Fly ball.

It's the sixth and final softball contest on this champions weekend in Conway.

For the fourth time this season, the Lincoln Lady Wolves and Hackett Lady Hornets will go head to head.

But this time, one team will leave with their first title in program history.

It's the three AA state softball championship on Arkansas PBS Sports.

Welcome into Farris Field at Natalie Schock Stadium alongside the former Razorback Sidney Parlee.

I'm Dorian Kraft.

They say it is hard to beat a good team three times in the same season, but Sidney Hackett will look to make it four wins in a row over the Lady Wolves and the Lady Hornets.

They have outscored Lincoln 19 to 2 over the course of their three games this year, including a seven nothing win as recently as May 3rd in the regional final.

But those scores, they don't really tell the whole story.

And for Hackett, three wins are three wins.

But for Lincoln, they were missing Brinkley, Morton and The circle.

She was not 100% in those three games due to injury.

And she is a key component for this Lincoln squad.

Brinkley Morton will get the start tonight.

The Mississippi State commit.

She is the engine that makes this Lincoln team go.

And oh is she.

She hit her 700th career strikeout during district.

And since district stats, strikeout count has increased in her velo is her main weapon in the circle.

Brinkley Morton typically hitting 67 to 68 on the gun.

We will get into her repertoire as this game goes along on the other side of the field.

For Hackett, they have finally broken through into their first state championship appearance.

Stymied in each of the last two seasons in the state semifinal.

A big reason for their appearance this year is Mackenzie Freeman and for Mackenzie Freeman, the Tulsa commit.

She is explosive offensively at the plate and is a fierce competitor on the rubber.

Hackett and Lincoln getting set to do battle here in this three a state championship.

A 705 start from Farris Field here on the University of Central Arkansas campus.

In our sixth and final softball state championship.

Hackett in the black and gold jerseys.

Lincoln will be sporting the White and Maroons.

This is how the Lady Wolves starting batting order is going to line up.

It is Hannah Remington in the leadoff spot, followed by Brinkley Morton, who does it both in the circle and at the plate.

Kristen Ryan.

Amber Bryant sitting in the four hole tonight.

Morgan Rice, Addie Pursell the highly ranked 2025 recruit Lauren Remington Pomeroy, Jake Province and Paige Beeks is the flex playing right field not batting tonight.

And they once again will be going up against Brinkley Morton 16 and five on the season.

So they will be going up against Mackenzie Freeman.

Excuse me 170 innings pitched 65 hits.

She is 28 and two on the year 29 runs.

Ten have been earned 256 strikeouts on the season, compared to just 40 walks in the ten earned runs only allowed in 170 innings pitch.

But what Lincoln can expect to see from Kinzie Freeman today is she's going to sit in the low 60s.

She's very crafty with her spin.

She heavily relies upon her drop ball, occasionally will utilize the rise ball to offset the batter's eyes, and then she likes to pull the string on her changeup.

Freeman.

Incredibly tough to score against a 0.412 ERA on the season.

First pitch from Farris Field misses low for a ball.

Expect runs to be at a premium today.

That one tapped over to the left side.

Right to the third baseman.

Strong throw over to first by Bryan to record the first out.

And for Kinzie Freeman relying upon that ball there to get the ground ball out.

Freeman in the circle Taylor Nichols is behind the plate.

That was Morgan Coryell over at third.

You have Ava Thornberg at first, Lily Oxford at second and the sister her duo beat the pitchers and the shortstop that is Mickey Freeman the sophomore in it.

Short left to right around the outfield for Hackett.

It is Providence Remington and beats the flex player out in right field.

Stepping into the box for Lincoln Brinkley.

Morton.

Our first look at the pitcher for the Lady Wolves as that one skips away.

Brinkley Morton.

Hitting for 68 on the year 44 hits off the outside corner.

Lifted, but it will hang up.

It's playable out in center field for Laney Coil.

And there are two away here in the top of the court.

And two quick outs.

Kinzie Freeman has already gotten for her defense.

Let's take another look at this pitch.

This is a rise ball that just stays on the outer part of the plate.

And for Brinkley, Morton being aggressive she goes after this pitch.

Just gets a little bit too underneath it lifting it out to corral in center field.

Kristen Ryan 406 first pitch strike on the outside corner.

Ryan 43 hits, ten doubles.

Lots of pop in this number three spot.

Does have a triple.

No home runs.

This is a Lincoln team that has only hit 14 on the year.

Offspeed tacked over to the left side 123 inning as the Lady Wolves go down in order in the top of the first inning, Hackett will come to bat in the home half.

You're watching this Centennial Bank state baseball and softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

This month on Arkansas PBS.

Yeah, I was actually right behind Jimi Hendrix's bell bottom there.

So the 70s fashion blocked your head out of that guy from bondage to battle.

What do you make of him?

It changes the game for my family.

I wish the American public understood war the way warriors understand war.

It's not just another job.

You're going in a hot area and someone's going to die.

Only on Arkansas PBS.

For every moment, for every memory from that first car to your first home, to your first child, and all the highs and lows that tomorrow might break for everything that matters most to you and your family.

There's someone right around the corner dedicated to helping you protect what you love.

Your local Farm Bureau insurance agent, farm bureau, insurance, real service, real people 1234.

Is going up in.

Welcome back to Farmer's Field.

Bottom of the first inning here in the three, a state championship game between Hackett and Lincoln.

Lady Wolves went down in order.

Now the Lady Hornets will go to work.

Morgan Correa leading things off.

The second baseman.

Lily Oxford batting in the two spot.

The Freeman's as first pitch put in to play right to the shortstop and a quick out recorded as Coryell is retired.

We even get through the batting order.

But it is the Freeman's going three for Tyler Nichols in the five spot.

Lainey Coryell, Ava Thornberg, Carly Reeser and Ava Meyer rounding out the starting nine for the Lady Hornets.

Take a look at it again there on the left side of your screen, and they will be facing Brinkley Morton 123 innings on the season, 83 hits as a first pitch swing down the left field line.

Foul.

Morton is allowed 48 runs, 30 have been earned, 37 walks to 228 strikeouts on the year with a 1.7 E.R.A.

And for this Hackett offense, they are their contact hitting team.

They're going to be aggressive early on in the count.

And for Brinkley Morton she has some juice behind her pitches.

She sits in the upper 60s.

She likes to utilize her changeup to offset that fast the low.

She likes to stick to East and west with the screw and curve.

And she also has a dropped ball.

Tried to curve there on the outside corner.

Misses wide.

The count two and one to the number two hitter in the Hackett lineup and Durham.

We have already seen some very quick balls put into play thus far in the game.

There's another one right at the shortstop on a line that was Remington on the money.

Two away.

And for both of these offenses, they are both extremely aggressive offenses from one through nine.

That is the name of their game.

This is a screwball on the inner part of the plate that for Oxford, she falls off early on and her at bat the first of two Freeman's in the lineup.

This is Mickey Freeman, the shortstop.

McKayla is her first name.

Prefers Mickey.

571 average on the season 56 hits, 35 singles.

That rise ball stays up eight doubles, six triples, seven home runs, so half of the home runs on the season for Hackett have come off the bat of Mickey Freeman, and for this Hackett lineup, the top four hitters.

It is a stiff test to face against these top hitters with the on base percentage that they display and the ability to consistent get on base four pitch walk delivered to Mickey Freeman.

So Hackett has their first baserunner of the evening.

Kenzie Freeman will step in now, trying to help her own cause.

Mackenzie Freeman 537.

You think it's a sisterly competition, but who has the higher average?

It's just swings through the rise ball.

I'm sure there's some smack talking, some good sisterly competition, but what an experience to be able to play with your sibling.

I always think that is so cool when sisters get to play with each other.

We got a handful of siblings here on both of these sides.

For Hackett, you have the Coryell sisters, Morgan and Laney.

In the starting lineup.

You have the Freeman sisters as well.

In the Lincoln side, there are the Remington sisters that are also playing.

So a lot of players getting to share Sydney, that experience that you were talking about and something that's even to add on to the coolness of that is Hackett coach Coach Morton.

He talked about coaching a competitive travel ball team and the Tulsa elite organization that one put into play in left field and is on the turf, squirting away towards the left field line.

Freeman being waved around.

And Hackett strikes first here in the bottom of the first inning.

And this is what Hackett does best.

Deer aggressive at the plate.

They put good short, quick swings on pitches.

This ball is an up and out pitch that Freeman so perfectly gets her barrel to driving it into the into left field and for province over on left field.

Just couldn't get underneath that ball as it was diving down.

JK Province trying to make the play out in left field.

That ball slicing away a tough play to come up with as Kenzie Freeman knocks home the first run, giving herself some a little bit of insurance.

And.

You have a courtesy runner in for Freeman as well.

That is number one Layton Holbert first pitch fouled back to the screen.

Let's go.

Oh Taylor Nichols now the battery mate of Freeman trying to bring in the courtesy runner.

Nichols 337 average on the year 32 hits seven doubles goes after the rice.

Fouls it back into the screen.

Morton trying to limit the damage here in the bottom of the first inning after Mickey Freeman was able to draw a two out walk and her sister brought her home with a double, the oh two off the outside corner stays outside.

