The sun is out.

It is a beautiful day in Benton, AR, as it's the one day title game between Taylor and Nemo Vista here at the Benton Athletic Complex.

I'm RJ hawk with Hayden Belgavi and Hayden.

We've had some great baseball games on day one.

We had the two a game.

We had the six eight game.

This one is bound to be just as good as those first two that we saw.

If it's as entertaining as any of those we're in store for a great afternoon here and I always talk about the one day classification you can look at it on paper and see.

Sure, as it's small town, whatever, no, this is the most fun classification because I think if you were not here, the towns are probably empty right now because everybody is here to see these two teams meet and it is going to be so much fun to see these guys get together, play a little baseball and RJ the excitement level is through the roof.

No, it really isn't.

Taylor is a team that is rich in tradition.

They've been to the title game year after year after year.

In fact, this is a tailor team that's won eleven of their last twelve games, and really, they're just steeped in their tradition.

Once scored, they're they're not short on that 264 run scored this year.

They they're great at the plane.

They're really good on the mound and and I would imagine to your point, you look out being that Taylor softball player just played well.

They won a championship an hour ago.

Yeah, I mean all those.

Folks came from the softball complex right over to baseball.

It's gonna be a lot of fun too, and I love the professional approach that both these teams take.

We're able to watch them warm up over the past 30 minutes over the past hour.

These are like 2 pro baseball teams baseball.

It is the town.

It's exactly what these folks have dreamed of, especially and these seniors too.

They want to go out on top when a championship and it's going to be a fun one.

Well, Nemo Vista on the other side of the diamond.

They're having a heck of a year as well.

They come out of the Class 41A and this is a team that scores.

That they've scored 211 runs this year and they've been this title game three times, but the last title was 1996.

This is the team that that they're really they.

They feel like this could be the year that they get it done.

I wonder how many folks have already talked to them about the legacy of that team all the way back in the day and how they can really make their mark and be in the history books.

How do you put that to the side on a day like today when you know that these two teams are going to give it everything that they have?

But how do you settle the nerves?

Because this is going to be a crowd in an atmosphere.

That most of the year they have not seen before.

Well, you know I and I talked so much about how Taylor has won eleven of their last 12, right?

Well, Nemo Vista has won their last eight and thinking back to the Washitaw game.

So the only team that Taylor has lost to in Class 1A this year was washed off, right?

It was an 8 to 7 game.

Well, during the season Nemo Vista played Washington twice, lost by a combined 30 to 4 right to wash them.

Then the state tournament rolls around.

And they got some revenge as they beat Washitaw 6 to one.

So you know they've never played each other.

That being Taylor Nemo Vista.

But you got a lot of comparables there that they can go off of crazy too, right?

The first time you're experiencing this sort of atmosphere and seeing these guys for the first time is in the biggest game of your life so far in the revenge factor.

Can they carry that over from that huge semifinal victory last week?

It probably felt like a state championship victory when they took down Washita.

Can they keep that momentum going and take care of Business Today it's going to be fun.

OK, let's go ahead and give you the story laps today as both teams are being introduced to the field, we will first start with the visitors.

That is Taylor the Taylor Tigers.

They come in in 18, four and two on the year.

That's right, they had two ties this year to Murphysboro and hope that's where the two ties came from.

But their lineup looks like this.

They'll have Peyton Smith, the second baseman leading things off at shortstop rain Cranford his batting second.

The pitcher today is Josh Lindsay.

He'll be in the three hole.

The cleanup hitter is the third baseman.

Preston Smith.

Wayland woodell.

He's the left.

Killer, as he'll be batting 5th.

The catcher today is Mason Lindsay batting 6 batting.

7th is the DH gate.

Ryan the center fielders Jake Petrie and batting 9th is the third baseman.

Aiden Hosley the defensive alignment for Nemo Vista across the infield.

You've got Cordell Sims at third base.

Patrick Perry at short Caleb Freeman at 2nd and Josh Macklin is over at first base in the outfield.

You've got Jude Condrey in left field Logan Harper and center and Bend to Salvo in right.

Killed and the battery today for Nemo Vista.

Wesley Honeycutt is on the mound for Nemo Vista with Jax Andrews behind the plate and for Honeycutt.

He is there.

Stud 7 and three on the year with a .855 ERA.

He's had 121 K with 18 walks.

He's committed to go to South Arkansas and play his baseball career.

So this is a very good picture that Nemo Vista has on the mound today.

I always wonder about guys who were knowing that they're gonna play their final in all likelihood.

Baseball game ever.

But he's got a future he's heading to the GAC to pitch, so maybe not as much pressure as he gets ready to take on this incredibly talented offense.

So you mentioned two RJ these guys score they are not afraid to put it in play.

They can score runs and they've got power too.

So really excited to see.

Especially when Lindsey is able to get on the mound.

How honeycutt's going to do as well?

How do you settle those nerves?

Can you battle around?

Can you get around this lineup and really navigate?

The important thing is to I think that first pitch that first at bat.

It's really going to set the tempo and understand what kind of ball game we have.

I wouldn't be completely shocked if we had a ball game that lasted maybe 90 minutes in a one to nothing, just to be the polar opposite of what these two offense are.

These two offenses have done all season long, but man, I I'm excited to see how we get this thing going pretty soon.

Today is the umpires.

You've got Brian Tackett behind the plate at first base.

You've got Keith Greenfield, and at third base you've got Brandon Fitz and that is your officiating.

Through for today, it is an absolutely gorgeous day here in Benton.

As the you've got a little bit of overcast, but a strong breeze blowing out to right field.

Today we had a little bit of wind yesterday, only saw one home run yesterday, but the wind today is a lot stronger.

Going out to Ryan Field.

Plenty of offense last night too.

We talked about that great ball game between Conway and Bentonville.

It's crazy just to see that one home run, but you're right, the wind is going to be a factor today and I'm kind of wondering just looking at the outfield too.

You can see the flag in deep right field.

It is blowing to the left.

Is that going to carry?

These offense is going to get a little bit of momentum if they lift that ball into the air, we're about ready for baseball though.

RJ temperature at game time 84 degrees as we get ready to go in Wesley Honeycutt, the pitcher for today.

Our excuse me.

No, that is actually Peyton Smith.

The left handed batter.

He's playing second base today, batting 457 with five home runs and 31 RBI.

Here's the one.

Oh, it's found back and it's one in one.

You can kind of already see for the Red Hawks trying to get that momentum honeycut 1 to bring the heat understand set the tempo with his fastball and already you see the ball sort of thrown back to honeycup maybe a little bit of nerves to start this ball game, but I'm sure everybody will settle down soon.

Here's a nice change up at 73 miles an hour to bring the count to one and two, and you know that's one thing talking with Kyler, Marty, the head coach of Nemo Vista, he said, honey cuts a guy that he's got a good fastball, but they can really change it up on you as you see one with the cue shot out to shortstop and a nice speedy paint Smiths able to outrun it.

Be the first base runner and the first base of the ball game.

You could see that was trouble right off the bat for this Red Hawks defense and already we're talking about the.

Impact that Peyton Smith has on this ball game.

