elevated in the zone she gets just underneath.

It's enough room for the catcher.

No nice catch though, in the front row.

He doesn't need a glove.

No, it's a nice shades on to use for anything.

It's this 5 seconds of fame.

Well done.

We'll get another five here.

Jacks it all the way in.

Always squeezes the elbows at the end of the catch.

That's the way to hold off.

I don't know if he gets a snow cone for returning.

That's the first base dugout, but he should smokin.

It sounds good.

I haven't had one of those in years.

With the humidity we have today in Conway, they may be needed full count.

That one again popped up again, back behind the catcher again.

How to play coming right at you McGwire is timing is right on as a hitter when you're fouling that ball directly back behind you you have timed it well.

Now it's just a matter of being able to square it up.

And don't forget, the difference between a pop up and a homerun is just an eighth of an inch in.

So it's just a little fraction of a difference in the barrel angle in the plane as it's coming through the zone.

We're looking to bat here from Maghera, another payoff pitch coming out.

We're left not too much.

The plate ropes, the left side, but just foul.

McGwire is all on top of that one.

We're just out in front, just a bit too much and lands about don't about nine inches left that ever important fare line and really nice swing here by McGarry you can see how well she barrels off the bat nice long follow through as well just ever so slightly out in front easy let the ball travel maybe just a half second More deeper into the zone.

The change speeds their way in front, but does a nice job of keeping the bat alive.

No surprise on a changeup any time as a hitter when you yank one out to the side or you pull it, you're going to see another speed and you see the adjustment.

There.

Is McGarry way out on the front foot, able to just do enough to throw it away.

So good battle brewing.

The friend killed Al and Maghera again.

They all pitch that one down to the end.

And Maghera wants to win out the Maghera earned that walk.

That's a really good at bat.

Battled inside the box, fouled off a couple of good pitches and then the patience to not expand the zone earn that one out walk so the one out walk.

And now the second free pass issued by Kildare in this contest that one dies down and is going to bring up Ashlie early 333 hitter 15 RB eyes this one lifted on the lawns out in front of that 1a2 players collide with the shortstop in her own mind makes the catch she collided with Greer Great job by the shortstop to hang on to that pop fly.

Really nice job by Romaine to be able to hold onto that ball.

A lot of times in a collision like this, you'll see that ball pop free roaming going back.

There has got to be some better communication there, though, because that can be a situation where players can get injured as a left fielder, that is your ball typically coming in, but a really nice job.

Zero mind as you see the turf roughing her up a little bit, being able to hold on to that ball just because we need a dodge ball reference still makes me bleed my own blood.

So you can dodge wrench, you can dodge ball.

All right.

And a great catch there by Roman and brings up Abigail Rodgers now with two outs and a runner on first I think you and I should maybe stop making movie references because we are just shifting to hurry.

Rogers Just a 170 batting average, but a409 on base percentage.

She's a team high 17 walks drawn as they check on the runner at first and she's back easily.

Sometimes you can get lost in the numbers on the stat sheet.

So okay 170 batting average, this is going to be relatively easy out of that 409 batting on base percentage.

So it's a whole different story.

Right on base percentage and number, you and I talked about this yesterday.

For me, it's the better indicator of what you're able to do inside the box.

That one is dyes in the crosses, the front of the plate, little load.

Nice job.

The layoff by Rodgers and good adjustment inside the box.

That's the drop all the peerage has been swinging at up until this point.

A good adjustment to let it stay low and out of the zone so Sydney killed while trying to get out of this second inning frame.

That one flared off to the right side out of play.

Both base runners in this contest for him in free passes.

So looking for a first base hit of the contest.

But if you're period you have to be happy with the fact that you've been able to work theirself walks because the lady Blackhawks, they're going to need baserunners especially considering when you look at the previous three games that they've played against Granite, swinging the basket makes him climb the ladder and that's going to do it for the top after the second.

So for the second straight inning periods, he gets a runner on via the walk.

They can't move him around.

So through one and a half where it's still scoreless.

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But Kelsey Pemberton will try to change that here in the bottom of the second.

ALLEN Right down the middle for strike one.

Pemberton two home runs, eight doubles, four triples on the season 14 extra base hits for the Gravett catcher that one listed on a straight to center field.

And Haley Wylie's camped underneath it and makes the play a one down here in the second.

Both teams coming out so far with an aggressive approach at the plate.

They are going after pitches that are close in the zone penalty in this one, a little bit elevated, just gets underneath it enough to lift it out to shallow center field.

Wiley there in waiting and this one feels like defense going to be very important today because right now both Ridge and Gravett putting a lot of balls in play far cry from what we saw in the first contest today.

We saw 34 combined strikeouts.

Here's the pitcher Kilduff steps in takes strike one.

I think we've already seen more balls to play this game than we did all of the first game.

You may be correct there.

A good look at today's umpiring crew.

Ronnie Geiger at home, Jim Mosher at first and Stephanie Thomas down at third, one left and right side.

And that looks like it's, oh, almost a play made there by the backstop it's Cooper Kenton could not get over in time You got to like the effort though.

Maul falls harmlessly to the purple turf and there's an all synthetic playing surface here at Fairfield, U.S.A.

So weather conditions not going to be a problem.

Mom, you're happy to want to watch the uniforms for dad Allen chopped out towards short last play and throw there by hope Conklin and quickly to her down.

Yeah I like the pace that the T Ridge pitcher Emily Bolen and her defense is playing out in the first inning in two thirds Paula looking very comfortable inside the box.

That's a good contact point by Kilgore Just in front of the front hip hit it right at Colin Conklin sharply but peerages defense, looking very comfortable right now, playing behind and Paige Greer now looks at the strike to start her at bats career for 71 average in the six hole for this private lineup swings and misses that one that might have been off the plate now she's quickly down oh two off the plate in off speed, just a little bit taken off there by Bolen.

Just to change things up a little bit.

But as Ridge knows, there is no let up in this Lady Lions offense.

1 to 9 they can all hit go to pitch climbs a ladder they said she could not check her swing so she goes down six up six down Now for the lady lion offense we're through to the 40 championship game and we're scoreless.

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Quickly on to the third inning here in the 40 state championship game between Gravett and Pea Ridge.

Just not much work in as far as either offense is concerned.

Making quick work of each other's offenses are killed out and bowling in at the circle.

Pete Rich as the only two base runners in the contest so far, they drew a walk in the first three, one in the second could not advance the runner either time.

So now the nine hole hitter and Haley Wiley, the leadoff top half of the third, she looks at one just off the plate in the outside corner, Wiley hitting three oh for 17 RBI and 14 walks drawn.

So there's production up and down this lineup for Pete Ridge.

I mentioned just the nine home runs as a team, so we've got to manufacture runs somehow to get to that 20 and ten overall record that's getting on, getting them over it, cut their by while he fouls one away and even up to count at one and one.

A lot of times coaches will like to have that nine hole hitter Beal lead off in like you in the if you have to get out of the inning when it comes up with the eight batters the last out because the nine spot hitter has a lot of characteristics and they're similar to the leadoff hitter and so they can function in this situation as a second lead.

Well excuse me swing there and dribbler back to the pitcher and killed all makes the easy flip to first base one three if you're scoring at home and I know a few of you are and it's been a mix of our fly ups to left field and a little checks swing and while it just gets a little bit crossed off doesn't want to go after the drop ball but can't hold herself up enough results in a really easy ground out killed all over the first well in time for the first out so that does roll the batting order back to the top four.

Pete Ridge and warden, she slide out to left to lead off the contest.