And let's take another look at this pitch that's on the outer part of the plate being oh down being up oh two in the count.

That's a good lay off by Nichols.

One two fouled back.

Morton did throw against Hackett in that regional final.

But the Lady Wolves had had to play extra innings in the game before.

So Morton, not as crisp as she normally would be, drop ball that had some bite to it as Morton able to get out of the inning, keeping the Hackett lead to just a single run.

The Lady Hornets on top as we go to the second here in the three a state final, you're watching the Centennial Bank state baseball and softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports this month in passport on the PBS app.

But there's this extra terrestrial quality to sperm whales.

Join me, and together we'll turn back the pages of Earth's past to reveal the amazing wonders beneath our feet.

There's a lot more going on behind the scenes than you might expect.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

Looks like we have some new help in the marketing department.

Action!

Hi, I'm to the area with everything you can see.

I think you can work on here and find better.

How do you do it?

Family-Owned customer friends.

Family I don't know if you can see that every Buick GMC I started at Alcoa exit, but.

But everybody.

Was going to start.

The Arkansas Department of Health is proud to support, spotlight and celebrate Arkansas student athletes and Arkansas PBS sports Escape the vape.

Learn more about the hazards of vaping at Project Prevent are caught top of the second inning here on the University of Central Arkansas campus.

Hackett taking the early one run lead and starts off Amber Bryan with a strike on the outside corner.

There's a look at Lincoln Lady.

Wolves head coach Brittany Ingle talked to her before the game.

She was really upbeat about the way that her team was playing coming into this game in the feeling, she said.

We're just a bunch of goofballs.

We're out here having fun and that's how you have to be.

And she also talked about just being honored to be here, understanding what this means, what they're working towards and just the excitement that comes along with it.

This is a Lincoln team that was bounced from the postseason in the first round last year, thought their team had an opportunity to make a deeper run than that, and so really made it a focus this year.

Coming into the season as the one two swung on and miss the first strikeout of the day for Freeman, but it was really a point of emphasis to make it to this point this year.

Absolutely.

And, you know, to talk about the postseason that they had this year will take another look at this pitch by Kenzie Freeman.

Just a drop ball that stays more up in the zone.

The ability that she has to throw her ball at two different planes higher in the zone and then lower to get the chase pitch that is her bread and butter.

Morgan Rice, the deep standing in.

But to talk about the first game of this postseason this year, I think it really set the table for the rest of their postseason state tournament run.

With the win against Mayflower 3 to 2.

That Mayflower is a extremely good team, and I just think that that game right there set the precedent.

Lincoln taught Mayflower the first round three two.

Is that one in the turf that they beat Genoa Central 6 to 4 in the quarterfinals before topping DeWitt five three.

So not exactly an easy path, but certainly some substantial wins there as that's fouled off down the right field line.

It's going to be playable right behind the first base bag.

Thornberg has it two away.

That is a difficult catch for Third and Berg over there on the right side of the field.

Because the sun at this point in the day, Sydney, it is really streaming across the field.

Third base side to first base side.

This is what it looks like over for those right fielder, the first baseman, the second baseman.

That is really tough to play against.

It's very tough when the sun is on that part of the field, or just in general, just in your eyes as a defender.

And the biggest thing is for the outfielders, it's keeping the glove, you know, shielded on your eyes when the ball's put in play.

And it's just making sure that once the ball's put in play, you immediately get your glove up to block the sun.

There's something that I've never really thought about until this moment, especially on the infield for the first baseman or the third baseman when the sun's on the other side, as you see there, that's Reese out in right field, has the sunglasses on for protection.

This one tipped over to the right side, playable for three.

Another 123 inning hooking to that time in the home half of the second inning as the Lady Hornets come back to bat.

It is one nothing in favor of Hackett.

You're watching the Centennial Bank state baseball and softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

This month on Arkansas PBS.

All right, just as a radio station is getting popular.

You knew Peggy White stood that station twice weekly.

The deejay is electrocuted on the air.

I'm a woman alone, newly arrived in a dangerous town.

During a chess match, one of the competitors dies.

I've found significant traces of poison on the white Queen, but the team can't figure out how the killer did it.

Only on Arkansas PBS.

I'll do whatever it takes to protect my family.

And part of taking care of them is using a bank that takes care of us.

That's why I use Centennial Bank, a strong institution for an uncertain economy.

I know them and I trust them.

They have a strong financial foundation, which means that my money and our future is never in doubt.

Life is busy and there's plenty of things to worry about.

My bank isn't one of them.

Centennial Bank, member FDIC, equal housing lender.

Conway Regional Health System is proud to support, spotlight and celebrate Arkansas student athletes in Arkansas.

PBS sports since 1921, Conway Regional Health System has provided complete health care services to the growing communities of north central Arkansas.

For more information, visit Conway Regional org.

Haggard scored an early run in the bottom of the first inning on a two out RBI double by Kenzie Freeman, as the Lady Hornets come to the plate here in the bottom of the second at Laney Coryell, Ava Thornburg and Carly Retherford do a first pitch ball on the inside corner from Brinkley Morton.

There's a look at Coach Jeff Oxford, the head coach of the Lady Hornets.

And he really talked about Sydney, his team's journey to get here.

It has been a journey.

They made it to the state semifinals each of the last two years.

Could not get past that plateau.

Finally able to break through after falling to Boonville last year.

Three two.

And they really feel like this is their moment.

And he just talked about that loss to Boonville that just set the example going into this years a play lifted in the air just behind the first base bag collected by Ryan for the first out of the inning.

And another interesting thing that I just found interesting that Coach Oxford talked about, is how he has already previously coached girls on his team, on Lincoln's team, and that was for the Tulsa Elite Travel Ball organization.

He, coach Taylor Nichols, the Freeman sisters, his daughter, his daughter, excuse me, Lily Oxford and then also Brinkley Morton.

So already familiar with so many of the players playing this game.

Many people may not realize it, but high school softball is a small community that's fed into by a lot of travel programs.

So you're playing with a lot of players against a lot of players that you know really intimately from years and years of playing together against one another is that's looped into shallow right field single for Ava Thurman and for Eva Thornburg.

That is a great piece of hitting on that outside pitch.

She just dropped her barrel on it and did just enough to get it into right field to Paige Beaks.

And let's take another look at this outer part.

She just stops a little past contact and has just enough power to behind it to get a single.

And for Paige Beach, she was playing more in.

Took a really great angle to to cut that ball off.

Carly Rather standing in one away with the runner on first, fouls these screwball back into the screen and you go back to your point.

Dorian.

You know, we talk about how much the game of softball has evolved in the state and where it is at, and another thing that pours into it, outside of the amazing colleges that are in the state, it's also the travel ball organizations.

There are so many competitive travel ball organizations within the state right now that just continues to feed like the Tulsa Elite, the Thunder, the legends, the Arkansas Pride.

And we can keep going on.

but it's so great to see so many girls playing at the competitive level.

The one one line off the third baseman's glove throw to second in time, able to gunned down Thornburg as she had to hold up to make sure the line drive wasn't caught.

A heads up defensive play over at third by Amber Bryan and for and fourth foreign Berg.

Let's take another look at this.

This is a hard hit roped at Amber Bryant.

She does everything to stick with it.

And for Thornburg you know that's a little bit of a tough play.

You you have to break down and stop in the middle of the base path to make sure that it doesn't.

You know, it gets down.

but that is such a solid heads up play by Amber Bryant actually took off her glove over there at third base.

Had to recollect herself, make a strong throw over to second.

That's when you know it's a hot shot.

When it takes the glove with it.

And she did everything to to secure it.

Listen, as a former third baseman myself, I applaud you, Amber Bryant.

I know how hard it was to make that play.

I've been there, girl, I see you.

It's the hot corner for a reason.

It is true.

Two away here in the bottom of the second inning.

Runner on first as that was a fielder's choice for right there.

She does reach and it brings up Ava Meyer in the ninth spot.

Up in in.

Ava Meyer 237 on the year, 19 hits, three doubles, 18 RBI offered at the curveball.

And now, down in the count, one and two.

And that's the right call there as Bart Myers barrel did cross the playing of the plate.

That's what you're typically looking for on a check swing.

One, two just off the outside corner, two and two.

But Addie Pursell behind the plate.

She did everything to get around that pitch to frame it.

The two two tapped down the first base line.

Easy play over there at first for Ryne.

So Hackett able to get a couple of runners on cannot bring anybody in.

It remains one.

Nothing in favor of the Lady Hornets.

We head to the top of the third here at Ferris Field.

You're watching the Centennial Bank state baseball and softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports this month in passport on the PBS app.

Get ready as Bridget, Julia and the rest of the gang explore new recipes and cooking techniques.

We're all storytellers.

You tell stories of our people through music.

I'm diving deep into one of Mexico's most truly vibrant states.

You can find that one easy, mom.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

Attention sports enthusiast.

Get ready to be amazed by summer.

Which sports complex?

The new state of the art facility in Bryan.

Our facility offers up to four courts spread across two spacious gyms conveniently located off Interstate 30 in Bryant.