You don't have to hit it out of the ballpark.

You don't have to rip it down the line you put it in.

Play Smith speed already.

Giving Taylor an advantage as they got one on with nobody out rain Cranford the shortstops up next.

Batting 435 on the season with 23 RBI.

Got a baseball loose over here.

Going back to the Taylor dugout and again, you just love to see settle in.

Get the nerve settled a great job by Smith to get on 1st and now out of the stretch.

We'll see how Nemo Vista can get out of an early jam.

Bon attempt was on, but it's outside.

It's wanna know if you look across the outfield for this ball game down the left field line.

It's three 2355 and the gaps 375 to dead center field and 3:20 down the right field line.

Big Gap right now in left center as the bonds laid down the first base side.

There's nobody there.

Nobody at the bag.

They're runners at first and second after the infield hit.

Now nobody's at third.

They make a nice throw in a diving.

Well, he's out.

Great job by the 3rd baseman Cordell Sims for Nemo Vista.

There was nobody at third base.

He caught it like a wide receiver to go make that tag well and if you're tailored too, if you would have told you about 10 seconds ago, you get a bunch down a runner on second with one out.

I think you take it, but Taylor, unfortunately for them runs right into and out.

You love the speed.

You love the hustle and determination by Smith there, but you got to be smart, know out you're rounding second and that's just a great play by the defense and excellent job.

So now Taylor.

Looking at one on was a runner on 2nd Josh Lindsey at the plate.

He'll put this one in play in the center field.

It'll be in shallow center coming in as Harper and he'll make the catch for the second out.

Yeah, really nice job there by Honeycutt.

One pitch to get one out when it looked like disaster for Nemo Vista.

Just about 2 minutes ago.

A really heads up play and now RJ looked like it was being runners on the corners with nobody out and honey cuts one out away from getting out of here.

Preston Smith.

The four hole hitters at the playback playing third base today, batting 441 on the season, has had four home runs and 37 RBI.

Antwan Swan lifted out to left field and it'll be down for a base hit and past the left fielder.

That'll score run for Taylor and that's the first run of the ball game.

He's gonna try to leg out a triple and does.

What an unbelievable at bat by Smith and you see him pump his fist RJ.

We just talked about it a few minutes ago.

How is this wind gonna affect this baseball if it gets lifted up it is howling out towards left field.

Little bit of confusion out there and left.

It's able to go all the way to the wall and Taylor tigers with a one to nothing lead in the first Al Whelan woodell.

We'll be at the plate.

He's batting in the five hole playing left field today with a runner at 3rd.

At Swan right back at the pitcher in the hole behind second base.

That'll score, run.

Again, you see the hustle and in these type of ball games, put the ball in play.

That's a great job.

By whittle.

Tough play for Honeycutt.

He tried to at least stop it, maybe catching in front of him instead.

Think he may have gotten a little piece of the baseball.

And just like that two to nothing.

Taylor, we've now seen 3 infield hits in this ball game as they scored that one a hit.

So it's an RBI single for Whittle and Mason Lindsey's at the plate.

Boy, that's a tough break for Honeycutt, you think you're one pitch of getting away and getting out of here instead?

As you said it, RJ infield hits just one of those things where if you put it in play, you may be alright.

And unfortunately, for NEMA, Vista and Honeycutt, they're down to nothing in the 1st place, and Lindsay's batting 239 on the year.

Now pick off move over to 1st and.

Taylor quickly out to a two to nothing lead here in the top of the first inning.

See if Honeycutt can settle in right here and get out of this inning again.

A long ball game we've already seen.

You know you saw the impressive performance by Woodlawn and Bigelow.

That game changed on a dime.

We'll see if this changes at all too, but Taylor, with the early advantage in this offense we talked.

We talked about it before the before the ball game.

They could score runs.

As this one found out of play to bring the count to one and two.

Well, Honeycutt is used to pitching a lot of innings this season.

He has been there guy and he's going to have to settle in and keep this a two to nothing ball game and keep things going for Nemo Vista so they can get their offensive chance.

There's the one too kerbal up top.

It makes things all full at 222.

And here, too, you've already seen the speed from Taylor.

They are not afraid to run.

I would not be surprised one bit if Woodley even gets a head start.

I know the counts even, but I wouldn't be shocked at all if he took off.

There's a pitch.

It's knocked into shallow left field coming in as condray, and he'll make the catch for the third out, but not until Taylor puts up two runs off of four base hits.

There were no errors.

One man left.

We head to the bottom of the first inning as it'll be Nemo vistas.

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Well now it's Nemo Vista's.

Turn to the plate as Taylor scored two runs in the top of the first inning to take a quick lead, two to nothing here in the Class 1A state championship and four Taylor.

They will have Josh Lindsey on the mound.

He's five and oh on the year with a 3.88 ERA has had 43 strikeouts and 27 walks on the year and he will be the starting pitcher today for the Taylor Tigers do up four Nemo Vista here in the bottom of the first inning.

You'll start with Wesley Honeycutt with.

Followed by Ben De Salvo and Cordell Sims, the 123 hitters for the Red Hawks.

The defensive alignment for Taylor.

We will go with eight and Hosley at third base.

Rain Cranford at short Peyton Smith at second and Preston Smith at first Austin Adcox and right Jake Petries in center in Wayland.

Woodell is in left field.

Let's take a look at that Nemo Vista lineup as Patrick Perry is the four hole hitter Christian Rodell rodello excuse me as the five hole hitter Logan Harper 's in centerfield batting sixth.

Jax Andrews is batting seventh.

Cash McClellan is at eight and number nine hole hitters Caleb Freeman.

We know honey cuts gotta be a little frustrated giving up a couple of runs in the top of the first inning.

He would love to Peg Taylor back.

Maybe a base hit somehow get on here as he'll lead things off.

Honey cook fouls the first pitch he sees off.

He comes in batting 408 on the year with six home runs and 26 RBI.

Not bad for a pitcher.

And it looks as if we've got a equipment malfunction by by the Empire, his his neck guard has broken off and so he's asking for a pair of scissors to get rid of that thing.

Now that's a that's a guy who knows how to swing the bat.

He's the first pitch he sees.

He swings, fouls him back, and he damages the equipment so.

Little bit of a delay here in the bottom of the first and you know we talked about too.

We're settling in for nerves and Lindsey gets out there.

He throws one pitch.

He's able to get a strike too, but now he's got to play catch with his first basement.

As we've got a delay.

I mean, I would imagine there's somebody in the stands with like a pocket knife or something like that.

Yeah, they're looking for a pair of scissors and.

Sir, go to equipment manager from Taylor.

Now they're going over to.

Nemo Vistancia F. I've got a pair of scissors.

We'll check this off your bingo card.

If you were.

I didn't have this track.

Did not have this one on the on the list of things that we were gonna be looking for.

But I look yeah, and you see it.

Look at this.

Yeah, off the off the foul tip.

It hit him right in the neck and busted the neck guard.

Oh, there it is.

Yeah well if you weren't awake this afternoon, Sir, now you are that that is.

It's a great as somebody got in the pocket.