That went well inside and skips to the backstop.

You see players like Ward and others kind of score up the bunt before the pitcher even starts the delivery.

Obviously, they're not drying them up.

What's that do as as a mentality standpoint, as a hitter, as a hitter, what you're trying to do when you square up and then pull the bat back is it shortens your swing or is supposed to, as you take another look, trying to get out of the way of a it's a little attitude as well.

Little teams that know each other as well.

There's always a little bit of attitude that goes into it, but it's partially a mentality, too.

When you're squaring the bite, you're trying to throw the pitcher out of her routine.

Typically, you see that from lefties a lot, though, where they'll square and they pull it about three quarters of the way back on faster pitchers to shorten the swing.

This philosophy here from Wharton is completely trying to work into the head of killed, all because she's calling them out all the way back and then taking a full swing board in the head.

An account too old.

Looks like she might have been taken all the way there.

And that one just out of the zone and now killed all behind in account three.

You know, really patient at bat here from Wharton in an adjustment from her first at bat where she swung at the second pitch and flew out to shallow left field.

Kildow has walked the batter in each of the two frames.

Up to this point, and that one ran across at the knees to extend this at bat.

The crowd on hands here at Ferris Field and Conway and a lot of people made the drive for Northwest Arkansas.

That one fouled away.

She battles all the way back, just killed all the fill up to count aggressive take there from Gordon probably a little bit overaggressive That ball was a rise ball up out of the zone but the rise balls as we know they're so good some of the hardest pitches the lay off of because they look like meatballs coming out of the hand.

And then by the time you swing, they're up over your shoulders or these batting average almost at 500, the tech under at 495 coming into today's championship game, that one listed high in left field.

And again, Greer being put to work and again she camps under it and makes the play so twice now Warden stepped into the batter's box and twice she slot out to left different pitch for the same result a pitch up in the zone right around the letters.

Look at the contact point again.

It's going to be right around here.

It says P reg.

You can see how high that ball is up in the zone.

Gordon Just gets the hands underneath it a bit.

If you're going to go out to the rise balls as a batter, you need to make the adjustments to keep your hands that much higher and try and drive through the bottom to the center part of that ball.

That's for put outs already for Paige Greer, the left fielder for the Lady Lions.

And that doesn't even include the collision she made with her shortstop, Roman, who ranged out to catch one in shallow left, typically don't see seven put out to the left fielder, An entire Ford to this left fielder an entire game tries to lay down a bunch, does hope conquer her but that one's going to roll foul like the idea of trying to get a base runner on with two outs.

Good idea by Concord trying to use her speed.

The one thing about the turf infield is the ball does tend to bounce and spin a little bit more.

It's not like dirt, especially when that dirt is soft where sometimes you can catch that ball.

It is just going to die right there in front of the plate.

That backspin doesn't have anything to catch on to.

But what that does, it's kind of like a wheel hit wedge and it's going to spiral back.

Not my wedge, but I was going to say I trust you because I don't hit golf balls very well, Counselor.

To where is that?

Once she picks up a free pass with the hit by pitch.

And so now Pete Ridge has another runner on base, right?

Third base runner still hits, though, for the lady Blackhawks.

That brings up the catcher, Carlie Cooper, a little more side number one thing peerages doing right now as they are seeing a lot of pitches out of the hand of Sydney killed ball and it's going to pay dividends in the long run because as a batter, the more pitches that you can see, the more you make the opposing pitcher work.

Two things happen.

One, she's going to get a little bit tired and two, as a batter, you're going to be able to see all the pitches that she has in her arsenal.

Cooper takes that one up and then she gets ahead in the count.

She's walked in.

Her first plate appearance today, 404 average, 25 RBI killed balls, Changeups doesn't quite get there.

So now getting behind in the count is the gravity pitcher, too.

And, oh, it's a dangerous place to be.

Even with two outs here in the top of the third inning.

Any time as a pitcher that you're behind in the count, you're going to be forced to bring something a little bit better across the plate.

And if I'm Cooper, I'm looking for something good to try and attack here.

So to know is the count to Cooper and Rory Boland would be next one right down the heart of the plate.

And you got to believe Cooper was taken all the way because that was likely the best pitch she's going to see all day.

And definitely taking all the way.

I would have liked to see some more aggressiveness there because that was a really good pitch to hit right down the center of the plate.

Bobby I think you're right.

Probably one of the better ones that she's going to see in this about Cam tailed in on her hands.

It's not a lot of the plate, though.

So two one, this one lifted the left side and gets well out of play.

Over to the third base dugout evens up the count a two and two.

So a nice job killed out of battle back and evens up the count and two apiece get off showing a lot of maturity inside the circle, especially for a sophomore who hasn't pitched a lot of innings this year, really looks unfazed inside the circle, even in these two counts falling behind to it.

Oh, she is really battling back and working off the rubber.

If you want to feel bad about yourself, if you're for a softball team, both starting pitchers and for that championship game today are sophomores now and fouled away against the back screen.

So Pete raise and grab it.

Well, I'm not going to say you can book your trip to Conway for the next couple of seasons, but it's certainly going to be in the conversation and definitely a building block because anytime that you can have sophomore pitchers that can get you to a state championship, you are setting yourself up for success for the next two years to come.

Cooper and Kildow battling hair tutus account score this game top of the third.

That one's popped up again quickly Out of her stance was the catcher Pendleton.

But that went out of play.

Sometimes it might be difficult to figure out who's who here and no gravity here in the black t ridge.

We're in the anthracite and the orange and the reds are fairly similar.

At least if you don't zoom in real close, just take my word for it.

Gravity pitch.

It looks like Arkansas, Oklahoma State going head to head.

It's into that one line, the left side, just foul.

Nice job there by Cooper to kind of inside out swing that one down that left field line but couldn't drop it inside the foul line.

It looked good coming off the bat, sliced it out to left field.

It just gets a little bit out in front, a little bit underneath.

That's what causes that slicing action.

That's more of a golf swing as well.

That little kind of a hook shot or not a hook shot.

That's twice as I took my shot, but it looked good coming off the bat.

Just couldn't quite keep it fair.

Slices away from the body.

Whoops, a cross.

I should know.

I do it enough the two to line right side and this was off.

The glove is going to get down to the no man's land there in right field.

Cooper's in 2 seconds conquer all the way to third.

Now.

Troubles really brewing as Perry has to in scoring position with two out here and a third really good about there by Cooper fouled off a ton of pitches until she got one that was on the lower inner half that she could go after Look at this swing out in front just rips it down the first base line kind of a tough hop over there for Madison catches it in between where that ball is coming up and where her glove is.

And now Pea Ridge with a chance to get things going offensively here in the top of the third inning, two on two out.

Well, that brings up Emery Bolen.

She's got a new runner at second base.

We're going to have a little conference on the mound for Gravett.

And you mentioned Drew Madison.

Just couldn't couldn't get over there just in time.

Is that one ticked off her glove and down the right field line?

And Bobby, I know it's early in this game, but it feels like a big moment here in the top of the third inning.

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So the first rally of the contest courtesy of Pete Ridge here runners in second and third with two out brings up Bolen the ever dangerous pitcher hitter combo 402 average 29 RBI is on the season which is blue that is second most on the team towards 34 since that one left side and the long throw by a shortstop does not get there in time.

So the RBI single from Bolen gives the Lady Blackhawks the first lead of the contest, first pitch hunting from Emery Bolen, and she's rewarded with the ball.

It's in the center of the plate.