Whether you're a team seeking tournament glory or an individual looking to elevate your skills, summer sports has got you covered.

Discover more about our cutting edge facility and check availability at Summer Wood Sports.com.

The electric cooperatives of Arkansas, through their 17 electric distribution cooperatives throughout the state, is proud to support, spotlight and celebrate Arkansas student athletes in Arkansas PBS sports.

For more information, visit eight sec.com.

We're cruisin along here at Ferris Field.

Already top of the third inning.

Hackett leading one.

Nothing thanks to a two out RBI by the woman in the circle.

Kenzie Freeman doing a little bit of everything as she is facing seven, eight, nine in the Lincoln order that lifted over on the right side.

It will stay playable as Thornberg makes the grab.

She's quite busy already today.

Surely there has been a number of fly balls over there to Thornburg already throughout the progression of the game, and it's all due to the fact that Kinzie Freeman, she is sprinkling in her low rise, and she's getting the Lincoln hitters to get underneath it to pop the ball up.

Zella Pomeroy 317 on the season, takes a strike on the outside corner.

Freeman.

The pitch right down the center of the pike with two.

And you know, it's interesting and understanding.

You know what Freeman is going to throw as Lincoln has faced Freeman prior in this season.

But throughout the progression of the season, of the balls that have been put in play off of Kinzie Freeman, it's actually 63% is where she gets the ground balls.

She only gets 19% fly balls, so not a lot of balls that are put in the air.

The one two fouled back into the screen.

What's more typical of pitchers that work?

It feels like east to west and a little bit down.

They would have more of a ground ball because it's more difficult to elevate that arise.

Ball is is is already up in the zone.

Yes.

But demonstrating today there's been quite a few balls that have been put in the air.

The one two, there's the drop swung on and missed.

Second strikeout of the day for Kenzie Freeman.

Providence and Herb drop Paul.

It just drops off of the table with such downward bite.

It's not until right about a foot in front of the plate that it takes that sharp downward motion, but Freeman's making it easy on the home plate.

Umpire Nathan McGowan around the horn you just saw there at first base, it's Jean Bowser.

And at third Rickey Geiger your officiating crew tonight here at Ferris Field.

Thank you so much for joining us here on this Champions Weekend on the University of Central Arkansas campus.

It has been action packed over the last three days.

Softball, baseball, soccer going on right across the street at Aston Stadium as that stays high and away.

It's an exciting time within the state for a lot of communities, a lot of just sports fans out there.

Jaycee Robins making her first at bat, the left fielder hitting 295, Freeman missing high it out.

13 hits for Providence.

All 13 have been singles, does have seven RBI on the year as she holds off all the drop.

They say she went and on that check swing right there by province.

Let's take a look at this.

Her barrel does cross the plane of the plate.

So she did go with that.

She would have held her barrel back just another and she wouldn't have been called out.

Instead, she swings through the offering.

So all of the first nine hitters for Lincoln have been retired by Kenzie Freeman.

We go to the bottom of the third inning.

It is a one nothing.

Hackett you're watching the Centennial Bank state baseball and softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

The electric cooperatives of Arkansas over 2500 team members across 17 local electric distribution co-ops powering homes, farms and industries somewhere across Arkansas.

We are the electric cooperatives of Arkansas power and people for every moment, for every memory from that first car to your first home, to your first child and all the highs and lows that tomorrow might break.

For everything that matters most to you and your family, there's someone right around the corner dedicated to helping you protect what you love.

Your local Farm Bureau insurance agent, Farm bureau, insurance, real service, real people.

Let me take you for a ride on the big slide.

Let's go.

Support for Arkansas PBS sports comes from Wendy's, Wendy's Cinnabon pull apart and vanilla Frosty Cream cold brew, available today at participating U.S. Wendy's.

Bottom of the third inning between Lincoln and Hackett.

Let's take a quick look at the Lincoln defense.

Hackett has been so aggressive on offense, we haven't had a chance yet to introduce you to the lady.

Wolves in the field Morton in the circle.

Addie Pursell behind the plate.

Around the horn Christian rides Ella Pomeroy Lady Remington and Amber Bryant over at third.

We've seen her a lot already.

Left to right in the outfield Jake Provence Remington.

And over in right field is Beeks.

First pitch ball to Morgan Coryell, who put the first ball that she saw into play grounded out to the shortstop.

And this Hackett offense has been extremely aggressive early in the count.

And that's something that Coach Oxford talked about.

We are a contact hitting team.

We are very aggressive early in the count.

Selectively aggressive here for Corey Ellis.

She has worked herself A30 count.

Coryell shows bunt pulls back high and tight.

Second walk of the day issued by Brinkley Morton.

Hits the first one.

Ended up becoming a run.

This one the leadoff batter for Hackett here in the third inning.

And that's the biggest thing against this Hackett offense is you want to eliminate three three bases because they are the type of team where they do execute and they do put the ball in play consistently.

First pitch ball on the inside corner.

Hackett as a team this year, hitting a 426 on base percentage nearly 500, pounded out 371 hits, 89 doubles, 22 triples and 25 home runs.

Check.

Swing, foul.

Let's take another look at this check.

Swing by Oxford.

She starts to go, oh wait.

Nope, I don't think I want to.

Those are always the worst.

The Hackett is a team that always also likes to run, and they've been successful.

When they put a runner in motion.

The steal rate of 95%, only 44 stolen bases.

So not some of the quantities that we've seen like a Taylor Tigers.

But they pick their spots and when they do, it usually pays dividends.

Or for Skyler Sterrett that has 44 stolen bases.

Just her.

That's right, her own.

But it's the power numbers for Hackett that just absolutely pop off the page.

Tapped and snagged by Morton in the circle.

Only play is over to first able to get off of the rubber quickly.

That was impressive as she gets it over to rind to retire Oxford.

Okay.

Brinkley.

Morton.

Let's watch some good right here.

Coming off of the rubber with the back hand.

This is a ground ball that's just dribbled in front of the plate.

But the back hand and spin move to gunner out over at Rhyne.

That is a heck of a play by a pitcher.

But fielder pitcher fielding your position.

But also there.

How about the knowledge that she did not have the play at second?

Because oftentimes we'll see pitchers try and force that and then everybody's safer.

That ball sails into center field as Mikey Freeman flips it down the third base line.

Foul.

No, you're exactly right.

A lot of times pitchers want to get that that lead runner out.

But that was a very heads up play.

And it's understanding the pace of play.

You know defense is all about you know this defense is all about timing and the pace of play and just your internal clock.

Sometimes it's easy to speed yourself up.

But that was a really heads up play by Morton.

One one to Freeman off the outside to short.

And now they she will be.

Oh I thought she was going to be out.

I will admit Morgan Coryell somehow avoided the tag.

And Hackett getting away with one here in the bottom of the third inning as Coryell broke on contact, it went right to Remington.

And sure, there's the throw over to Bryant, and she was, in fact, saved.

That was a great angle of it.

That was a great camera angle by PBS team.

But for Coryell, we've got some matrix going on right there to avoid the tag.

As a runner.

That's one of the worst feelings in the world because you feel like you're caught.

That's a great job avoiding the tag.

Lucky that she wasn't caught out.

And this may be the conversation here, whether or not she was out of the base path.

And that's what I initially thought is she would be called out because of being outside of the base path.

but it seems like the ruling is going to stand as is a heads up play by Mikey Freeman, because as that was happening, she took second.

So now Hackett with runners in scoring position, second and third, only one away here in the bottom of the third inning.

And it brings to the plate Kenzie Freeman, who doubled in her last at bat.

First pitch ball just off the outside corner.

And for Kinzie Freeman this is who you want to have up at the plate.

She's batting 531 with runners in scoring position on the season, batting nearly as well with runners in scoring position as she is on the whole 531 runners in scoring position 537 already raised that average here in this game, with the RBI double in the bottom of the first.

This is an opportunity for the Lady Hornets to break it open.

Two oh hitter count.

Swinging skies it down the left field line.

Providence makes the catch for yellow tag and score as pocket plates.

Another.

And for Kinzie Freeman just another RBI to add.

Let's take another look at this swing.

This is an up and out pitch that she gets underneath, lofting it deep enough so that when Province made the grab, she wasn't able to make the throw at home.

But that's a total effort by province going and securing that in foul territory.

So two away.

Freeman also tagging and moving to third.

So Mikey Freeman on third.

Aggressive base running already from the Lady Hornets.

They've displayed it.

And now another two out RBI opportunity for Taylor Nichols who struck out to end the first.

Check the swing on the rise.

You know Dorian I feel as though sometimes baserunning is very overshadowed by all of the other components, in the game of softball.

But baserunning wins ball games called strike on the inside corner.

I agree with you.

Baserunning.

You can run yourself out of innings.

You can run yourself out of scoring opportunities.

And so when you're not smart on the base paths, it can really limit your ability to what you can do offensively.

Two one stays off the outside corner three and one.

And you know, to go back to that play by Provence, that was such a huge out early in the game.

You know I understand going and getting that out.

But as the game was to progress, that's a little bit of an iffy call.

Back up the middle.

There's two away Morton for got the outs.

Went to chase down the runner over at third.

Two outs had the easy play over at first.