Here we go little Nemo Vista fancy that's that's why we love baseball fans.

Front row and gentleman says I knew I brought this pocket knife from home for a reason.

If you go to a big league game they don't let us take the box right into the ballpark.

So that's why I won a baseball's the best.

You know what you pocket knife come on.

Make a make an announcement.

Does anybody in the crowd have a pocket knife for the Empire's attention, please?

But he's going.

He's all squared away.

It's not a trick, you know.

I used to umpire back from baseball, and I never did wear the neck guard.

You know, no, I I. I never did just because I didn't like it flopping around and so.

And once again, we see now that this is probably a good thing.

You don't wear the neck.

That's, well, I'm glad you're back on the plane today exactly.

So back to action.

It's all in one this.

We're here in the bottom of the first inning and a curveball is in there called the strike and someone too.

Wesley Honeycutt at the plate for Nemo Vista.

First batter of the day for the Red Hawks.

Boy, this would be so huge for Josh Lindsey.

He's able to get honey cut out on this first at bat.

There's a curveball.

Got him swinging?

It's a strikeout.

That's one out here.

In the first boy that was a great off speed pitch there by Lindsey he works the inside corner and then you can see Honeycutt chasing just a little bit.

Didn't recognize it, but to be able to set him up and get him on the outside corner a pitch out of the zone.

Really nice job.

By Lindsey.

So now the place to be the right fielder Ben de Salvo.

He's batting 262 with 17 RBI this year.

As he'll take a fastball outside.

It's one and oh on deck Cordell Sims, the third baseman.

There's a fastball low he swung and missed, and it's one in one.

Talked about Disalvo and he's such a talented guy and and two to nothing.

That's not that is not insurmountable by any means for this Nemo Vista squad.

They are used to scoring runs and they can score runs in a hurry just to point of settling down and taking care of business early on.

2 ones account to bend Disalvo.

Right, right?

As fastball sales high now draws the count to three and one.

Well, I think the the biggest thing is just gotta stay patient because you're not gonna.

You know even if you get you don't score when you got a long ball game you don't have to get all those runs back all at once, not all at once.

And we talked about too settling the nerves.

This is a different type of environment and that's a high fastball.

Really nice job there by Lindsey.

He wasn't afraid to go out of the zone on that when some of those pictures they get a little afraid.

31 You don't want to walk a guy, especially with just one out.

He wasn't afraid to challenge Salva.

3 two pitch on the way that's swung on and found back.

Or you can hear this tailored crowd too.

They are fired up.

What's better than one championship in an afternoon?

How about two?

Is the softball team took care of business just about an hour ago?

Right behind us?

Here at the baseball complex?

3/2's on the way, curveball lifted the left center built.

That'll be in for a base hit, and that's the first base hit of the day for the Red Hawks.

That is great job by Disalvo.

You think that curveball may be coming.

You saw Honeycutt strike out on an outside curveball just a minute ago.

And yet, you're able to stay patient.

Keep the hands back and deliver a single out to left field.

So now Cornell Sims, the third baseman, comes up batting 313 on the year.

Does have a home run with 15 RBI?

And he'll work with a runner up first and only one out here in the 1st.

And let me tell you, I don't want your TV's to deceive you.

Sims is a big dude.

He has got some power and the wind is absolutely blowing out.

Do not be surprised if he gets a hold of 1.

Here's the pitch of Sims and want a little inside.

He did everything in his power.

He's a big boy.

He trying to get out of the way of that one.

He doesn't want to take one either.

RJ he wants to hit, he turned to his third base coach, who I was pretty sure he's asking him if he got hit and he said no, I'm good.

Let's get back in here.

One ball knows strikes.

That's swung on, popped up on the.

Backside of second base in a shallow right field.

That'll be a catch and two outs here in the first.

That's a really great job too.

By Lindsey, you run into a jam.

You give up your first base hit of the ball game and then you got the three hole hitter coming up Sims so we know he's got some power.

And after nearly hitting a guy, throw back in there and you're able to get the pop out to short right field.

This is the first junior you're going to see pop up for Nemo Vista.

The 1st 3 hitters are actually all seniors.

So good to see Patrick Perry junior the shortstop will see if he can keep this inning going for the Red Hawks and he had a really bad swing right there.

He's kind of trying to check swing that thing and.

Throw his bat out there it's own one.

Curveball misses inside.

Perry is the four hole hitter, batting 324 in the year two home runs, 28 RBI.

Lindsay not afraid to encourage those hitters to back off of his plate a little bit he's.

He's pitched inside a few Times Now there's the one one as it's up high.

And it'll bring the county two in one.

Well Perry is in the driver seat man if you're looking, he's throwing that curveball a few times, and if he hangs it.

Perry, I'm sure not afraid to try and take advantage.

Two one pitch is on the way.

Fastball at the knees, and it was a little outside and that'll make the count.

Three in one.

It's a good opportunity for Nemo Vista again.

RJ, you said it, you don't have to get all these runs back and the bottom of the first.

You're only down to to nothing.

These offenses very accustomed to taking care of business.

It's a big pitch.

Now throw over to 1st and he's back safely.

This will be the 17th pitch of the inning for Josh Lindsey.

He's trying to get Patrick Perry out.

Here's the three one, and he's going to walk, and now you've got runners at first and second here with two outs in the 1st.

So both these starting pitchers, we mentioned it too.

They've been so good all season long, but both running into a jam to open up this fall.

So now Christian Rodello is gonna be at the plate batting 352 on the air with two home runs and 24 RBI batting in the five hole.

Here's today's designated hitter for Nemo Vista.

I always wondered how that affects guys.

Being the DH you sit in the dugout.

This is your one opportunity.

Let's see if you can make a difference.

What's up top we wanna know.

You gotta be a mentally strong guy to be a DH, you're really do because that.

I mean you have one job.

That's it.

You have one job and and has to hit the ball and and be really good at it.

We'll see if he can take advantage here with his average.

I mean he's hitting 352 on the years.

There's a pick.

Move back to 2nd.

He's got some size on him, doesn't he?

He does you know a senior trying to take care of business?

It's gonna be his last ball game and boy, nothing would make you feel more special to be a DH for this great Red Hawk squad than take care of business and delivering an RBI.

That's found back in the net takes the count of one one.

It's a really good cut inside.

I like Lindsey, he attacks these hitters.

You know he may walk a guy I know he was frustrated with that last pitch that he had.

But man he is not afraid to attack these guys and showing that he understands this is a big ball game.

This is a big moment even though it is early.

One in one's account.

You've got runners at 1st and 2nd for Nemo Vista.

They'll be called the strike on the outside corner.

Bring the count to one and two.

Well, I thought that one was outside RJ, but it must have caught the right edge of the plate just as it came over.

But then you got to protect.

Now if you're Nemo Vista, we'll see if Verdello can take care of it.

Where it's a big pitch.

Here's the one two pitch.

It bounces in, the dirt, gets away from the catcher, and runners will advance to 2nd and 3rd.

As you've got two outs here in the inning in the inning and that is huge RJ because now you're just one single away from tying this ball game up.

Gotta stay focused if you're Lindsey, you don't wanna give up any runs.