She's out in front of it a little bit, but barrels it up just enough to pull it into the five six hole.

So really good job by Romaine over at shortstop.

You see the contact point?

They're right on top of it.

It's a long throw for Romaine collects herself.

It's a strong throw, but just not in time.

Bolen able to beat it out by just about half a step in Pea Ridge continues to hammer away a Corvette, and they're rewarded with the first run.

That was a bang bang play there.

At first base as a courtesy runner comes in for the pitcher.

Bolen That's a really long throws a good strong throw for line from grab it just not there and Pete Ridge gets the benefit of the first big call this contest and they take a one nothing lead.

Rebecca Conklin steps up to third base and flat out to left a previous at bat looking to add to her 22 RBI total as she looks at strike one, the most important thing for her killed all in her event here is to make sure that they put that run behind them.

One run with the way that Corvette is able to score runs is not that big of a deal, but you have to be able to stop the bleeding and get out of this inning before it starts to snowball.

You killed all this pitch, swung out up and out of the zone.

So she's now quickly ahead.

Oh, and two, trying to get grab it out of this inning.

The conquerer stands in the way runners on the corners now for the lady Blackhawks.

And this is the fourth meeting between these two teams.

All three went to the lady Lions is not going to care if they can find a way to win this 102 up and out of the zone.

So good.

Look at you courtesy runner over at first.

So one and twos to count.

So Rebecca Conklin this one listed again back into the fans top the press box right where we're at Pendleton's been busy behind the plate.

She's giving chase each and every time.

I really like the effort as a catcher.

Sometimes you already know that that balls are already out, but she's been getting up and going after them anyway.

A pitch count starting to climb up evermore.

Four killed off really good at bats here for Peat Ridge making the granite pitcher work when I love this I like the idea though maybe try to get our chase to somebody foul fouled off sometimes she's got her ultimate swing mode that time she doesn't take the bait B Ridge has been pretty aggressive in there at bats and killed while trying to use that against them trying to get Conklin to expand the zone but nice patience here inside the box making filled out work in the two to give Adams up and out of the zone and that's going to put the runner over at first base in motion the full count is Madison Nights the runner over at first.

So she'll go on first chance, of course, in softball.

You got to wait till the pitcher delivers the soft ball out of her hands before you can take off.

Swing and a miss Big strike out there for Kildow and ends the inning for grab it, but not before Pete Ridge pushes across one Amory Baldwin's RBI single and gives the Lady Blackhawks a one nothing lead.

Grab it.

Trying to respond as we come back to the bottom of the third.

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Pete Ridge.

Take it on, grab it, Lady Blackhawks.

This struck first an RBI infield single from Emory Bolen has the Lady Blackhawks on front now the pitcher try to make that lead hold up first pitch swinging though, for grab.

It's going to be the first base hit for the lady Lions.

Trinity BURNETT finds the gap out in right center field.

She's got two after the ball out near the fence.

She's going for third ball, gets away.

And now standing on third base is Trinity BURNETT.

That was a huge response to this.

Grab it off.

It took the words right out of my mouth because that is the response that Gravett needed after giving up the run in the top half of the third inning.

BURNETT Coming up with a plan of attack the ball on the outer part of the plate, it's an aggressive swing.

Look at the contact point.

You can see her eyes watching that all the way until it makes contact with the bat, slices it out to right center field.

And also, I like the aggressive baserunning here because as soon as Boone recognized that ball was bobbled, she was thinking third all the way.

Make the defense make a play so runner at third.

No time wasted here.

This one loose and high to left field, left fielder's.

Try again.

This one is gone to run Homer for Bentley loud just like that two pitches into the third inning the lady lions take the lead that escalated quickly.

How fast can this game change?

In a matter of two pitches periods goes from being up one two down at 2 to 1 off the two run home run into the bullpen off the bat of Bentley loud and a ball in the center of the plate loud and absolutely turns on it.

Watch where this pitch is.

It is right down the Hart Belt High, loud and all over it, and knew it as soon as it left, the barrel fell out and actually might have gotten under that one just a little bit.

That was a no doubt or though a two run homer for the designated player and two pitches into this third inning, a triple and a home run and it back out in front, right in front for the first time, I should say, 2 to 1.

I think that swing is the exact epitome of what they talk about when they talk about launching a baby.

Yeah, no doubt about that.

Now, Drew Madison steps into the box trying to add to this already productive innings.

She takes a look at strike one on the inside corner.

Bolen just a sophomore in the circle.

We talked about the use on both of these sides.

And so for bowling, very important to see how she responds in this moment.

And for both of these pitchers, these are meaningful repetitions.

Obviously, you want to come away with a state championship.

That's what both Pine Ridge and Gravett or are here for.

But both of these pitchers are going to learn from this opportunity that's going to pay dividends over the next two seasons, one, two pitch, little change up.

And well out in front of that one is Madison.

So we'll have to reset and do it again.

Good adjustment there for Madison, recognizing that it was a changeup out of the hand, kept the weight back still in front of it just a little bit, but able to make really solid contact, pulling it down the left your mind.

So after being retired the first six at bats in this contest, gravity's really starting to put together some good swings again that was a road foul down the left field line.

Well, I'm trying to work in that off speed.

After giving up the home runs allowed and trying to keep gravett off balance, keep them honest at the plate with the focus.

Just trying to kill that one fair.

Not enough to get and inside that left field line, the bottom of the third here in the fourth a title game in fouled away really good at bats here from Madison Madison all over these pitches in the adjustment to the off speed that one coming right back in on the hands be able to speed up the bat that's the sign of a really quality at bat and walked in hit her bottom third in the lineup already doing the damage for the lady lions a triple in a homer here in the third and now Drew Madison putting together a really good at bat as she calls time and steps out to regroup.

Bobby, you and I mentioned it's a gantlet to get through this Lady Lions lineup.

There is no letup.

That's a lot of L's in that sense.

Not many L's on their record, though, 22 and two is that once lifted a left side that was also going to be foul.

The only two losses all season for Gravett came to six AA competition, so they have not lost to anyone their size.

I'm trying to pick on the bigger schools.

Any time you're only two losses in a season, come to Bentonville, Bentonville, West.

That really says something about the type of quality team that you have.

The one two pitch from Oakland.

I went well up and out of the zone.

Madison off guard evens up the count a two piece that was a confident at bat for Madison as well.

She's looked confident in her swing.

She hasn't been caught guessing to that one left in left field over is a left fielder makes the catch there Nice running catch made out left by Ashley early that's a much needed first out of this third inning Yeah huge out for P ridge coming after the triple and the home to be able to track down that ball from early This is a well-struck ball for Madison drives it out into the left centerfield gap early makes a good read on it takes a good angle able to that ball down and especially considering how hard the last three balls have been hit.

Really important to be able to record the first out.

So the five of the first six hitters in the contest for Gravett retired the infield, but now we've seen a triple A homer and a hard hit ball to left field.

So maybe figuring something out against bowling.

That one though, grinded to short Oh mine it's retired again six three on the put out and now there are two down here in the third time sorry Conklin making a good defensive adjustment at shortstop she was playing baseline depth to protect against the speed of bromide.

It's a good idea for my mind.

Just a little touch.

Slap the counselor right there to make the strong go over the first period is is doing things right as far as the top of the lineup, keeping all mind off the base base I mentioned she has 22 stolen bases.

The best way to keep her from stealing a base runner on first pitch.

Easier said than done.

But Bobbie, to your point, you're right.

Typically you would take a look at the bottom of the lineup and say at the bottom of the lineup is going to beat me.