And this is where you can talk about speeding yourself up a little bit.

It's always being in the mentality of thinking one play ahead, understanding when the ball's hit to you, what are you going to do with it?

That's why communication is so important in the game of softball, of understanding how many outs there are, what the situation is at hand.

Mikey Freeman, shocked that the play was even coming towards her with two outs.

She was just on the move routine, moving in to home as she figured the throw was going to over to first.

They would be out of the inning, but instead the Lady Hornets still live here in the bottom of the third inning, Taylor Nichols stealing second base.

And so, taking advantage of some mental miscues early on by Lincoln here in the third inning.

The one oh rise bomb misses two and zero not.

The thing about defense is when your tempo gets off as a team, but also individually, that's when you get outside of yourself and you make little mishaps like that too.

Oh, brings it back on the inside corner.

Beautiful screwball there from Ricky Morton.

Beautiful screwball on A20 count.

Just getting the corner of the plate.

Two one curveball off the outside corner, booted and the throw to first.

Not in time.

Two runs come in to score the aggressive baserunning by the Lady Hornets, playing dividends.

And for this Hackett offense, the base path, the way that they are running the base path is the difference maker in this game right now.

And for Coryell, this is a solid piece of hitting with a curveball on the outer part of the plate.

She does everything to let it get deep.

Just drop draws her barrel on it and stays on it.

It's a great angle there of Nichols turning the corner, diving in safely.

As the second baseman, Pomeroy pulled in a little bit, not able to make the play at first.

The third home.

Not in time as Hackett has tacked on three more here in the home half of the third inning.

They lead it four nothing, and a conversation inside the circle for Coach Engle and her Lady Wolf squad.

And for the speed of Nichols on two outs, you're automatically ball put.

You know, ball to back contact your running.

But that was such heads up base running with the delay of how long run over at first base held on to that ball.

And we saw that earlier in the Riverside game.

In those later innings.

Now Hackett finding themselves facing a four nothing hole this inning, continuing.

It started off with a leadoff walk to Morgan Coryell.

Mikey Freeman reached on a fielder's choice.

Kenzie Freeman played a run with a sacrifice fly to left field, and then Taylor Nichols reached on a fielder's choice where, with two outs, Morton tried to get the runner coming home and this lifted deep to left center field.

It's going off the fence.

It bounces back into play.

Runners on the move!

Corio!

She scores!

It's five.

Nothing.

Hackett.

And this is an absolute blast off of the bat of Thornburg.

She's got every piece of that pitch.

All right.

Chest bumps all day long.

They're applying the pressure.

And let's take another look at this huge swing by Thornburg.

It's an outside pitch that she gets her barrel around and has the strength to drive it off of the left center field wall.

That is a big time swing.

Big time swing in big time production with two outs.

Sydney three of the four runs that have scored this inning have all come with two away.

And that's when you know your offense is good or two outs does not matter.

Two outs.

So what lifted?

Just foul.

It's all about passing the bat.

That's something that you and I talk about when we call the Arkansas games at the collegiate level, especially hitting is so much about momentum and what you see your teammates do, and it just has that trickle down effect.

It does.

It just shifts the momentum completely.

112 Carly Reeser.

Is now two and one in favor of Morton Reath are zero for one today.

Reached on a fielder's choice.

One two lead over to the right side.

Hanging up but right at beat in her tracks.

Hackett sends eight to the plate.

They score four more.

It is five nothing Lady Hornets.

As we head to the top of the fourth inning here at Ferris Field, you're watching the Centennial Bank state baseball and softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

When you choose Conway Regional, you're choosing a health care partner rooted in your community.

With nine primary care locations in five counties.

We believe in building lasting relationships, thinner on trust and personalized care.

But our family care for years.

Looks like we have some new health in the marketing department at ten.

Hi, I'm to the area with Everett UPMC.

I think you can work out here and find others.

How do you do it?

Family and customer friends.

Family I both friendly comfy is Everett Buick GMC.

I started at Alcoa exit but left everybody.

123.

Hello?

Is going up in.

Congratulations to our Arkansas PBS student, all star Isabella Immel of Mayflower, the senior catcher with a 4.0 GPA, and she plans to attend college to major in biology to pursue a profession in oncology.

Congratulations, Isabella.

It will go out there, do work, cure cancer.

We want you to do it.

We are so proud of you.

It's so impressive.

So impressive that there's already such a passionate plan in place to go out and do something like that.

I mean, when every, every player that we've spotlighted on a game that you and I have done and I would imagine this is the same across the board, but it's not just what they want to achieve.

They want to go out and help people.

How many players have we seen?

They want to go into the medical field.

They want to go into exercise science to help people recover.

It's not just about them.

It's about giving back to the community.

That's a and just to have that impact and make a difference.

College strike on the outside corner.

Leadoff batter Hannah Remington has the lineup turning over for Lincoln.

So this will be the second time through the order in Sydney.

This is where you start to see adjustments in the approach of the plate.

What's the biggest adjustment that the Lady Wolves need to make against Freeman attacking earlier in the count?

When she's throwing that ball that's about belt high laying off of the drop ball in the rise but attacking first pitch strike going after it.

Remington went after a good one there.

Foul.

Tipped it into the glove of Nichols as she is down in the count.

One two.

Remington grounded out to third to lead things off.

The one two on the outside corner struck her out and that is a sharp pitch by Kenzie Freeman.

She works lower in the zone, sprinkles in that low rise to get back ahead in the count.

And then it's just the precise curveball that she throws that starts at the heart of the plate and just cuts at the last second.

Brings to the plate Brinkley Morton flew out to center field in her first at bat.

First pitch just off the outside corner.

And you know, you talk about facing a pitcher that is heavily going to throw the ball.

It is pertinent that as a hitter, when you're attacking the drop ball, you've got to drive your backside to work to the bottom of that pitch.

It's all in your lower half.

It's not an upper half.

Let me drop the barrel on it.

It's driving your backside down to get your barrel to the bottom part of the ball, to squared up and hit that line drive.

A lot of times it gets misunderstood of just let me drop my barrel on it.

No, it's in the backside.

It's in your legs that enables you to get to that low pitch.

Jump in the word pertinent.

Do you have a 4.0 in high school?

You know, let me let me tell you the worry in showing that education here three zero is more patient at bat.

Takes a called strike on the outside corner.

But the classroom is super important.

It is.

It's it.

You display who you are in the classroom just as much as you do out on the field, if not one one away.

Here in the top of the fourth inning, Morton, with A31 count, chases the dropped ball on the outside corner.

Full count.

And let's take another look at this drop ball.

The effectiveness of Freeman to be able to throw her drop ball on both parts of the plate, but it's the outside that has been so effective, more able to foul it off to stay alive.

You know, it's so great.

I always enjoy calling these games with you.

And one of the things that I really love about the way that you call is the fact that you really explain, you take that first person perspective and you really explain the things that you learn how it applies to the high school game.

And we've only seen high school players start to implement the things that you and I learned in college.

As the game grows as A32 rate back off the shins to the third baseman to first, she's out.

What a play.

The old one.

Five three as Coryell delivers an absolute bullet over to first.

And I hope Kinsey Freeman's okay.

But like they say teamwork makes the dream work.

This is ricocheted off of her shin over to Coryell.

And she does a great job of actually just burying it almost in the air, getting it out of her glove to gun it over to first.

She's got a cannon.

Like I said, as a former third baseman, I am impressed by what I have seen from the third baseman in this game tonight.

Both Coryell and Bryant over there in the hot corner.

And to go back to your point, I always love calling games with you because we're able to expound on deeper layers of the game.

Just not the surface level discussions.

Dorian Kraft Sydney Parlee.

Hey, just in case you guys didn't know this is us, you can't see us, but this is us.

I'm on your left.

Sydney is on your right in her Razorbacks uniform.

And yes, I'm going to toot my own horn here.

That is me on the left side of your screen with the 2007 ACC Championship Trophy and a SEC champion, you were playing corner.

She had power in her swing and a really great.

But we can't all be fast.

Some of us have to hit it over the fence to be able to get those home runs across Sydney, partly happy to have you with us here on the sixth and final state championship game for softball here on Champions Weekend at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway.

And a little bit of a blast from the past.

I'd love to dig for that.

You know, it's it's been longer ago than I would like to admit.

Kristen Ryan stepping into the box.

Oh, for one today puts it in play off the outside corner.

Slow roller over the short throw to first in time.

Another one, two three inning in the books.

As we head to the bottom of the fourth inning.

It is five.

Nothing.

Hackett you are watching the Centennial Bank state baseball softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports southern lock so proud sponsor of Arkansas PBS.

It is our mission to tell your story by adding color with our furniture.

And that's why Southern Lock is a different kind of furniture store.

For more information, go to my Southern loft.com.

I'll do whatever it takes to protect my family, and part of taking care of them is using a bank that takes care of us.

That's why I use Centennial Bank, a strong institution for an uncertain economy.

I know them and I trust them.

They have a strong financial foundation, which means that my money and our future is never in doubt.

Life is busy, and there's plenty of things to worry about.

My bank isn't one of them.

Centennial Bank, member FDIC, equal housing lender I'm going to start.