Stay focused and now another pass ball.

It's a 2 to one ball game.

22nd pitch of the inning coming for Lindsay.

If the check swinging strikes out.

Struck out looking for the third out big pitch by Josh Lindsay and we head to the top of the second inning where Taylor leads Nemo Vista 2 to nothing you're watching the Centennial Bank State Baseball championships on Arkansas PBS Sports.

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So Taylor's back in the plate as back on the mound for Nemo Vista is Wesley Honeycutt gave up two runs there in the first inning, had three infield hits for Taylor there in the first thing.

So now we'll have the bottom line bottom part of the lineup here in the second inning with Gage Ryan, Jake Petrie and Aiden Hosley.

The 789 hitters for Taylor coming to the plate.

Gage Ryan is the DH today batting 299 with 18 RBI.

And he'll have his time.

Against Wesley Honeycutt.

67 at bats on the year for Gage, and he's not afraid of this moment, but he'll swing and miss on the first pitch he sees.

Another senior RJ and you just see this lineup so many.

So many different classifications that we talked about.

You look at Peyton Smith, a junior.

You've got grantford, a freshman Lindsey, a senior junior sophomore sophomore, you don't see that a lot.

Not a not a heavy senior team as the O2's outside.

This account to one and two.

You know Honeycutt would absolutely love A123 inning to bounce back, and there's gonna be 1 right there as he gets the strike out of Gage Ryan.

And that'll bring to the plate.

Jake Petrie, the center fielder.

What a great start there for Honeycutt.

We talked about it.

You don't let that frustration carry over into the second innings of high heat.

Takes care of business.

And just like that one out batting 188 on the year with 13 RBI's he swings and misses at the first pitch.

Honeycutt not messing around here.

In the top of the second inning, he's bringing the gas to the bottom part of this lineup.

Ohh, 1 Swan and missed and it's 1/2 that time coming in at 80 miles an hour.

I'll tell you what until they touch it and prove that they can at least get a piece of it.

Why not?

Here's the O2.

That's fastball outside and it's one and two.

120 inside coal strike.

Three Petri knew it he he started walking away before the empire even struck him out.

That's kind of one of those situations where your bat you're expecting one pitch.

You get another, and then as soon as you get fooled in this moment, you just have to tip your cap and understand you got beat in this sequence and head on back to the dugout.

So now Aiden Hosley, the third baseman comes up, he's.

Manning 140 on the year with ten RBI.

That's swung on, popped up into foul territory.

They'll be some room to run and be right fielder.

They'll salvo.

Can I quite get to it so it's all in one.

I thought for a second he had a chance at that ball.

There's so much space here on this beautiful Benton complex.

If you haven't been down here before, it is state of the art, especially for high school baseball.

A lot of room over there, in right field that just a little bit too far.

You've got a ton of running room down the lines and foul territory.

You know, a lot of ballparks you'll.

You know foul ball if it gets in that area, it's already past the fence and you just let it go, but it actually gives you an opportunity to try to get it right.

Here.

Is that one's a little high and brings the count to one in one.

I even think you know Bob Walker Stadium.

That's a foul ball.

That's probably 7-8 rows up.

Yeah, it was right.

We know Taylor would absolutely love it.

Two out rally they were able to again on the top of that first inning, put the ball in play, but it's been all Honeycutt so far in the second.

Here's 11.

It's way high and brings the count to two in one.

Well, that wind is not.

It's not letting up out there in right field it is.

Blowing pretty good as the two one has popped up on the infield and it'll be taken by the pitcher.

Well, it was gonna say it to the high bounce and either way they got it 1/3 on the put out.

And so 123 goes Taylor here in the second inning when we come back it'll be Nemo Vista's turn to try to tie the ball game.

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These are all great championship keepsakes so name of Vista will be back to the plane as they'll have their 678 hitters do up with Logan Harper, Jax Andrews and Cash McClellan.

You know the road for Nemo Vista?

To get to this point, they had to play Hermitage in the first game of the state tournament and won that Game 9 to 4.

Izard County was up.

Next won that game 8/6 and then they had to face washed off and won that game to six to one.

But you know, hating one thing about that watchdog game.

They played Washton a tournament during the season, played twice and washed out.

Scored Nemo Vista 30 to 4 in those two games.

Video game numbers yes.

And then Nemo got the revenge in the state tournament.

6 to 1.

To get to this point as the first pitch is low, called a ball.

What a feeling that had to be for Nemo Vista to be able to slay.

Your biggest opponent at that point, a a team that had embarrassed you at early points.

In that way you punch your ticket to a state finals and that's got to be an amazing feeling.

Over the left fielders head, that'll be off the wall.

And he'll be able to get a double out of this one.

It's a leadoff double for Logan Harper.

Sitting here talking about pretty good feelings.

That's gotta be a pretty good feeling as Harper smacks it again, that wind has gotta be trouble for these outfielders.

This was a line drive just smacked right over left field off of the wall and we talked about it.

This animal offense can strike in a hurry and all the sudden, the tying run is coming to the plate with no outs.

Honestly, I don't.

Even if there wasn't a win that was a line shot to the to the wall.

I smoked it.

I don't think he would have been able to have a chance if there was a wind or no wind.

Jax Andrews at the plays he's the catcher today batting.

In 97.

Well, you saw Josh Lindsey pitch out of a jam in the first inning.

We're going to see if he can do it again.

Well show bunt gets pulled back just in time he almost got hit and they're gonna call that a strike.

Did he call to strike I?

I saw the signal, he called it a strike.

Wow, OK, so here's another look at it.

I don't know how it didn't hit it.

Well, it it it hit off his bat there hit off the handle of the baht.

There it is.

So he found it off its own.

One.

There you go.

OK, go with the pick move and the ball falls out of his hands.

That would be an easy bag.

No, they're gonna try to send him home.

Off the air and the neighbor book is gonna score a run.

It's an E. It's an error on the pitcher.

To get Logan Harper from second base to home plate.

That is just one of those plays where if you're Nemo Vista, you're cheering and you'll take it.

And if you're Taylor makes you a little sick to your stomach, a pick off plate and RJ, he may have had him.

There was a little bit of a delay, and all of a sudden he throws it and it just slips out of his hand.

And I don't think he wanted to throw it because you don't have to make that throw to second base as that one fouled back for cash McClellan.

And I think he was just wanting to hold up and it just.

He just fell out of his hand and and went to left field.

It's one of those things we've all done it.

Whether you got a football or baseball whatever, you just tried to pull it back.

You see quarterbacks kind of do it every now and then.

You try to pull back or pump fake and it just slips out.

That's fouled off.

Jack Andrews got Owen 2.

So how do you respond if you're lensey?

Get something for Andrews to chase up high that time to bring the count to one and two.

And something I noticed too RJ is he.

He pitches from the stretch.

He doesn't go from a wind up with nobody on either.

Here's the 1/2 in there called.

The strike would be the first out here in the second inning.

Well, he's obviously comfortable with it.

He goes from the stretch and gets a big strikeout.

And that's that's a good reset there.

For Lindsey, I know you made a mental error.