That's where I want to have them beat me.

Not your best hitters at the top two misses off the edge of the plate.

Blaney Chilton steps in.

She grounded out to short her first time up for 81 average 43 RBI and 24 contest by the chase went off the side of the plate there that was lifted in the well and great catch by Ashland.

She comes in diving and making the play and screaming.

Let's go.

That's my short.

A really nice play there.

My short that ends the frame.

Take another look at it is Ashland Short makes a sports center top ten nominee kind of play we're through three periods trailing Gravett 2 to 1.

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So we're through three and it's for a championship game.

Gravett has struck back.

So score two runs there thanks to the two run blast from Bentley, Louden and they lead rival Pennridge 2 to 1.

The Lady Blackhawks going to try to get back into this is Rebecca Canchola going to lead things off and up and out of the zone.

So it's going to be Counselor McGarry and Early there's five, six and seven for the Lady Blackhawks.

Kelsey cut there with just underneath it.

So now you've got a two run lead correction.

Sorry, this is Grace Maghera So you've got a two run lead Now.

What's the what do you think the approach for for this gravett pitching staff and field all should be to take that back as they grab is now change pitchers as well.

That's up and out of the zone.

So now we're finally getting our first look at Brooke handle.

We'll kind of question why she wasn't starting the game comes in throws a little bit harder does handle 106 innings pitched the season so that was our guess as to why the Lady Lions and Samantha Walker were going with this philosophy try to working killed out early one time through the lineup.

See what she could do if she could keep Ridge off balance and then bring in to handle the throws a little bit harder and a different style as you see that late break spin, that's a curveball that's moving out across the plate away from right handed batters and handle also a little bit more pitch to contact not necessarily high volume strikeout does have 99 k's on the year so almost one strikeout bringing 100 strikeouts and those 106 innings, 99 to be exact two counts.

Allen's popped up on the infield over the left side, called for by the third baseman and she makes the play those Lainey Chilton for the first out of the inning.

But maybe to your point you talking about the approach it's still a21 game as you take another look as well.

Elevated in the zone just underneath it as McGuire ends up resulting in a pop out but period was able to score their won by being aggressive early in the count.

I don't think you go away from that at this point in the game you need baserunners and so if handle brings that ball near the plate, go after it.

Don't expand the zone.

But the Blackhawks have also shown a willingness to take walks.

So I would make Campbell work a little bit here.

Coming in off of the bench handle.

This has 52 walks and one her 106 innings pitched, really asking the story about around handle.

Of course, obviously a different approach and you know so much about your opponent that one's up and out of the zone to get this handle broke her job earlier in the season the ball bunted well the game against Fayetteville.

Her catcher Pembleton goes to throw the ball to first base.

The pitcher's face just happens to be on the way in, breaks her jaw on two points and she has had her jaw wired shut for over a month now.

Oh, you're you're burying the lead on that story, Bobby, because not only has her job in Wired shot for over a month, but he intellectually finished the game because she told Coach Luther that she was fine.

Exactly right.

Not quite so much when it's broken in two places.

She came back the next game after having the surgery is that one is over.

First strike and pitched in the catcher's mask just for the extra coverage and across the face.

That is ultimate toughness.

Some would say she's a hockey player, some being me in go.

That's how it misses, though.

So the walk issued to Ashley early and Pete Ridge has a potential tying run at first it's a good at bat by early going up against handle patient inside the box making the handle work a little bit and it's the bottom part of the the ridge line up as well that's had some traction here early on in this game.

Abigail Rodgers now stepping to the plate for Pete Ridge 409 on base percentage.

She squeezed a bunt, pops it up behind Pendleton, can't get out of her stance and make a play quick enough to handle now ahead in the count 120 and one.

The key to sacrifice bunting is all about the barrel control, keeping the barrel level and on top of the ball.

If you drop the barrel, that's when you start to see those pop ups that go behind the catcher are easy pop ups on the infield.

Rogers again tries to get one down again, pops it up back to the screen.

So now she's down oh two.

And I have to change the approach here.

You try to get one down with two strikes here.

I never liked the idea of bunting with two strikes unless it's an absolute must situation because there's just too much at stake at the ode to go ahead and you take the bunt off, try and swing away, put the ball to the right side of the field if you can do that.

Functions very similar to a sacrifice without having to lay down and bunt.

So handle ahead in the count oh two.

I would also right side of the plate check back on the runner at first the early and she's back plenty of time.

It's the second time Pendleton's made that throw back down to first.

She's got a nice quick snap as well.

She's really trying to catch periods sleeping rabbit hanging on to a21 lead here in the championship.

I went up and out of the zone even to count a two apiece.

If Ridge wanted to be aggressive on the base.

Cousin I'm not saying that they want to necessarily in this situation in the two to count, but trying to pick up a change up is the best way to do it because the offspeed is going to take more time to get to the plate and the catcher, it's going to give you another second to get to second base chased one out of the zone there did Rogers and handle gets her first strike out big punch out there on two down handle climbing the ladder with the rise ball look at how that ball elevates up out of the zone Rogers just underneath it on the rise ball It's a really good decision and a nice pitch to finish off that bat at bat from handle.

So two away here in the fourth zip the wily extend the inning she grounded back to the pitcher in the third handle gets the signal from the dugout Pendleton sets up on the outside hits the target there really nice pitch on that corner Painting the outside corner is one of the best pitches that a pitcher can have because it is so difficult to hit.

It's really hard to be patient enough to let that ball travel.

I the 112 while it chases one up and out of the zone.

Now she's down on the count one and two period looking a little bit unsettled at the plate here in the top of the fourth inning, minus three walks or early.

The lady Blackhawks have been just a little bit anxious going up against handle.

Part of that's adjusting back to the velocity of the typical starter for the lady Lions, part of that's being down around side the press a little bit.

Nice job the lay back on that one the flares that went out to short line there to make the play and ends the inning So Pete Ridge leaves a runner on first and threw three and a half.

Gravity's got a21 lead and they're coming up.

Stick around.

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Lot of the fourth grab.

It's got a21 league looking to add to it as they come up against Emery bowl and the pitcher from Pete Ridge it's going to be 789 which doesn't sound like a lot but this is the part of the lineup they did all the damage in the last inning.

Trinity BURNETT led it off with triple and she steps into the box here.

She shows Gronk gets one down the left side.

Nice strong throw there by Rebecca Coughlin retires the leadoff man always important especially as you get later into the game to get the lead off runner out, one pitch, one out, solid fielding body.

You said this so many throughout the state championship.

Clean defense goes so far in terms of keeping you in games.

Yeah, I've got my lineup card, all kinds of messed up there.

So that was Kelly Elsa who grounded out to third and now Kelsey Pendleton, the catcher, the cleanup hitter.

Sometimes you can't run your own rider.

That happens to me alive.

He surprised that one line right back up the middle.

And Pendleton's got herself a single one out here in the fourth turn of English off of that ball.

Did you see the way it was spinning as it came right back up the center of the field that was off the handle and Pendleton just muscled it out over second base for a single.

So runner on first, now with one out here in the fourth and the pitcher's spot coming up, it's off her back up the middle.

And Mullen can't field it cleanly and everybody is going to be safe having just picked off the end of the glove for Bolen and not fast enough to get to the shortstop.

Now, runners on first and second with one outs and troubles brewing here for the Pete Ridge defense, those toppers are the most place for pitchers to make.

And you can see Bolen just doesn't get the glove all the way down onto the field a lot of times.