All.

Southern loft is a proud supporter of Arkansas PBS sports and our Arkansas student athletes.

Located at 3155 North College Avenue, suite 102, in Fayetteville.

Southern loft, a different kind of furniture store.

For more information, visit my southern loft.com.

Bottom of the fourth inning here on Farris Field.

First pitch swinging little number off the barrel.

And that is a tough play.

The throw not in time as Ava Meyer has a leadoff single.

And for Ava Bart Meyer getting jammed on this inside pitch.

Let's take another look at it.

This is in off of her handle, but it had just did not spin that.

When it hit the ground in front of Pomeroy over at second base, had just enough spin that enabled her to buy some time to get down the first base line.

Second straight inning for Hackett with the leadoff runner on.

Turns the lineup over for Morgan Coryell.

Oh for one today.

Groundout walked in the third.

Scored to run on the sacrifice fly by Kenzie Freeman.

Four hits today for Hackett, four for 15.

Two walks, a pair of extra base hits.

Both of their hits have come are two of their hits.

Rather have come with runners on.

They are Oh for five with runners in scoring position.

Despite the stat line.

And A20 count to the leadoff hitter, Coryell fouls it down the right field line.

That way.

Package path to the state final.

They beat Baptist Prep, the 2021 champion.

12.

Nothing in the opening round as that gets back just over the screen behind the plate.

And then a ten nothing win over Belvern in the quarterfinal.

It's an you mentioned it already, but that three one win over a team that knocked them out of the semifinal two years ago, that was one of those big emotional wins for this program.

Oh, and Adkins just being the dominant team that they are with high intensity.

That was a huge win to get Hackett to this state final game.

And in that in that Adkins game for Kenzie Freeman, she threw nine innings with only allowing two hits.

Obviously no earned runs, two walks, three strikeouts.

I mean to pitch nine innings with that much success.

That's what led them to that win.

This one.

We have seen some gutsy pitching performances throughout this state championship weekend.

All of these athletes and all of the athletes across the state, you know the level of talent you and I've talked about the depth of talent across the state.

Just so impressive.

Three two drop ball fouled away.

And it feels like Sydney, the more that we do this, the more talented players that we see, the more competitive games that we see.

They just keep getting better and better.

Absolutely.

And it's on both sides of the diamond.

It's pitching.

It's a defense.

It's the offense.

And you know a great portion of the girls of the games that we've called this weekend.

They're playing at the next level at big schools.

And extended at bat here.

For the leadoff hitter, Coryell.

The junior 20 doubles on the year for 666 home runs, 35 RBI out of the leadoff spot.

Those are ridiculous numbers out of your leadoff hitter.

And you know, typically for the leadoff hitter, you're just looking at that on base percentage, which being at 520, she's getting on base a lot.

And just that in itself, that's her doing her job in the one spot.

And then you just add the power numbers that you just stated.

It's pretty insane.

Junior third baseman fouls it back into the banner behind the plate.

One on no.

One out here in the bottom of the fourth inning, Hackett holding on to a five nothing lead.

They got one in the first plated four more in the third.

Payoff fouled away again.

And for Hackett they are attacking the rise ball.

They're doing such a great job of keeping their hands silent, keeping their hands up and getting their barrel out to that pitch, which is more so the bread and butter pitch of Morton's arsenal.

Morton will head to play collegiately at Mississippi State.

Payoff finally gets Corio via the strikeout.

Just the second key today for Morton, and after a strong battle, Morton ends up winning the battle against Corio.

Take a look at this rice ball.

She clears her hips, gets her hand underneath it in the spin.

It breaks right before the plate, starting at the letters first pitch swing.

You didn't even time you to finish your thought as it falls in.

Everybody is going to be safe.

As Oxford drops one into shallow left field.

Goal stop!

And so for Hackett, this is where you want to be.

Is Oxford off of the outside corner.

Just comes around that ball a bit.

Drops it into a shallow left field.

It will bring Mikey Freeman to the plate.

And on this play by Providence she did not get her body behind it.

The ball was too much to the left side of her body.

So they have marked it in the books as in seven.

So Oxford reaches on the air miles single to start the inning.

She advances to second.

In stands Micah Freeman.

Oh, for one walk in a fielder's choice.

She is scored both times, weighted on the offspeed.

There.

That was some pretty patience.

That is an adjustment on the offspeed pitch, so perfectly kept her hands back and enabled it to get deep.

That was a really great adjustment and a young players out there watching.

That was a great example of resetting as that's off the outside corner, because the key to hitting a change, because once you identify it to reset in your stance, to let it travel deep.

Absolutely.

And a lot of times we'll see young hitters and just hitters in general.

When you get the off-speed pitch, getting out on that front foot, one, two, back up the gut, they run a wave around the runner.

No play at the plate as Bart Meyer scores make it six.

Nothing in favor of Hackett as Freeman comes up with an RBI single.

And for Mickey Freeman, she saw the battle against the rise ball, the Off-speed pitch.

So for Brinkley Morton, she throws that screwball on the outer part of the plate, in which Freeman gets her barrel above it and just drives it right back to where it came from.

Runners on the corners.

Now for the Lady Hornets holding a six run advantage.

Kenzie Freeman, who has been responsible for two runs today, an RBI double, a sacrifice fly, a pair of RBI's, helping her own cause.

Trying to add to that here.

The one zero off the outside corner foul.

And you know, one thing that Coach Oxford was talking to us about Dorian, is just how locked in his team is, how locked and intentional they are with every pitch, every game.

And I'd have to say they are pretty locked in.

They certainly look that way.

So far.

The one one up and in, hit by pitch off of the hand as now the base is full of hornets and I need to correct myself.

I went back, I said Atkins, not hack it out of the semifinals in 2022.

It was ash down.

And you know you're talking about there's no one to miss.

He said he actually thought last year's loss to Boonville in the semifinal is what's made them locked in in this game.

Because they had beaten Boonville earlier in the season multiple times and then lost to them in the semi final as Boonville went on to win the title last year.

And so they know that it can happen, even if you've beaten the team multiple times in the same season.

Once you get to the playoffs, everything is different.

So this team said they are locked in.

They are not letting their foot off the pedal.

And he just said that it just it set the example with experiencing that last season.

It set the example for this season.

And Leyland Hobart the courtesy runner back in to run for Kenzie Freeman.

She was stranded on second base back in the first inning as Taylor Nichols, standing in the first pitch swinging, fouled back.

Ever been standing first pitch swings, but I would have to imagine it's close to 75% tonight for Hackett.

They're attacking first pitch strike all day long and that just leads to offensive success.

And I say it all the time.

I don't know what the percentages, but attacking first pitch strike more times are not going to lead you to having a successful at bat.

Oh one fouled away.

Listen, they don't pay us to keep the statistics.

They pay us to talk about what's happening.

So we'll like somebody else for that.

So if someone is out there stating that we love to have you, let us know.

Good job.

By Morton here.

Able to get ahead on Nichols three straight pitches.

Able to dispatch the catcher for the second out of the inning.

And for Morton, that curveball that she was able to so sharply break across the plate.

It actually started more on the inner half of the plate and then broke about a foot off the it brings to the plate.

Laney Correa with two away and bases loaded here in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Oh for two, popped out and reached on an error and scored in the third first pitch.

Bounced over to the left side.

Nice pick by Bryant and a good strong throw to get the out.

So the Lady Hornets load them up.

They only get one more, but it is still a six run lead for Hackett.

As we go to the top of the fifth inning.

You're watching the Centennial Bank state baseball and softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

Fabian Cross over $1,500 a year.

So, Phoebe, there goes that new gaming system where then you run bike Escape to learn more about the hazards of vaping at Project Prevent a Fraud.

Attention sports enthusiast.

Get ready to be amazed by summer.

Which sports complex?

The new state of the art facility in Bryant.

Our facility offers up to four courts spread across two spacious gyms conveniently located off Interstate 30 in Bryant.

Whether you're a team seeking tournament glory or an individual looking to elevate your skills, summer sports has got you covered.

Discover more about our cutting edge facility and check availability at Summer Wood Sports.com and.

Get.

Welcome back to the three eight state championship game.

This has been an offensive slugfest for Hackett.

They got to go in early.

They got it going early.

And it was Kinsey Freeman that got things started.

She stepped up in a big moment, lofting the ball into left field that ended up being secured and caught.

And then from there, it was Mikey Freeman with the big RBI double.

And it just to add more run support.

It was the big blast off of the fence by Laney Coryell.

You see her give a head nod there.

And then the driven ball that was back up the middle.

But Thornburg it just has been an offense production all day long so far for the Hackett team.

The Lady Hornets cruising here in the top of the fifth inning, but dropped a good read as Correa lets it roll.

Foul.

It was a nice idea, though, from the four hole hitter Amber Bryant trying to catch the Lady Hornets defense, sleeping.

Very good idea.

And especially with the corners playing back about back high.

That's one way to get some offensive production going in the positioning on the corners has changed over the years because with the bat technology it's coming off harder.

You have to play your corners back just a little bit.

Not everyone plays midway up the line like Hannah Gamble does up at Arkansas, like I used to do back in the day.