You never want to do that, especially in a state championship baseball game.

You move on and get a big strikeout.

Get your first out of the inning.

So cash Mcclellan's gonna be at the plane.

The first baseman today batting 197 with eleven RBI.

Let's swing and missed the first.

He's the 8 hole hitter today for the RedHawks.

Lindsey continues to mix it up too.

This is this is this is a big moment here for Josh Lindsey.

If he can take care of McClelland and then you've got Freeman coming up next.

That way you can reset for the top of the order in the next inning.

No ones outside to go two and one and you know you look at this lineup for the Red Hawks and definitely the the top six spots are really your your toughest part of this lineup.

Just based on, you know, looking at the averages as it's now two and two with the foul, but you've got your 789 hitters that are all sub 200 batting averages.

So if you if you are Lindsey, you're you're really liking the fact that you could try to get out of the inning right here, but you said it to RJ five of those first six hitters.

They're seniors, you got to experience two out of the bottom 3 sophomores, so Mcclellan's a junior.

He got sophomore, junior sophomore, and you can see where the strengths and the weaknesses are.

And now we've got a full count.

The curveball just barely missed outside.

Here's the three two that is outside and it'll be a walk.

It's a really good at bat by McClellan there you kind of get fooled on a pitcher too.

That Lindsey has been really, really good with.

And then yeah, you sit tight, you're patient, able to draw around walk.

They loved freeman.

Now, Caleb Freeman's at the plate, he's the second baseman, batting 182 with nine RBI, wouldn't be completely shocked here if he lays down a bunt, then he get honeycut up with a man on 2nd.

And here it is.

He gets the button down, third base side advances, the runner does get the out.

And so you've got a runner at 2nd, that being McClellan.

And now back to the top of the order with Wesley Honeycutt.

That's a great job by a sophomore.

He's the 9 hole hitter.

He knows his job.

He goes up there, lays down a perfect bond, and now you've got honeycut up your main guy to see if you could tie this baseball game up.

Well, Hunnicut struck out back in the first inning.

As there are two outs here in the bottom of the second.

The curveball is gonna miss up high, and that's how he'll start things off with the 65 mile an hour curveball, you know, I know.

MLB has just gone by the wayside and college baseball too.

And then I love seeing small ball.

It just makes it hard.

Happy.

I love to see it.

I hated Bonnie.

I hated it.

Here's the 10 curveball in there called the strike.

It's one in one.

I didn't like to be asked to bunt.

I wanted to be the guy that like was on deck.

Who said, yeah, you bunt him over and let me take care of business.

There was something.

About like sticking your bat out there and your whole you're opening up your face to to seeing a fastball come at you as that one hits him and he'll head down to first base.

So there you go.

Honeycutt gets plunked.

I wonder if he'll return the favor a little bit later with a curveball, but so now you?

Here we go.

You talked about the difference in the top of this lineup are Jay.

How special these guys are now been this elbow's got a real shot to not only tie this ball game up, but to give Nemo Vista lead.

Then the salvos at the plate.

He had a base hit back in the first inning.

Now pick move back to second.

He's in there safely.

That's a good move to second base.

I love his move.

I know he's so frustrated with the error that cost him a run.

Just letting you know, just losing control of the baseball, but it's a really nice move.

There it is.

It's fouled back.

So it's all in one to bend the salvo.

It's kind of what dreams are made of right here.

If you're a senior, you got a couple of runners on.

You understand that you can make a big difference in this ball game.

Look at that gap in left center field, huge I mean.

You could part, you could part 1018 Wheelers in that gap.

That's a really nice stop there too.

Look at this view.

I mean that is a massive gap, the left fielder's not even.

You can't find him.

There is there he is.

If you get one out there that gap.

I mean, Honeycutt scoring.

Her ball swung on and missed one and two really nice off speed pitch.

You know.

That tells me when you see a gap like that, that tells you one or two things.

I've watched a lot of tape and realized he goes off on quite a bit or it's just bad alignment.

Center fielder is shaded so far right.

Herbal swore on out to centerfield.

He played it perfectly, played it perfectly.

That's, you know.

Yeah, we don't know what we're talking about and that one is the third out of the inning, but Nemo Vista gets one run in the inning off of one base hit where they leave.

They do strand one in the inning, so when we come back we'll be in the top of the third inning where Taylor leads Nemo Vista two to one you're watching the Centennial Bank state baseball and softball championships in Arkansas.

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Back here at the top of the third inning as look at this, you get you got both pitchers doing a heck of a job right now with with the strikeout and really, Wesley Honeycutt is the guy that is getting it done on the mound.

He currently he's trailing in this Game 2 to one, but he's had a great day.

Has so far he's had two strikeouts, but it's just been dominant with his fastball and his curveball so far.

Didn't really really good too, and I'd love to see what he's been able to do after the.

First inning got into a jam, gives up a couple of runs.

It's gotta be frustrating.

But again, you said a couple of strikeouts.

He's been good.

Pitch counts OK at 27.

Just keep on it going and now you know you're offense is going to help you out.

It's only a one run ball game now.

Peyton Smith is going to lead things off.

He's at the one spot in the lineup and he'll foul that one out of play to start off the third inning.

You saw exactly what Peyton Smith can do in that first did bad did not hit it hard, but was able to get an infield single and this guy's speed is such a weapon and curveball that hits him in the head.

That's one way to get on base.

You know we we just talked about his command and how he's been so good and he punched him in the head announcers Jinx.

We got a bad habit.

We've done that twice now, hmm?

We're going to try and shake that off of the Nemo Vista faithful, but that's a great job too.

And they're gonna.

They're gonna check Smith out.

Make sure he's OK. Oh so that'll bring up rain grantford to the blade he's the shortstop, got a base hit back in the first inning off of a bunt.

He's batting 435 on the year.

First pitch is called a strike on the outside corner, so in one.

Is what you want if you're tailored you get your lead man on you.

Get your speedster.

Honeycutt will obviously be paying a lot of attention to Smith.

Throw over the 1st and he's back safe with his ball.

Briefly got away from the first baseman.

Yeah, RedHawks caught a little bit of a break there.

I thought once that baseball story got away from first, I thought Smith was gonna take off, but just enough where he stayed put.

Owen one as the bunch laid down the third base sign, picks it up, throws it down the line and it's a throwing error.

And that's going to advance the runners.

Well here gonna try to score him.

That's gonna score one for Taylor is Peyton Smith's gonna go from first to home and score a run and rain kramper is and get all the way to third base.

When you looked at that too.

It's one of those insane plays that you never expect to see a guy scoring from first.

All the way on a bunch.

So now it turns into a.

Obviously we'll turn into an error, but now Taylor really starting to feel it.

They're just doing the little things right.

Putting the ball in play Nemo Vista.

Gotta sharpen up that defense a little bit, errors costing the Red Hawks.

Josh Lindsey at the plate.

Now with a runner at 3rd that's swung on and fouled back.

You just knew with Smith's speed on that any error he had a chance to score and he was flying.

He took about one of the widest turns around third base I've seen from a guy in a long, long time.

Oh ones up top.