And bowling will get used to this as she continues to mature through the program.

PITCHERS, It's best to let those balls go.

Let your shortstop feel that.

So here's Paige Greer steps in and runners on first and second killed balls.

At first she just reached and then Pendleton's out of second right air given to the pitcher.

They're kind of a tough scoring chance.

But do you appear to agree with that call?

I do.

I always feel bad saying it when when, you know, errors are made.

But again, that's a ball that if you can range over and get your glove on, that's a play that probably have been made.

This one lifted straight up here.

Cooper loses the mask and cannot make the play.

That one, though, foul drops and foul territory so that one's blown dead.

Now, runners will have to return to their previous base, but a missed opportunity there for Pete Ridge to get a much needed second out.

That's a tough play to make for a catcher.

Cooper is trying to track down the ball and you can see her looking.

She's really trying to identify and when that ball is coming down on top of you, that's when need to really rely on your pitcher and your first baseman.

They communicate with you.

Bridge Actually, though, considering that ball, they would actually prefer to been in fair territory and allowed potential run down their butts grab it does a nice job of getting back you always get to keep your back to the field of play and the catcher there Cooper kind of got turned around and couldn't adjust enough to make the play now went up and I isn't going to be a free pass for Greer.

So now the bases are loaded for the Lady Lions.

There's a good look at what could have been a potential pickle, but nice job of getting back to second there by Pembleton.

And now a mound visit for Pete Ridge is for the second straight inning.

Gravity's got something going was the big ball last inning triple in a home run this time single a walk I think I see some trouble going on for Pete Rich and it feels like a big moment here in the bottom of the fourth inning because Gavin only has one out bases loaded.

This is a spot where the lady lions do a lot of damage.

So that's going to bring up, I believe, Trinity Bernard's number one.

She tripled in the number her first at bat came around the scoring, allowing Homer had a chance to really blow this game open and bases loaded and just one out here in the fourth first pitch swinging again.

That one's fouled out of play.

So.

BURNETT seen two pitches today and she swung at both on the bench and I like the aggressive approach especially considering that she tripled in her first at bat getting a pitch that was close to the zone bases loaded.

You're in the lead if you're gravett you have the opportunity to be a little bit aggressive here, especially because pitches defense is pulled in now and popped up again out of play behind and really important for ball in there to get ahead in the count Oh and two big pitch for Boland to be able to work herself ahead in the count now you give yourself options as a pitcher you're in control.

BURNETT has to hit Bowling's pitch, you know, to change speeds, able to stay back and get someone just fair.

This one's going to score at least two.

What a great piece of hitting again by Trinity BURNETT, a two run double and Gravett has blown this game open and leads it 4 to 1 great adjustment Inside the Box by Trinity BURNETT.

It's a changeup and she keeps her weight back, lets the ball and really get deep.

You have to be very patient on a change up to let the ball get to you.

You see how deep in her legs she gets hitting off of that back.

It just drives it down the left field line for the two RBI double the damage, nowhere near done as bitterly Lowden steps up to in scoring position.

And she's already got a two run homer today.

That changeup, though, catches the top of the zone.

Hello and didn't like it that matter She's down on one big pitch from bowling to get ahead in the count grab it Offense is certainly woken up here in the middle innings that one sent right back to the pitcher Bowa looks the runner back makes a strong throw the first of course the second now nice job there by the Reds defense to limit the damage and make the easy play Great job from Bolen inside the circle your primary job when you get a top back to the mound with a runner on third is you make sure you look the runner back as long as you can before making the throw over to first and then the decision by McGary not to throw the ball around the infield as you take another look.

BOLEN really looking the runner back strong, throw over to first, but Maghera not throwing the ball around.

The infield is the most important part for me because once you start throwing that ball around the infield batsmen errors can happen and things go back quickly.

So now two down, two in scoring position for Drew Madison, the first baseman, that's exactly sometimes that's what the runners want you to do, Right.

They kind of want you to try to make that throw, try to force you into a bad play and maybe pick up a cheap run.

As I'm watching that one catch the outside corner evens up the count.

I want to I used it all the time as a runner.

I tried to beat somebody in throwing at me.

I am one of those I was annoying to play against.

I will admit it, but A good thing you're not on the list.

Well, you.

At least you think so.

Yeah.

That one out of the zone two and one.

Now to Drew Madison Gravett scored two in the third, added on two more here in the fourth.

The lady Lions looking for their first ever state softball championship now and sent back to the shortstop Hope Concord got to make a strong throw not in time and that's going to score another run really off the end of the bat and didn't get to conquer is as fast as she would have liked and her throw just not in has Madison able to beat it out picks up the RBI on the infield single.

Now it's 51q short off the end of the bat.

Look at how this ball just kind of spins.

It dies on the infield.

Conklin has to adjust to it strong, throw over to first just not in time.

Madison runs well, and so the inning continues for the lady Lions.

So that's five runs in the last two innings here for Gravett they push their lead out to five one and Murray Bowl and in this period squad trying to get off the field or mine oh for two she's grounded out to the pitcher and also it that's a short fan ridge in the infield here I am making sure that I know that row my more than likely going to put this ball in play be ready Shelburne pulls it back and takes one out of the zone for 94 average for a roaming 15 RBI on the season chance to add to that total, she can get one through the infield.

That one also elevated when I check the swing.

She did not go around three.

Now the dangerous spot to a dangerous hitter remind fouls that went off now fills up the count 321 are in first going to be in motion.

I like the idea from bowling though going right back to the rise ball up at the zone, trying to get that easy pop out minus she's moving to the box second and third now full count now an outside the zone.

And that's when Oscar fills up the bases as the Roman trots down the first after and picking up the free pass that's going to bring out a lady.

Chilton You talked about her in the pre game.

This is not who you want to face with the bases loaded, 43 RBI is on the season, the most dominant hitter in this lineup as far as power numbers for Gravett tries the checker swinging that was fouled off to the right side.

Chilton was looking for a pinch to hunt.

There you could see how aggressive she was in the way that she went out for this ball.

Look at her stance.

It's a yes, yes, no approach.

She's going after that pitch until she decides it's not a strike.

Just couldn't get the barrel out of the way.

Swings through that was.

So she's down on the count oh two Really interesting note from coach Samantha Luther.

She struck out twice all season long.

So she's generally going to put the ball in play.

But she is out down oh two in the count now and skied right behind home plate And nice play there by Cooper and ends the threats as periods Liza excuse me grab it leads them loaded but they push three across and have it extended their lead five one.

We're through four innings of play in the four state championship game Gravett Looking for that first title.

You're watching the Centennial State Softball Championship on Arkansas PBS Sports this month on Arkansas PBS.

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As go back to the second inning.

This contest has been all about really good defense and timely hitting his range and grab it traded good defensive plays early on but the third inning that's where the scoring started Emery bowling singles left side counter came around to score the lady Blackhawks took a one nothing lead but back to back pitches Wow great diving catch their first but back to back pitches they're in the third and fourth innings really gave Gravett all the opportunity they needed a loud and two run homer double down the left field line that was BURNETT there and the most recent one an infield single beat out there by Drew Madison.

That's how we here it is, 5 to 1 Gravett leading rival, Pete Ridge, 5 to 1 here in the four championship game.

She was Doreen Crafton.

Bobby Swafford, thanks for tuning in to game four of six here at Ferris Field in Conway in the softball championship.

With that cue ball sent right back to the pitcher.

One pitch, one outs exactly what you draw up as far as a defensive standpoint concerns a speed out of the hand.