You have to protect yourself a little bit, so you're playing more like a baseball style defense where your corner is a great example there.

Your corners are backed up one one lifted down the right field line, but just out of play on to the concrete.

And you're right, the technology of the bats nowadays with how hard the ball comes off, I mean, it is a completely different ballgame.

You've heard me say multiple times, I'd love to go hit with it.

Easton ghost.

Now listen, I was in that transitional period once the ghost became the thing in the second, we were so blessed to have it for our team that I was like, oh, I'm going to get this one to offspeed.

Swung on and missed for the first out of the inning.

The second time today that Bryant has been retired via the strikeout.

And for Kinzie Freeman's offspeed pitch, not only is it offspeed, but it also drops.

There is such a speed variation between the drop ball that she throws with a little bit more ease behind it, and then the offspeed drop.

Fifth strikeout of the day for Freeman.

Starts off Morgan Rice with a strike on the outside corner.

Rice popped out to first base and her first at bat drop ball goes after.

That's a good swing on a South pitch.

Great swing on that low and out drop ball she kept.

What?

What?

I say she kept her belly button, her chest on it.

She got her barrel down to it.

That's how you want to attack that low outside pitch.

Freeman able to get ahead the count O2 hasn't had a ton of O2 counts today.

Swung on and missed back to back.

Strike it outs.

Make it number six for the hack hurler for Kinzie Freeman it is just K's all day.

Let's take another look at this pitch.

The curveball on the outer part of the plate.

She's able just to paint it on that outside corner.

Cruising through the Lady Wolves.

Order two away in the top of the fifth inning.

Six run Hackett lead as the first pitch to Addie Pursell off the outside corner for a ball.

Hershel oh for one, grounded out to second to end the second inning.

Highly touted recruit in the class of 2025 is partial patient.

I hear two oh.

Hershel, considered one of the top players in the state of Arkansas in her sophomore season.

She played centerfield a year ago before moving behind the plate, put a play to the right side fielded over the first one, two, three inning.

We head to the home half of the fifth.

Six nothing lady Hornets, you're watching the Centennial Bank, state baseball and softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

Many people will experience orthopedic or spine issues in their lifetime, and the pain that goes along with that to make you feel, well, like a shadow of yourself.

At the new Orthopedic and Spine Hospital at UAMs health, we are dedicated to providing Arkansans with a brighter future they deserve.

After years of dealing with extreme pain.

Thanks to visiting UAMs health, I'm able to do things physically that I never thought I'd be able to do again.

Choose UAMs health for a better state of health.

Arkansas PBS needs to add 2500 new members by June 30th.

If we succeed, we receive a gift of $45,000.

We are just over halfway there, but with less than two months remaining, we need your help.

If you are already a member, thank you.

If you're not, your donation moves us one step closer to that $45,000 gift.

Visit Arkansas pbs.org and donate today.

For a copy of any of the state championship games, go to M and M productions dot net to place your order.

Bottom of the fifth inning here at Berries Field at Natalee Shock Stadium.

Dorian Kraft Cindy Parlee happy to have you with us on this sixth and final softball state championship on this Champions weekend.

These three a final has been all Hackett up to this point.

Six nothing in favor of the Lady Hornets.

They scored in the first, third and fourth.

Although Lincoln working out of a jam in the fourth inning, Hackett had the bases loaded, only able to push one run across as a first pitch strike delivered to the first baseman Ava Thornberg.

Thornberg doubled off of the fence in her last at back.

Two for two today, in fact, for Thornberg, she singled in the second inning, doubled in the third.

Thornberg just a freshman.

This is a mixed bag of classman for Hackett.

You have the juniors.

Only a couple of seniors in Nichols in Coryell, that's Lady Coryell or Sister Morgan, just a junior.

You have a couple of freshmen in the mix as well.

You have Thornberg at first, you have Reeser out in right field as freshman.

Brinkley Morton still working in the circle.

The two one gets her to swing through it.

Two and two.

And when you have that good mixture of veterans that are understanding, you know of the situation and have the experience, and then the freshmen that have come in and have stepped up big for the team.

It's a really good balance of having that older and younger talent.

I would go for 81st pitch of the night for Morton through the middle.

Tapped open to the right side collected by Bryant.

Throw is low.

Kicks up.

Can't be handled as Thornberg reaches on the air.

This is one thing that Hackett's been doing offensively.

Let's take another look at the swing by Thornberg.

She gets her barrel on top of this pitch, rolls it over to Bryant at third base.

And for Bryant it was such a good play getting her momentum through it.

It looked as though she slipped a little bit on the throw over to first to Ryan just wasn't able to get a handle on it.

But this is something for this Hackett offense.

They've been making the most of the defensive miscues and a lot of times that's what this game is about, is taking advantage of your opportunities.

And more often than not, those do tend to come in the form of freebies, errors.

And the higher that you get, the more the magnitude of the game, the more those mistakes get magnified and taken advantage of by your opponent.

One thing that Coach Matt Michael always harped on us about at Arkansas was the ability to just simply play a high level of catch, and the way that we would warm up.

I know it sounds so simple, but the way that we would warm up before practice, before a game, that was the biggest emphasis for our defense, and that's just always been something that stuck out to me.

The two one to either stays low and in three and one.

I'll call up Bull Durham for you.

You see the ball, you hit the ball, you catch the ball, you throw the ball.

That's what the game comes down to.

The three one swung on and missed.

That is a pretty pitch there for Morton.

That low rise by Morton.

She's been staying lower in the zone away from the Hackett hitters.

But that low rise has such a sharp break just enough to get under the barrel.

Payoff pitch swung on and missed throw back to first.

Not in time as Thornberg is there, but another strikeout for Morton.

One away as Eva Bartlett stands to the plate, who singled and scored in the fourth.

And for Morton, she just goes back to back rise balls and just ever so slightly climbs the ladder.

I think you've hit on a couple of good points when it comes to Brinkley.

Morton as the bunt going to be bunted off of Bart Myers, but she's in the box, so it's a foul ball.

But you're seeing why Morton is a highly touted Mississippi State recruit going to play Division one in the SEC, which I will defend anyone to the death, that it is the most difficult conference in the country, but it's the ability to throw the pitches on a multiple plane or.

Through the plate is that one bunted back.

But you talk about a low rise and a drop ball that stays up.

And so all of these pitches can be executed at different portions of the strike zone.

They move in multiple directions.

And that is one of the things that makes hitting elite pitchers so difficult.

Absolutely.

It's what's going to make her successful at the next level is the ability to not only throw, and you just hit the nail on the head, and to not only throw the ball on both sides of the plate, but it's the different levels at which she can do that.

Oh two back up the middle.

Get the first out.

At first it skips away over at first base, able to erase the leadoff runner.

Not sure they would have had a play on Bart Meyer regardless, but they do get the leadoff runner.

But the throw goes out of bounds, so a dead ball advances the runner over to second base.

Bart Meyer, now standing in scoring position, holding.

Let's take another look at this ball.

Hit right back at Morton.

Very good turn to get her body in perfect position to get the throw over to Remington at second base.

And here she comes across the bag a little bit of some getting slid into to not be able to stay on her feet for the throw.

First pitch.

Big shot there from Corio Portillo for two today.

A groundout walked and scored and a strikeout in the fourth.

That's the one thing about playing on turf versus grass and dirt.

That ball is going to kick away a little bit faster, lifted down the right field line just inside and it kicks away.

It's going to get into the corner.

Coryell is running.

She's turning for third.

She's being waved all the way around.

Caudill to the plate.

The throw not in time Morgan Coryell around the horn.

It is eight.

Nothing.

Hackett.

And for Morgan Coryell just displaying the wheels that she has making the most of her pop up to right field.

And how about a two out two run RBI in the park home run.

Let's take another look at this week.

It's a drop ball that she just slices her barrel across it gets in front of Beek's in right field.

And then from there, once it hits the ground in front of Beeks, it kicks away.

Foul ball just off of the glove of Bryant over at third base.

And we talked about at UCA field such a beautiful field and facility.

But it has that extra foul space.

so when the ball does get into that territory there's extra space there on the sides and there's extra space down the lines here at Ferris Field for players you're not super familiar with it or people watching.

You may not be familiar.

The purple is in play.

And what a snag over there at first by Ryan to get Lincoln out of the inning.

But Hackett tax on two more.

It is eight.

Nothing lady Hornets we go to the sixth inning.

You're watching the Centennial Bank state baseball softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

It's prime time on your time.

Get more of your prime time favorites each weekday, starting at 130.

Following our PBS kids programs.

Catch up on all the programs you love, including exploring Arkansas, nature, Antiques Roadshow, Arkansas Week, British Favorites, mysteries, and more.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

See the full schedule and all the ways to watch at my Arkansas PBS Dawgs watch.

Sustaining membership is an easy canvas and affordable way for you to support the programs you love on Arkansas PBS.

Sustaining members make an ongoing monthly contribution from either their checking account or credit card.

Simply choose the monthly amount that fits your budget and then call or go online and we'll set it up for you.

Your donation will happen automatically each month, so your support will always be current.

You need to make a change to your monthly gift.

Just call or email us.