Even the count at one and one.

I know Wesley Honeycutt's got to be frustrated right now.

You're not giving up hard contact.

It's all soft contact and it's just not going your way.

It's got to settle in.

Here's the 11 the Bunts laid down the right field side, and that's gonna score a run.

They'll get the flip to 1st for the out.

That's a great at bat by a seasoned veteran right there a senior taking care of business.

Helping himself out a little bit and all of a sudden now it's a four to one ball game as Taylor is.

Now looking really, really sharp offensively goes back to talking about small ball and that's what Taylor's doing right now is Preston Smith at the plate and they're playing small ball with their top four guys in their lineup.

It's the thing you don't have to hit it out of the park.

You don't have to smash it now.

It looks like you can with all the wind going on, but they're just doing the little things right, and that's what makes the biggest difference in these championship ball games.

Last pitch caught the outside corner to one and one.

That's swung on and fouled off during the count to one and two.

Why don't you know Honeycutt could use a strikeout right here?

He gotta settle in.

Curveball gets away from him to even the count at 2 apiece.

Again, that fastball is working so well for Honeycutt.

He was able to set down the bottom of the lineup and these these Taylor hitters are being patient.

2/2 is a little high and tight.

He's account full at three and two.

That's popped up out of play.

RJ, you can just kind of see when he delivers that fastball.

He's just missing a little bit high.

That fastball is elevating just a little bit out of the zone and so far Taylor's been really patient with their hitters.

There's the three, too that's swung on and fouled off, and that's the 42nd pitch so far for Wesley Honeycutt.

3 twos on the way, and that's going to hit him or not.

It was the foul ball off his bat.

So now they're gonna call it a foul ball and he ran like it.

Got a part of his bad but.

The third baseman picked it up in fair territory.

Well, I. I think they're gonna have a.

They're gonna have a conversation because if it did go off the bat.

It was picked up in fair territory and if it went off the bat, that's gotta be a single see where it is.

Hit off the end of the back.

That's exactly what it is.

But so the home plate umpire he killed the play.

It looked like he called foul ball when the third baseman touched it, but that was picked up in fair territory, but they got together and they're gonna say foul ball I. I think what they're saying is that that hit his hand and the bat and so they're going to.

That's why they killed it.

Because he doesn't motion anything yet.

He's playing it like live baseball.

But he that balls on the line who?

And either way, what's that anyway?

What and you know, going back and seeing that replay?

It's almost as if they they just.

Didn't say anything at the plate, just called it foul, right?

Build another one of those weird ones conventionally.

Seeing it live.

I thought it hit his hand.

Yeah, I did as well.

Leyland woodle.

Is that the plane?

He's the left fielder.

As the fastball misses outside, it's one and oh.

Runners at first base for Taylor.

It's four to one.

The Tigers have scored in the first inning and now two here in the third.

Boy, this red hog defense would love a ground ball to twin killing if they can get out of this inning and get Honeycutt back into the dugout too.

Cause another thing not only about this wind, it's warm.

It is very warm day here.

Down in Benton, here in the middle of the afternoon.

They would love to get him in the dugout.

It was the one one that's swung on out to 2nd.

Routine play.

They doesn't go so routine they tried to get with the short bag at second base and didn't get either one of them.

The speed for Taylor continues to haunt Nemo Vista early in this ball game, we set it right there looked like a twin, killing off of the bat.

Instead you see the hustle great hustle by woodle.

And instead of an inning ending double play, Taylor threatening even more here.

Is they've got two on with only one out, so they're going to call that a fielders choice because they went to the second base bag.

Now Mason, Lindsey's at the play.

And if Lindsay.

Did this one through.

They'll be back to where they started in the second inning.

I've done a lot of batters to the plate.

Lindsey is a sophomore with a big opportunity right here.

He lays down a bunt right back at the pitcher, make the throw to 1st to get the out.

The runners will advance to second and third, they are really testing this Nemo Vista infield.

They are daring them.

Bunting left and right ground balls.

Nothing really hit.

Extremely hard yet in this ball game.

And yet Taylor's got that four to one lead and they can add on to it if gauge Ryan can handle business.

That is the 4th month that they've attempted or done so far in this ball game.

He has great gauge Ryan swings and misses.

A lot of times you don't see 4 bucks in a game I in college baseball, I haven't seen four butts all season.

There's no one high chopper out to 2nd.

Throw the 1st and they got him.

That is a nice play right there to end the threat and limit the damage.

Nemo Vista defense stepping up.

So for Taylor, here in the third inning, they scored two runs off of no base hits.

They do strand 2 and we head to the bottom of the third inning where Taylor leads Nemo Vista 4 to one you're watching the Centennial Bank State Baseball championships on Arkansas.

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Every year we recognize outstanding Arkansas student athletes who have made a mark in the classroom as well as on the field in the Division 1A or also known as one A.

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Look at that GPA 4.113, you know when I was in high school we can only go to four that was it too.

Now kids are up to 4.113 is only a junior and we want to say congratulations to Colin Fisher.

He's our division.

I like to call him scholar athletes cause that kid right there is.

He is a small.

It's definitely scholar.

First you get the 113 after the four.

You're a scholar, yeah?

Went back to baseball here in Benton as that the play is Cordell Simms.

It'll be the 345 hitters do up for Nemo Vista.

Sims flied to right field back in the first inning.

He has a chance for the Red Hawks to do a little damage.

He got the heart of the order up.

Apply a little pressure as we talked about.

You don't have to get it all back in one inning, but it's like Taylor's going to get the advantage sliding grab by the right fielder to salvo for the first down here in the third.

I was worried about that at first.

It kind of got into no man's land, but a great job there in right field.

An excellent spot to call everybody off and.

At style points to it as well now.

So now the four hole hitter Patrick Perry the shortstop is gonna be at the plate.

He walked back in the first inning.

As Kerbal misses inside and just want to know.

That's swung on and found out of play period.

Junior sandwiched in between all these seniors.

The first, second, third, fifth and 6th hitters are all seniors and Perry the lone junior right there in the middle.

Love to do something for this Red Hawk Squad 11's on the way, swung on fat out of play.

On deck is Christian rodello.

You know, as nice as it is today.

I don't think the weather's gonna be so nice tomorrow.

You know, I talked to my weather guy for you I I said, listen, we've got a lot of baseball to play on Saturday.

We don't need any of this rain.

He said he would do what he could.

Yeah, he's gonna try to keep it out of here.

I think the morning game will be OK I think.

So I think you know we'll be on the call for that.

10:00 AM ball game.

Ashdown and Harding Academy.

Can't wait for that one but afternoon we that one may be up to the baseball gods and the weather gods.

22 pitches driven to center field for a base hit.

And now Christian Rodello will be at the play.

It's a really good piece in two strike, hitting there by Perry not doing anything special with it.

One right down the middle he's able to send it back to center field and see if Nemo Vista can apply a little pressure here.

You know, Lindsey's been in that dugout for a while.

He took care of the first batter with ease.

See if the Red Hawks can do something.

So Rodello struck out back in the first inning.

He's going to show bunt.

Runner goes and they're not even gonna attempt to throw it.