And Warren just a little bit out in front of it handle making the adjustment didn't throw a ton of offspeed when she first came in back in the fourth inning brought in an aggressive hitter used that against it's a really smart decision there to start off with the offspeed so that one is well out of the zone.

Here's hope counselor she popped out to third was hit by a pitch in the third she's underneath that one had a good look at it though it counts even all at one on one is really moving the ball up in the zone trying to get these pennridge hitters to swing underneath.

The ball is going to result in pop ups, swings and misses like you just saw again.

Tries to climb the ladder, can't catch up to it now.

Hope Conklin down in the count one and two early Start the crowd start to hear the crowd get into it a little more.

They each.

Time is running out for Pete Ridge just out of the strike zone.

Little high.

It's a good adjustment, though.

Pitch to pitch by Conklin because she had gone after the two previous pitches that were up in the zone.

Let that one go.

It's good luck to coach Josh Reynolds for Pete Ridge.

Fantastic job for the Lady Blackhawks program swings into Miss Strike three counter goes down swinging and now quickly two down here in the fifth handled quickly settling in after coming on in the fourth inning with Gravett with a21 lead and is really working ahead in the count.

She's giving yourself options, getting ahead early and then forcing periods to meet her for her best pitch brings up the catcher, Carlie Cooper, three hill hitter for Pete Ridge and catches just enough for plate.

COOPER Behind in the count Moreland would be next as Cooper can reach that just joining us this is the fourth meeting between gravett and P raids this season.

Gravett Serino gets the lady blackhawks out and called strike over the other third and was a good pitch on the outside corner.

Cooper left to go one of the better pitches that she's going to see during her at bat because handle's been really mixing well all the pitches, the signals coming in from the dugout for Gravett wondering what the catcher and pitcher are looking for.

Same speed there and gets it a roll on over to second base.

Easy flip there by Trinity Burnett's 1 to 3 goes down T Ridge and you start to feel that if Gravett has settled down in this contest lead, it's five four.

Try to add to it.

Coming up in the bottom of the fifth, you're watching the Centennial Bank state softball on Arkansas.

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Bottom of the fifth Gravett leads it by four and looking for more as they batted around in the inning, plated three more runs after taking the lead in the third two run shot by Loudon and started this offensive onslaught so keenly also.

Who led off the fourth one to lead off the fifth inning here for the lady lions have it have it really found their stroke at the plate in the bottom of third inning.

They did it with a combination of patient hitting and then going after balls that were close, multiple hits out into the outfield.

Lady Lions have really timed up bowling well, the third time through the order, and that one catches the outside corner.

So Bolen works to get ahead.

Oh, to Mrs. now one and two.

So you got to feel like this is a big inning for bowl and they've got to keep that deficit at for them.

That might be stating the obvious but the way that's gravitas been pitching in this contest was killed on now handle you feel like four maybe the number you got to keep it there otherwise the chances of winning a state championship to your feet Rachel have been slipping away.

Maybe a lot of things when it comes to softball.

A fairly obvious is there's a big strike out on the outside corner.

You see the reaction from pee rage.

They need some type of spark.

But I agree with you.

They have to find a way to keep this deficit at four, because if they continue to let it grow, it's going to be really difficult to come back.

But look at this screwball.

It's going to paint the outside corner.

Just freezes Elsie in her tracks.

That's a big pitch from a sophomore in a big situation just the second strikeout of the game, kind of surprisingly, after what we saw earlier today.

But for Boland and she's had great numbers all season long struck out 269 entering the contest.

It's a good look at coach Samantha Luther her second season at Gravett That's one shot foul and left side game grab Gravett looking for that first championship in school history.

Jack Both squads are just kind of seen both ends of the spectrum.

We saw Taylor win their sixth consecutive title yesterday and now we're looking for someone to win their first ever title.

Of course, Riverside won their first ever title earlier today in the two way title game at One Catches the Corner.

Newman's up two, count it two apiece.

But to your point, that's one of the things that makes high school sports so fun is because you can have the teams that have that type of dominance and it's fun to see how they continue to progress.

And then you got the other side of the spectrum where teams are winning their first and the joy that they feel so lifted high and deep to right field of plenty.

This played off the right field wall that's going to allow the runner to run all the way to second out of third and Templeton to see how they score that one.

That one might be a triple play.

Either way.

Rabbit's got a runner on third with just one out big triple off the bat of Kelsey Pendleton, the tough play for short out there in right field as she's trying to find the fence.

And remember the fence at Ferris Field, it plays differently depending on what part of the fence that it hits.

The bottom part of the fence is a little bit tighter, causes that ball to ricochet.

And so Pendleton getting a break on the ricochet brings it right back in all the way almost to second base as she gets all the way to third Pendleton awarded with a triple there.

That one goes off the base of the wall.

Now Kildow stands back in the plate looking for an RBI that is five one killed.

Also for two today, she grounded out to third back in the second inning.

This one lifted up right side now to play nice healthy hack though by killed all ball up in the zone gravett continuing to try in attack he talked about Ridge how important it is for them to keep it at a four run deficit as you see the swing just a little bit late but the lady lions they really want to try and add to this lead take complete control tonight.

Check the swing there goes around strike three and killed it all the second out of the inning.

So we believe this will be a big break for Pete Ridge if they can strand Hamilton at third after that one out triple.

But Paige Greer standing in the way.

She walked and came around the score in the fourth her peerage find spark any way you can get it and Bobby G good point It might be some big defensive play being able to get out of this inning.

You're down to your last couple of hours, but we've seen sparks throughout this tournament career quickly down oh to 471 average is going to take a little work She wants to continue this inning struck out back in the second Kyle RBI opportunity though for the left fielder for gravett that one sent right back up the middle to.

The shortstop arranging over is Canchola makes the strong throw the tires the side so the one out triple is stranded at third as Griffin can't push one across.

But we're three five.

The lady lions lead it 5 to 1.

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

PBS Sports.

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Face to face Runner is going to be so key for periods down to the last six out of their season.

The lady Blackhawks need to be patient inside the box as.

A hitter.

When you're in this situation, you feel the weight of your season coming to an end sometimes and you can tend to be a little overaggressive bridge going to need to fight against that instinct.

They've been out their best in the box today when they've been patient, been able to work a couple of walks, a hit by pitch.

That's what led to the run that they were able to score middle of the lineup for Pete Ridge.

They were able on the cleanup hitter her foil to average.

She fouls that one off in behind in the count quickly so bowling Conklin and Maghera coming up here in the 64p ridge right left and right side again out of play This is a great logo match of the two in the state of Arkansas.

Those people know me and they know I love a good logo.

Okay, When you've got custom logos like parades and Gravedigger, you don't just rehash the same logo like everybody else does in the world.

I appreciate you as a high school.

So who's got the best?

Oh, that's a good that's a good one.

I'm going to say praise and grab it for everybody watching right now.

You can tell me after if there's someone else I want sent to third but foul.

It's great mascots and some great logos across the state.

There's no doubt about it.

Well, then how about this?

What makes a great logo.

Unique.

This is key.

You know, don't rehash the same bulldog or the same eagle or the same falcon or panther that everybody else uses of the yellow jacket.

You have a little creativity.

Sometimes it costs a little money, you know, build the shelf a nice little brands for us, red bugs, red bugs, no doubt about it.

That was again, cute off the end of the bat race, the first base bag and it's won by Drew Madison for Gravett and of course, the first out of the inning as Bolen grounds out big out for Gravett here in the top of the sixth inning, going just a little bit out in front of it, the ball off the outer part of the plate, trying to do something for a team gets it off the end of the barrel.