You're always in control, knowing we can count on a certain amount of revenue each month helps Arkansas PBS better plan for the future.

Call or go online to start your sustaining membership right now.

Let me take you for a ride on the big slide.

Let's go.

Legion scaffold is a proud supporter of Arkansas PBS sports.

Located at 1021 Hemlock Street in North Little Rock, visit Legion scaffold.com for more information, but shown here at the top of the sixth inning.

7892 up for the Lady Wolves.

It is Lauren Remington, Zella Pomeroy and Jacey Province do up.

Remington popped up to first base in her first at bat.

Freeman missing Lowe evens account at one and one.

The pitch tapped over to the left side, collected by Claudia Dart.

Over to first base.

That is a strong throw.

And for Coryell, she has been a vacuum for all six innings thus far.

She does such a great job of keeping your glove low, and her momentum through the ball blows a little kiss in the dugout as well.

And listen, as a third baseman, I think it's more prevalent for third baseman than it is for shortstops.

Just because you're playing a little bit closer into the plate, that ball gets on you so quickly.

A lot of times you will see third baseman come up and they either as the first pitch misses low, they'll either double clutch or a lot of times they can make an error because your brain tells you you have less time than you actually have.

As you can see the runner moving down the base line.

But you have to remember that you can throw faster than anybody can run.

Absolutely.

The one zero fouled right back into the screen did not miss that pitch by much.

Did Zella Pomeroy, the second baseman for the Lady Wolves.

Senior standing in.

Oh for one today with a strikeout in the third one.

One drop ball swung through one and two.

Now that drop ball that just starts at the lower half of the zone and then dives down to compare it.

It reminds me of a shiny stealth drop ball.

That is some high praise right there.

We've had a comparison to Robin Heron with the rise ball this week.

Giannis does is that one skips of course.

And he's playing in the doing very well with the sparks I believe she is actually this summer going to be playing for the Long Island team.

That was just established with Lenny Malkin.

But enough.

I did not mean to competition in this way, but she started her career at Tulsa Kinzie Freeman as a commit of Tulsa great program.

I believe they've got their coaching change.

Those instances was there versus now have been yes they have.

It's hard to keep track.

It's like conference realignment.

There's so much movement nowadays within the sport as the count is full to Pomeroy.

Second full count of the day for free.

But the payoff tapped foul.

Freeman just a junior.

So still another year to develop at this level as well before heading off to play collegiately.

Three two.

Yeah it off the outside corner.

And that breaks up the perfect game for Kenzie Freeman.

She had not allowed a base runner up to this point.

No no still intact.

But that is the first base runner of the night for Lincoln.

And we were not going to put it into existence.

But like you said, the no no still intact, but for the perfect game, that very borderline pitch that Kinzie Freeman just threw.

I'm pretty sure Kenzie Freeman will be happy with the state title, even if she doesn't get the perfect game or the no, no, I was just about to tell you that she may have thought about it, but probably the perfect game may not even be crossing her mind right now.

A lot of times with players and coaches for things like that, they don't even know.

What do you tell the stories?

They were so locked in.

But it does put a runner on for Lincoln here in the top of the sixth inning.

Jesse Providence standing in oh for one shows but puts it on the ground.

It's a good one.

The only play is to first.

Another good play by Morgan Coryell as the runner advances into scoring position.

And for Coryell being on the hot corner, she is so agile on her feet.

Let's take another look at this province all day long is getting the sac bunt down.

She does a great job of keeping her barrel high.

But for Coryell, just so agile over there at third and the strength that she has in her arm.

Coryell just a sophomore as well.

So you have to imagine as she develops she's going to be getting some looks, especially regionally with some teams, especially those moving into the conference in the next year.

That's going to make things fun.

Don't look at me like who?

You know, Texas, Oklahoma.

Moving into the SEC.

But you oh no.

That oh one to the leadoff hitter Hannah Remington.

Now that is going to be a doozy.

And I agree with you because I played in the SEC.

It is the hardest conference.

And then you're going to add Oklahoma.

Texas wasn't it wasn't when I played the Pac 12 was still the power back in the day as the one one misses off the outside part of the plate.

It's a shame the Pac 12 is going away.

I've lamented this loud and long.

But still great softball.

So many of these players you love to see, and we've talked about it on other broadcast.

These players that are playing here, going out and getting to shine on a national stage, as we will see with Brinkley, Morton going to Mississippi State, you put together a fantastic year, by the way.

The Bulldogs shocking a lot of people in the conference.

Yes.

And Mississippi State just that consistent program that year after year.

They're just so competitive and an extremely gritty team.

So Brink Morton is definitely going to fit in with that culture there at Mississippi State.

Three one count to Hannah Remington here in the top of the sixth inning, Zella Pomeroy worked the first walk issued by Kenzie Freeman.

The first baserunner of the day for the Lady Wolves, three one.

So a pair of walks in this inning as the Lady Wolves trying to mount a late inning comeback here against Hackett.

And it will bring to the plate Brinkley Morton, who is zero for two today but drove a ball off of the knee of Kenzie Freeman in her last about the ricocheted directly to Cornell for the 153 and a very solid piece of hitting by Brinkley, Morton and just in the last three at bats.

What we're seeing from this Lincoln offense is they have made adjustments offensively.

They've made adjustments in the positioning that they're standing in within the box.

But then also the patience of not swinging at balls that are outside of the strike zone.

Morton looks at a first pitch curveball, called for a strike on the black.

So a runner in scoring position for the Lady Wolves as Pomeroy stands on second, tapped foul oh two.

Two.

Away here in the top of the sixth inning, Remington grounded out to third to start it.

A walk to Pomeroy by province to put Pomeroy over on second, and then a two out walk drawn by Hannah Remington as the oh two chase downstairs just gets a piece to stay alive.

Just enough to stay alive.

A little bit aggressive in this at bat on the balls that are down and out of the zone.

Pitcher on pitcher.

As Freeman steps off the rubber.

The O2 off the outside corner.

It's one of these.

And we talked about with the Freeman sisters playing travel ball with Brinkley Morton.

When you're pitching against players that you know so well there's always that mental aspect of it as well.

Because you know that I know that they know what's coming as the one two Taft over to the right side rolled to first.

Not in time.

Morton legs it out.

Runners go station to station.

Two out.

Rally here for Lincoln and for Brinkley.

Morton being down in the count.

She gets a piece of this low outside drop ball driving it enough to the right side of Lily Oxford over at second base.

Oxford was more shaded towards the first base.

So the first hit of the day for Lincoln.

Perfect game is gone in this inning.

No.

No is gone in this inning.

And now the Lady Wolves threatening here in the top of the sixth inning as around the base passed.

Zoe Pomeroy, the pinch runner is over at third, Hannah Remington is at second, and Brinkley Morton standing at first, with Kristen Ryan coming to the plate, who is zero for two today.

But Ryan 406 on the year coming into today for 71 on base, ten doubles, a triple, 35 RBI on the season.

You hear the Lincoln crowd getting into it here at Ferris Field.

First pitch strike on the outside corner.

And for Kristen Ryan, you talked about the numbers that just pop off of the page.

But again with runners in scoring position batting 460 on the season, the oh one in the turf.

Good job.

Behind the plate by Nichols.

On your North.

Bases full of lady wolves here in the sixth one.

One off the outside corner.

Two and one.

And a game that had been going so smoothly for Hackett up until this point.

Now, the first hint of a bump in Lincoln offensively has truly stayed the course.

And they're at bats making adjustments.

The two one off the outside corner three and one as Ryan showing a ton of patience here in a big moment for Lincoln.

If you're the lady Wolves all you need you're down to your final four outs.

But you need a spark way you can get it three one lifted foul and out of play.

That was a good pitch to go after as it was on down the hard at the plate.

So three two to the number three hitter in the order.

The senior first baseman standing in trying to get her team on the board.

The payoff line in the left field.

One run is in another run will come in and they throw behind Brinkley at second.

She is safe as Ryan comes through with a two out, two RBI single and Kirsten Ryan doing what she does best having that clutch moment.

Bases loaded, two outs, full count.

This ball's on the outer part of the plate.

She gets a great jump on it with such quick hands.

Her bill gets out and around it, driving it to left field for two RBI, two out, two RBI single.

Lincoln has life here in the top of the second as they have broken up the perfect game by Kenzie Freeman.

They chased the no.

No.

And now they have plated two runs on and the inning continues with Amber Bryant.

Oh for two today with a pair of strikeouts.

One zero swings through the dropped ball one and one.

And in this game it's all about staying the course.

They've stayed the course on the offensive side throughout their bats, and the more information that you gain, the more that you understand what adjustments need to be made.

The one one swung on and missed one and two.

In the game of softball, anything can happen.

Look no further than last year's six eight title game between Cabot and Bryant.

That one back and forth in the seventh inning as teams trading multiple runs.

One two swung on and missed.

Freeman gets out of the inning, but not before the Lady Wolves push to across.

It's a six run Hackett lead as they come to the plate in the bottom of the sixth, you're watching the Centennial Bank state baseball and softball championships on Arkansas PBS sports.

Civics education empowers us to be well-informed, active citizens and gives us the opportunity to change the world.