A lot of smoke and mirrors on that one.

I couldn't believe Rodello showed bunt.

If you saw my facial expression, I was shocked.

Kind of sat here for a minute, but whatever works to get a runner in scoring position.

It was a ball, so it's one and oh.

Her ball misses low two and oh let me tell you folks, rodello just did an outstanding job when that pitch is coming in.

It looks like a strike all the way until it dives at the last second.

That is a really nice job by Rodello to lay off of that.

That's outside takes the count to three and oh.

You green light it no no, not when you're down four one I mean.

I think you know it's gonna be a fastball and I'm gonna show bunt.

Hold it back and I think that was just a mirror to sure be a bit of a distraction so it's three in one.

I get it if you want to throw the picture off, but it's kind of like you're giving up on that pitch and the umpire if it's anywhere near the zone he's going to call a strike.

That swamp back at the box in the center field is we're gonna score one after modello picks up his 25th RBI of the year.

We talked about it earlier, RJ.

When you're the DH man, you got one job.

You gotta do it.

You go up to the plate, be mentally strong.

That's a great at bat by Christian rodello.

He was patient.

He didn't chase anything out of the zone.

He waited and as soon as he got a pitch he could take advantage of.

He sent him back up the middle.

And just like that to run ball game.

So now Logan Harper's at the plate.

Harper had a double back in the second inning and later came around to score.

His fastball at misses outside start him off.

Or Taylor may have a conversation with Lindsey just to slow him down.

I know he likes to work quick.

He's been really efficient so far, but maybe just take a breath.

Slow things down.

There's a change up inside called a strike, and it's one in one, you know.

I think that may have been a strike, but the framing was so off it missed a little bit that it it.

It looked like a ball, but when it crossed home plate, it may have been a strike.

You heard that groan from the Nemo Vista faithful.

They didn't like it.

One ball, one strike.

There's one out.

In the bottom of the third inning.

You're checking out rudella little bit.

He's adjusting his equipment or tying his shoe now he's ready to go.

One one pitch caught the outside corner one and two.

Well now you got to protect you.

Got two strikes.

I understand it's tough.

You want to do your job here, but the the thing that the Red Hawks have to avoid is hitting into its wind killing.

There's one two pitch, it's swung on and missed, and he strikes out.

So there is now 2 outs in the inning.

Yeah, that's a frustration strikeout right there.

You get that second strike.

You think it's outside and credit to Lindsey?

He goes right back to the outside corner.

You're thinking to yourself like gotta swing.

He's going to ring me up if I don't kind of a frustration strike out.

But a nice job by Lindsey to get the K. That's why I missed the Jacks Andrews.

Andrew struck down back in the second inning.

He's the seven hole hitter for Nemo Vista.

And that one swan and found back.

That's just a guy trying to do a little too much right there.

That ball was clearly a little bit high, but Andrews wanted to make a difference in this ball game.

You're eager, you're a sophomore.

You want to prove.

That maybe we you can tie this ball game up with one swing but one out of the zone.

O2's account here's the pitch curveball?

This is inside.

It's one in two.

State Soccer got started today, so now you've got three sports going over here at the Ben Athletic complex this weekend.

There's a pick.

Move back to first.

They got him.

Wow, they got him he, he got caught napping and they were over there for the third out.

That's got to be so frustrating for ridello, but what a move.

We saw the error by Lindsay on a pickoff earlier in this ball game and yet what an unbelievable throne.

A great pick and just like that Nemo Vista had the tying runner at the plate instead.

Great job by Taylor.

So for Nemo Vista they did score one run off one base hit we head to the top of the fourth inning you're watching this Centennial Bank State baseball championships in Arkansas.

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That is a great shot right there of the Ben Athletic complex there.

Hey there, we are right there there.

We are and right behind us is the softball complex.

And then.

Back over to the left was where all the soccer's going on.

Remember, if you want to come out here this weekend.

See some state championship action.

One ticket will allow you to see all the state championship action going on or if you just don't want to, you wanna watch us?

Not sure?

No problem at all as the first pitch to Jake Petrie is swan and mist he is the 8 hole hitter for the Taylor Tigers.

It'll be 8-9 one in the lineup for Taylor.

Better yet come on out.

Get your ticket.

Just watch us on your phone while you're here at the ballpark.

Kill two birds and one stone kinds of things.

You can do technology.

Yeah, it's amazing.

Ohh ones account 4/2's our score Taylor on top of Nemo Vista and a bun is popped up.

Three guys in the air, but the third baseman Cordell Simms is the one that gets it and that'll be the first down here in the inning.

It's great job by Sims that's his baseball all the way, taking charge, calling everybody off.

And I know Honeycutt wants to come in and make that play, but I you always tell a picture, man, if it's an infield fly, get out of the way.

24 and the hustling, you know, it's he.

He made a quick judgment.

Call I.

In that case, you're right, I'd I'd run after it.

It's a good job by Sims, though coming on in and taking care of business.

So Aiden Hosley is gonna be at the plate.

He's the third baseman today.

He.

Had a bunt earlier.

That was thrown out at third base, but.

Just a lot of a lot of bunts by this tailored team when they have too Aiden Hosley, a freshman too.

How do you like that freshman up there?

The only one correction and the second one in the line up with Cranford State Championship appearance.

Counts 2 and one now to Hosley.

That swan looked to the left center field and it'll get down and get past the left fielder and he'll be able to head to second base and he'll be standing up.

I believe they're going to count that as a single, and he advanced on the the ball getting past the left fielder.

How about the freshman Hosley coming in here like it's nothing like he's been here before?

Boy, you know that's a good feeling looking over the dugout, saying, fellas, if I can do it, come on.

You guys can take care of it now with your 9 hole hitter on second base with only one Allen.

Here comes the speedster Peyton Smith.

So now Smith at the plate on the day he's been on the bags twice.

Gotta hit back in the first inning, then he got hit in the third inning.

He swings and misses right there.

Well, that's such a good curveball by Honeycutt.

It just looks like a meatball the whole way, bounces outside into the other batters box, and Smith couldn't resist.

As the curveball hits him again, who?

You know, you wonder why you were that?

Why?

Where's that pad on that left elbow and he's been hit twice now.

In this one game.

Well, Honeycutt, it's frustrating because he thinks Smith stuck his arm out.

And so now I think we're gonna have a discussion.

Well, you look at her right there.

Oh, he totally did.

He absolutely did, and in that big elbow pad up there gets a piece of it and I would not be surprised at all if they're gonna have a conversation and.

We'll see if Smith comes back.

There's no replay in in high school baseball, but based on what we saw, you definitely stuck his elbow out there.

And, you know, I was talking with Kyle Deckelbaum about this yesterday.

You know when we played not trying to go old man TV or anything but.

You know you you had your batting gloves maybe a wristband, something like that.

Now these kids look like Terminator.

I never wore.

You can take the pack.

You got an elbow pad.

You got a a an oven Mitt so that you don't have your your fingers get all caught up in the bag as there's a swinging a miss by rain Cranford.

But you got the the glove in the back pocket, so when you get on the bags you don't mess your finger.