Results in the easy Groundout Madison able to take it herself.

And if you are the lady lions right now as you continue to count down these outs, you start to count them in your mind down from six.

Just focus on playing clean defense.

Look at the batter inside the box, the handle and Hamilton get the signal from the dugout.

And that was fouled straight back by Rebecca Canchola, the third baseman for Pete Ridge conquers all for two on the day course you saw that line throw back slid halfway across It's halfway into it, not across run up and out of the zone and very open stands here for Concord.

But the difference is she may start that way.

But as handle is going into her motion conquer risk and then she's even but she's still really far up on that inside portion of the box, really trying to take away the inside corner.

A long one swung through healthy hack there from Conklin.

That really became a trend, at least in the pro level in baseball at the mid to late nineties that open stance and they claim they get both eyes on the pitcher catch the release point we're starting to see that a lot more this year across all levels of competition.

Chuck Knoblauch him like that.

Yeah I mean some of them are a little more exaggerated than more than others and the strike three he's swinging his counter ways of that one on the outside corner.

He is taking some really good cuts, but they're just not able to adjust to the break out of the hand of handling of handle rather.

She's doing a really nice job mixing speeds, mixing locations, and for a pitcher, location can be even more important than the velocity or the spin, because if you can locate your pitches, you can be successful.

Gracie McGarry now steps in.

She's so four one draw a walk back in the second one of their final four outs, R.P.

Ridge.

We've got to start to do a little damage offensively.

She handles pitch that one off the late moves, but their catch is the corner.

Again, it's just tuning in, but it's handle pitching for Gravett.

She's got her jaw wired shut after getting hit by a throw from her own catcher.

But she finished the game not today, but about a month ago.

Important distinction.

I swings to that one out down.

Oh, and two is McGuire handles being calm and cool since coming on back in the fourth inning.

Really commanded the zone.

Well she's been forcing porridge to go after pitches expanding the zone reacting to handles pitches she's been in control chased that one out of the zone and an easy flip over to first by the pitcher handling down goes to range 1 to 3 in the sixth Gravett just three outs away but they're going to try to tack on some insurance runs bottom six.

Here we come.

You're watching the Centennial Bank State softball Championship on Arkansas.

PBS Sports.

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Join us as we pledge to increase the visibility of women's sports in our communities.

It makes a difference when we all are involved at GMC.

We proudly support our local female athletes and encourage you to do the same.

See her greatness this month in Passport on the PBS video app site.

Nothing.

Please nobody check everything.

Everyone wants us to be textbook, but it's not exactly in charge.

You know they're wrong, man.

No need to get your knickers in a twist.

I'm only trying to help you take my advice when reading to tell me these and other shows from Arkansas, PBS are available with Passport on, The PBS video app.

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You want a copy of today's broadcast or any other state championship game being played this weekend is going to go in productions dot net and place your order A lot of quality contests still on tap for the rest of the weekend, including the next contest you watch right here on Arkansas PBS to a baseball championship.

Woodlawn, who's turned themselves into a small school power, have won five of the last six state championships, including our good friend Kevin Bohannan, who's going to be on the call taking on Palestine lately.

It's coming next on Arkansas PBS courses for the bottom of the six Rabbits.

It's an attack on some ever important insurance runs.

One sent out a short and strong throw and hope counselor is the first out of the inning with a nice strike to the first first time.

Trinity BURNETT has been retired today.

Got a good swing on this ball.

Just happened to hit it right at coach Conklin over short to rise but it right up out of the zone enough but if you are peerage this important thing here is play clean defensive of inning get back into the dugout lady lions really trying to make bowling work out there inside the circle there is a loud watch is that one off the edge of the plate.

She's one for two today two run homer back in the third grounded out to the pitcher in the fourth.

Yeah, Yeah.

No, never.

No, no.

Now, Mrs. Low allowed.

Now open the count to Oh, first quick shout out to the entire crew here at Arkansas PBS battling some elements today is that one's flared over to the right side be trouble and that one falls between three periods Defenders and lions got a two hit day and got a blast and a blue comes through on the right side of the field in the sun, very bright after the clouds move through.

Coming into play a little bit there.

That's the Bermuda Triangle of the outfield.

You have to have great communication between your left fielder, your right fielder, your second baseman, your center fielder.

Those are the most difficult balls to catch.

We call those tweeters can see the jump off of the turf that ball hit and had the backspin on it to grab the seven hits so far for Gravett in this contest, Harris comes in the run for Loudon, brings up Drew Madison beat out an infield single, picked up an RBI back in the fourth one down here bottom six Pete Ridge he three chances remaining they're going to have seven, eight nine coming up in their batting order that was up and out of the zone Gravett trying to complete the clean sweep of for a competition anti ridge this season contest number four between these northwest Arkansas rivals.

Bobby you mention the schedule from gravett losing their two games to the six west teams in Bentonville and Bentonville west.

But that's what the lady Lions put together that type of schedule to prepare them for a state championship run.

That one misses off the edge of the plate.

So Madison drawls the one out walk.

And now first and second for the lady Lions.

Remind the bear in her own mind comes to the plate.

She's oh for two with a walk today a leadoff hitter for the lady Lions left handed hitter going to step in third lofty for 94 average.

I went up out of the zone so little command issues right here for Bolen Romaine doesn't have a whole lot to show for her at bats but she has really put the ball in play hard twice today is battled in the box tries to lay down a and that's going to be a tough play and smartly raised lets that one roll foul good decision by Conklin over at third base and that is where the turf is going to play differently than the dirt will.

Because if this field would be dirt, that ball would stay fair along that line, Conca recognizes the spin, and because the turf doesn't have anything to grab on to, that ball is going to rule foul.

It's a really smart decision.

Yeah, two factors in that, the spin, but also the speed of roaming likely not going to throw her out.

It's a throw behind the runner at first and she's back safely.

Is Madison.

And that's the decision you have to make as a third baseman.

You have to always judge, is this ball going to get foul?

And if I pick it up, can I actually throw out the runner at first?

And if the answer is no to the second part, you try and let it go pretty strong.

That one flared foul and the left field line.

Are you going to make that decision in a split second as well?

Right.

Not a lot of time.

There's a reason they call it the hot corner.

Even on the Dribblers, the five ones are tally here in the bottom of the sixth at Ferris Field Camps.

If you see a Roman again, chops foul between the third baseman and the third base coach, Coach Luther down there will look at it here and try to slap that one, bounces inside that other batter's box and goes foul.

Technically sounds slap to the crossing of the fifth time it right tries it again there that time she finds a hole they're going to send the runner going to be a play at the plate a great throw out from left field and Ashley early guns are down at the plate what a great throw from early coming in from last Cooper applies the tag a big second early coming up with the outfield assist.

It's a good piece of hitting that goes through the five six hole to slap by romaine just scoots through the infield but early coming up delivers an absolute bullet right on target in time beautiful tag applied right on the chest by Cooper bang bang play.

That is a really solid out for Pea Ridge That's a star for early right there no doubt about it saves the run but runners in second and third now four grab it for Delaney Chilton and her 43 Herbie eyes on the season long runners advanced 60 feet on the throw.

Pete Ridge doesn't get that ever important out of the plate and they're going to get any run.

If you're a red, you need to cut down the line at the plate.

Keep this a four run game.

We keep mentioning the Bryant game in the six eight championship yesterday.

Bryant scored five in the top of the seventh.

So Hilton pops that one up.