Our educators have created tools for parents and teachers to help guide and engage children through the civics process during this election year.

Discover ways to talk with your child about being a good citizen and how you can explore elections together.

With resources available at my Arkansas pbs.org/civics.

This month on Arkansas PBS.

Yeah, I was actually right behind Jimi Hendrix's bell bottom there.

So the 70s fashion blocked your head out of that guy from bondage to battle.

What do you make of him?

It changes the game for my family.

I wish the American public understood war and the way warriors understand war.

It's not just another job.

You're going in a hot area and someone's going to die.

Only on Arkansas PBS.

One.

Two.

Three.

Hello?

It's going up in.

As the official orthopedics and sports medicine provider for Razorback athletics.

UAMs health provides orthopedic care, sports medicine expertise, therapy and support to athletic programs, organizations, and events across the state.

UAMs health, orthopedics and sports medicine with conveniently located clinics in central and northwest Arkansas.

Bottom of the sixth inning, Lincoln plated two in the top half as Brinkley Morton goes back to work here in the bottom of the sixth.

First pitch, swinging off the outside part of the plate, dropped in for a leadoff single by Mikey Freeman as Mikey Freeman able to get to second.

The aggressive baserunning continuing for the Hackett Lady Hornets, incredibly aggressive around the base path, and for Mikey Freeman, four for four on the day of being on base.

Three for three with hits.

She gets just enough of this outside pitch.

Such short, quick hands to contact the extension to get the double out of the box brings Kenzie Freeman to the plate.

Ball gets to the batter.

There goes Freeman over to third.

Big turn around the back.

She'll go back to the base.

So advances on the wild pitch and now stands just 60ft away as Kenzie Freeman who is one for one today, doubled in Mikey Freeman in the first sacrifice fly to bring in Coryell in the third, and then was hit by a pitch as that stays on the outside.

To throw line over to the right side off of the glove.

Freeman is safe.

Mikey Freeman will score as Hackett gets one back here in the sixth.

And for Kinzie Freeman, that was great situational hitting right there, pulling the ball to the right side of the field with no outs and her sister on third base.

Let's take a look at the swing by Kinzie Freeman.

She does get jammed but just gets enough around it to pull it to the right side.

That's a situational hitting right there that you want to see.

Good baserunning there from Mikey Freeman.

That was a great shot of it.

Froze on the line, which you're supposed to do.

And then advanced as that one found in an off the face cage.

Taylor Nichols.

Oh, for three today, a pair of strikeouts.

A fielder's choice did score back in the third.

Nichols shows, but I pulls back and takes the ball high and out.

And that's one thing that Nichols has been showing today, where she squares around a bunt and pulls back, and she's just doing that as that enables her to track the ball and see the pitch better.

Cue ball off of the end of the bat.

This one's going to be trouble.

Great play from Morton, but the throw can't be handled.

Runners advancing.

There's chaos on the basepaths.

But Freeman will eventually make her way over to third.

Excuse me.

That is the courtesy runner for Freeman.

So that is Layton Holmberg who is running in place of Kenzie Freeman.

She's on third and now Taylor Nichols is on second.

And this ball just off the end of the barrel had a lot of spin on it.

But for Brinkley Morton getting off of the rubber and hustling over there to make the play.

I applaud her effort.

Just not able to get the ball out of her glove and flipped it enough time to run.

Those are always the toughest plays because they in no man's land, so you have to try and make the effort.

Otherwise it will be an infield single.

And Morton got off of the rubber.

Well, I have been impressed with how athletic she is getting off of the circle.

She comes inside, skips away.

Here comes the runners.

Homer is safe.

It is 10 to 2 by the Lady Hornets as Nichols moves to third.

Hackett, with a resounding offense to the explosion here in the bottom of the sixth inning as they lead by eight.

In Arkansas, it is ten after five, so two more runs for Hackett.

If they want to invoke the run rule two oh misses high.

So a ten two lead.

It would have to be 12 two.

Here's the rules for Arkansas State softball.

Game ends after 315 or more.

After five innings or beyond.

If a team is up by ten or more, that does invoke the run rule is that pitch misses up and now the bases are loaded.

No one is out in the bottom of the sixth inning, Laney Corio.

Draws the walk.

Eva Thornberg standing in, going five for third and Thornberg.

It has been a good day.

She has been on the bases all three times.

A single a double reached on an error by.

And now, with an RBI opportunity as runners are on the corners.

It's Nichols at third.

Coryell over at first.

First pitch swinging on the rise.

Runner on the move.

Thought they might catch Nichols unaware off to third but she stays put.

Runner advances into scoring position.

So what would in fact be.

The game winning run is now on second line down to left center field.

This has got to do it.

Corio being weighed around.

Hackett raises the title.

They don't even realize it's over yet.

That's the game.

A ten run rule.

In effect, the Lady Hornets come out on fire.

And for the first time in program history, Hackett are the state champions.

And for even Thornberg, she seals the deal with a blast to left center field gap in for Kenzie Freeman.

She was so poised in the circle and a total pitching performance one through nine.

This Hackett offense applied the pressure all game.

Hackett, Lady Hornets your three eight state champions.

We're going to take a break here at Ferris Field.

Don't go anywhere.

We will be back with highlights in the trophy presentation when we return here on Arkansas PBS sports.

The electric Cooperatives of Arkansas over 2500 team members across 17 local electric distribution co-ops powering homes, farms and industries somewhere across Arkansas.

We are the electric cooperatives of Arkansas power and people.

Looks like we have some new help in the marketing department.

Action.

Hi.

I'm to the area with Everett UPMC.

I think you can work out here and find others.

How do you do it?

Family and customer friends.

Family on both friendly countryside Everett Buick GMC I at at power exit but bus everybody when you choose Conway regional you're choosing a health care partner rooted in your community.

With nine primary care locations in five counties, we believe in building lasting relationships, center on trust and personalized care.

But our family care for years.

For every moment, for every memory from that first car to your first home, to your first child, and all the highs and lows that tomorrow might break.

For everything that matters most to you and your family.

There's someone right around the corner dedicated to helping you protect what you love.

Your local Farm Bureau insurance agent.

Farm bureau.

Insurance.

Real service, real people.

Southern lock the proud sponsor of Arkansas PBS.

It is our mission to tell your story by adding color with our furniture.

And that's why southern Rock is a different kind of furniture store.

For more information, go to my Southern loft.com.

I'll do whatever it takes to protect my family, and part of taking care of them is using a bank that takes care of us.

That's why I use Centennial Bank, a strong institution for an uncertain economy.

I know them and I trust them.

They have a strong financial foundation, which means that my money and our future is never in doubt.

Life is busy, and there's plenty of things to worry about.

My bank isn't one of them.

Centennial Bank, member FDIC, equal housing lender at the new Orthopedic and Spine Hospital at UAMs health.

We are dedicated to providing our Kansans with a brighter future they deserve.

Thanks to you and this health.

I am dancing through life.

Vaping costs over $1,500 a year.

So if you vape, there goes that new gaming system.

Well, then you run bike escape.

Learn more about the hazards of vaping at Project Prevent a Fraud.

Attention sports enthusiast.

Get ready to be amazed by summer with sports complex.

The new state of the art facility in Bryant.

Our facility offers up to four courts spread across two spacious gyms conveniently located off Interstate 30 in Bryant.

Whether you're a team seeking tournament glory or an individual looking to elevate your skills, Summer with sports has got you covered.

Discover more about our cutting edge facility and check availability at Summer Wood Sports.com.

We are going to start!

Hackett was a team on a mission, and the Lady Hornets raised the state championship trophy for the first time in program history.

They capture the three eight title.

And really, Sydney, this one was an offensive explosion.

They came out swinging early and one through nine.

It just was hit after hit, making the most of their moments in time.

And it all was in the fifth inning for Coryell.

She got the big time in the park home run that just added more run support.

Was she the wheels around the base?

She slid in successfully.

And then it was Lincoln that fought back on a full count.

Ryan got a big two RBI out single.

There was two outs on the board, a full count she found a way to drive into.

And then this big swing by Kenzie Freeman to add more run support.

Excuse me, it was Thornberg that got the walk off.

She had a three for four day.

They didn't even know what happened at first and then realized Thornberg had the walk off, but a big three for four day for Thornberg, big three for four a day for Thornberg behind a six inning gem from Mackenzie Freeman, who picks up the win.

She scattered two hits over six complete innings, two runs, two walks, seven strikeouts for the junior inside the circle on an economical 86 pitches to pick up their first ever state championship win in program history and this may be the final softball game of championship weekends.

But do not worry, there is a baseball game on deck tomorrow.

They could not play the five a baseball championship yesterday due to inclement weather, so it has been moved.

It is coming up tomorrow on Sunday.

First pitch for Bear Stadium coming up at 205.

The broadcast will begin at 2:00.

So extra innings, shall we say.

We will extend the champions weekend here in Conway on the University of Central Arkansas campus.

So for Sidney Parlee, our entire crew, I'm Dorian Kraft saying so long from Ferris Field at Natalie Schock Stadium, where the final score is Hackett 12, Lincoln two.

This has been a presentation of Arkansas PBS sports.

The.