It's going to be a play for the catcher.

COOPER This time, she does make the play nice job by Cooper to recognize that and makes the play in foul territory and ends the inning and leaves two lady Lions in scoring position.

But gravity's got a foul 5 to 1 lead coming to the last Randi to the seventh.

You're watching the Centennial Bank State softball Championship on Arkansas.

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Gravity's trying to tell their own story.

Right here is they've got a 5 to 1 lead in the 40 state championship game and they are three outs away from lifting the trophy for the first time in school history.

But standing in the way is going to be early.

Who made the great throw in the previous half inning?

Rogers And then wily so 789 in the lineup for the lady Blackhawks most important thing for the lady Lions played a clean defensive if period.

We got to find a way to get baserunners first delivery from Burke handle it up and out of the zone.

You talk about how you settle down in the middle innings in a state championship game where those nerves come all the way back, especially when you have a lead and you're only three outs away.

Handle a pitch flare to the right side room to make a play but can't be done by Madison.

She couldn't recognize or the wall was over there.

Little more foul territory here than probably some other fields that they're used to playing on.

Sometimes it's hard to convince yourself that you've got a few extra steps on the purple turf.

Kind of makes it.

The turf has different colors.

So it also is a little bit hard to determine.

Sometimes you look at the change in turf.

You think you're already at the wall.

But for the lady lions, you're right.

Getting the final three outs is the hardest, especially when you're looking for your first state championship in program history.

This one also fouled away to the right side.

So early down in the count, one or two handle's been really, really good.

She came to the game in the fourth pitching for Gravett three innings pitched, struck out, three walked.

One has not allowed a hit.

In fact, Pete Ridge has only one hit in the contest.

They have left five runners on base, though a change up couldn't get the bat off the shoulder and strike three called What a nasty time.

Pull the string beautiful changeup out of the hand of handle and pitched the perfect time if you are the pitcher because she's catching early off balance using earley's aggressiveness against her able to really drop that change up in there in frees early for a strikeout looking now Abigail Rogers steps in she's over two pair of strikeouts today.

Allen's low misses and crowd really starting to get into it at very high decibel levels.

That one flared out to the second base there is BURNETT makes the catch now two down.

The thing has impressed me most about handle since she came in and relief is the way that she's mixture pitches.

She's gone up in the zone.

She's used the change of that time going in off the handle of Rogers.

Rogers can't clear the front hip enough.

It's off the handle ends up being an easy pop up on the infield.

And now the lady lions, they can taste it just one more.

Out to go.

Hayley Wylie stands in the way of Gravett in a state championship two out here in the seventh.

She's swinging first pitch, fouled away, the right side down over and one from taking a little more time, getting the signals in.

But handle's ready for the go on and up and out of the zone.

He winds up the count to Wiley 630 continue good patience there from Hailey Wiley.

In this situation it's really easy over swing you're coming down to your final out of the season.

You want to try and do something so badly you end up swinging at a ball out of the zone.

Really patient Take their staff to find a way to get on base to extend this contest because essentially her at bat means nothing if she doesn't get on base and they need three runners need for runners load the bases to give themselves a chance.

It's never over till it's over, but you have to stay in it one pitch at a time.

You know, the emotions are really starting to peak for Gravett to one count now and off the edge.

The point as well.

It's three and one.

The green line here down for a runs the trade you take and make them throw you a strike If it's something good and a31 count in this situation I'd actually give her the green light.

Get something that you can hit as opposed to working at three to count and then being maybe forced to hit Hannah's pitch.

Can't get this bat off the shoulder there.

I thought about it, though.

That one's a high strike, so it's a full count.

Hailee Wiley rattling three to Laura candle trying to give Gravett their first ever softball title.

One out of the zone.

This one's going to still live a little longer as Wiley draws the two out.

Walk again.

The patience by Wiley inside the box there to lay all of the borderline pitches really patient at bat.

Good job not extending the zone in the most important thing of your period is just live to see the next batter.

How long can you extend this inning?

How patient can you be?

So I brings the top of the order back up.

Four periods insanely awarded for 95 batting average.

That one sent out to center.

It's track down she's got it also makes the catch and GRANITZ who's taking the four state championship is for Northwestern the state can offer the lady Lion's takedown to bridge the dogpile mills here.

For the first time in school history, Gravett wins the title, an impressive showing by the Gravett Lady eight hits five runs, doing the damage in the third in the fourth innings and then handle coming on in relief and shutting down, period.

This was a complete game effort from got it.

Gravett holds spirits and just one hits as the lady lions win the for a state championship.

We're going to step aside trophy presentation find who your MVP is a little bit more coming up next as you're watching the Centennial Bank state softball championship on Arkansas.

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One, two, three.

There's going to be no garden here.

The farmer's field is Gravett has just taken down the Pine Ridge Black Hawks by a score of 5 to 1.

The win the for a state softball championship.

This game is really all about pitching and missed opportunities Early on in this contest, Ridge had some baserunners, albeit because of walks, but they couldn't move them around.

Eventually, the granite bats woke up and took advantage of the opportunities that they had.

The lady Black Hawks left on five runners threw the first four innings.

So, Bobby, to your point, there were opportunities, but it just felt like longer This game went on, the more Gravett had the opportunity to win.

The Lady Lions got the big hits.

Tracy BURNETT coming up big with a triple and Bentley loud and the big two run home run.

And it just felt like that was the tide.

TURNER There's your foray state champions as gravity's handed the hardware and you mentioned that third inning that sequence as Pete Ridge finally pushes a run across to get a lead on a team that they lost two or three times this season and the first two pitches that they throw with the lead triple homerun and all of a sudden that leads gone and they never really responded.

And that is how championship teams respond, though, as they come back with adversity and grab it found a way to do it.

They went after it hard the two innings and then tacking on three more in the fourth.

And it was never a game after that.

Take a look at the highlights and how we got here is Granite wins the four state championship.

I mean, this team is all about defense really early on, really good defense for both Ridge and Gravett, which is that strong thrown in the second inning.

But you go ahead to the third and this is when the scoring finally started, an RBI single there and deep in the hole as Pete Ridge takes the early one, nothing lead but Gravett able to bounce right back and that little diving catch there again by Ashland Short, that's a top ten play nominee when the fourth inning gravitas really started to stroke it.

But that one more finds a somehow a way to stay fair and they just kind of coasted from there.

And once they went to handle the pitcher, Dorian Graf, just really didn't have much of a challenge.

Handle was shut down inside the circle coming into that fourth inning, able to get the win and just really grab it, doing what they needed to do today to end up with the 40 state title.

There is a look at your state title game MVP as we broke handle and she certainly deserved it the way she came in and pitched and pitched all season long for.

The Lady Lions.

So what's up next?

We actually got a game time change as the two way state baseball championships coming up next.

It's going to start at 630.

That's all weather rolling and economy going to start that a little early, trying to get this one in.

So if you tune in for the two way baseball championship between Woodlawn and Palestine, Wheatley got here a little bit earlier than scheduled has that one is going to start at 630.

Well that's going to do it from Ferris Field for today.

Be sure to tune back in tomorrow 10 a.m. the first softball championship going to be right here with Dorie, crafted myself and of course, the 1:00, we'll wrap things up with the final softball championship.

But we've got a lot more championship action on TBS for the rest of the weekend.

So might as well just lose the remote.

You won't need it.

But for Dorie Kraft on Bobby's offer, thanks for tuning in and watching the Centennial Bank State Softball Championship on Arkansas PBS Sports.