Sure, you got your batting gloves with a couple different wristbands.

As the old ones fisted in the left field, that'll be down for a base hit.

They're gonna send him home another run coming in to score.

He'll slide in, he's safe and it's now five to two Taylor.

How about that freshman to freshman connection?

You had Hosley get on base, he scores from 2nd and it's the other freshman Cranford driving him.

In Cranford the Freshman 3 for three today as he picks up an RBI.

Cranford getting it done.

The six Josh Lindsay advanced Peyton Smith, the second base.

Now Josh Lindsay, is at the plate.

He flied to center field back in the first inning, then had a sack bunt in the third.

All hits, the dirt runners are going.

And he's safe.

They're gonna call that a wild pitch.

On the advancement.

Or you can just sense Honeycutt's frustration.

Thought Smith stuck his elbow out there ends up getting hit by the pitch.

Those little little loads of wild pitch runners advance and this is a big moment.

This ball game still a three run ball game.

Still very manageable, but if this thing gets to five and beyond.

You could be in real trouble if you're a Red Hawk fan and they're gonna have a conversation.

I I want the truck to go back and show that replay.

You know, one thing about playing on turf is, you know it's not actual dirt out there.

So when you slide you gotta start way out and it was a great illustration on that last advancement of the bases because he was way.

I mean, he took probably it was probably 8 feet out when he told and then he had to grab the bag as we as he was sliding by just to hold on and go not go past it as.

There's a pitch out that time to go to, and oh, I don't know if guys this young know about Pete Rose, but he looked like Pete Rose just head first.

Yeah, full Sprint, full speed into the bag.

Last replay was was outstanding.

Here's the two O and the pitch out to make it 3 and O.

And this is the three hole hitter.

So you're going from.

Josh Lindsay, who's batting 420 to now Preston Smith.

He was batting 441 with four home runs but and he'll have bases loaded.

I get it you're you're being careful and it it's felt it felt like an intentional walk without an intentional walk and then he'll line one up for a strike.

You can't understand the strategy.

You wanna be very very careful and not let this thing get out of hand.

You gotta attack.

3 ones outside bases are loaded.

That is a heck of a block right there.

That's another run.

If not for the excellent defense.

I mean, that's just.

You can't explain to how hard that is, what a great job behind the plate by Jack Andrews, just to keep that thing in front.

And we'll see if Nemo Vista can get a twin killing and get out of this thing.

Or if Taylor's gonna add on to their lead.

Preston Smith, the third baseman, is up, had the triple back in the first inning, the RBI triple.

And then got on with a single in the third.

Now landing first place at #5 Preston Smith.

Still plenty of baseball left in this one RJ, but this this feels like a moment where this thing could really, really turn.

Here's the first pitch to Smith and it's outside.

Bases are loaded with one out here in the 4th.

This ball misses outside.

Again, we talked about it.

You don't wanna walk him.

He's trying to be careful too and we discussed it.

You you wonder how far Honeycutt may go in this ball game.

Cash Mclendon could get his number called very, very soon.

2 balls, no strikes.

One out here in the top of the fourth inning, we've got bases juiced, and that one popped up out of play.

His accounts two and one on deck is what Wayland Wooddell.

You know the high today was 90 degrees and when we started this ball game was the 84 and you see that sun just blaring down right here on the turf.

He talked about that turf too.

Yeah, it feels like 10 degrees hotter when you're on that thing.

2 ones on the way, swung on down out of play, hard hit ball, don't?

You know his eyes just lit up when he saw that inside pitch coming he thought he was about to be a bases clearing triple in the right field.

Instead, it's an even count.

To induce account.

The curveball lifted the left field going back as chandre, and he'll make the catch Ronald come into score and.

Go to 3rd, not in time, and now one has to be at 1st and 3rd is now the 6th run of the ball game has been scored by Taylor.

It's a really nice job by a veteran Preston Smith, the junior hitting one out.

He did his job.

Keep the line moving to do a great job.

You get a four run lead.

I know in that moment you're probably hoping to break this game open.

And if your Nemo Vista, I know it's it's frustrating, but you're still in this thing.

It's only a Florida ball game now.

Honeycut one pitch away from getting out of here.

So Wayland Woodall.

Is at the plate now as he had a base hit, an infield base hit back in the 1st and got on because of a fielder's choice in the third.

There's a pitch by Honeycutt that's lifted into center field, giving chases Harper and he'll make the catch for the third out here in the 4th inning.

So Taylor scores two runs in the inning.

They do get a base hit as we head to the bottom of the fourth inning.

Taylor leads it six to two and you're watching the Centennial Bank State Baseball championships on Arkansas.

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We head to the bottom of the fourth inning, where Nemo Vista will have their 789 hitters do up.

As they trail six to two to the Taylor Tigers.

The first is gonna be Jackson Andrews the catcher.

He struck out back in the second inning.

Sophomore made a heck of a play behind the plate to prevent another run from coming in, and now he that one's gonna be driven over the left field coming up to make the catch was contre and got a good beat on it.

You know, oftentimes you'll see.

You know high school outfielders still take that first step forward, and that time got a good beat to get to step first, step backwards, and that's the first out.

Here in the 4th inning.

RJ, I was looking at the monitor looking at some stats too and I'm about gave him a home run call.

Just cut you right off.

Just all it's about it.

Oh, it's five so that's why they don't let colored guys do play by play.

Just kidding, you backed me up.

Cash Mclendon is going to be at the plate.

That a base hit back in the second inning.

First pitch is called to strike to him.

Man, I just love the way that Lindsey works.

He's efficient, doesn't waste any emotion, doesn't waste any time, goes right from the stretch.

He's ready to get back in the dugout in the shade.

Here's the old one that's going to be swung on.

Popped up into foul territory on the left side and I can't quite get to it.

That's a tough play right there, but what a great effort from Aiden Hosley again.

The freshman who delivered big time on that single and.

Was able to score last inning.

I thought he had a chance at it here.

Looking at the replay, he was digging, lost his cap and.

Almost made a great play, but.

Two strikes now for.

Lindsey and the Tigers.

Balls, two strikes to cash McClendon.

That once fouled off.

There's something about this outfield, and I say it a lot.

Just cause I was a former outfielder that you look at these caps and I'm looking at that right center gap and thinking boy.

Somehow he could get that thing over there.

It's gonna run four days and there was a lot of space out there.

A lot 2's outside.

Puts a lot of pressure on your center fielder.

Honestly.

I mean he's got to be the captain out there and call guys off, but he has got a lot of ground to cover 120 pine outside.

Center fielder that you were that was a left field left fielder.

OK, I wasn't.

I wasn't as fast as you look like a speeding.

No no, I I. I could run a little bit but that's the 12 swan and missed.

Let's see me cheap too.

That's the second out here in the inning.

No, I wasn't.

Wasn't that was too much ground for me to cover I, you know, I was always good in Milo area I feel.

Already regulations every three days agreement.

I was uncomfortable in the mouth, so if I could just play in the grass out in left field I was good to go see.

I always appreciated the hot corner.

Played a little third base.

Yeah, the ball got to me real fast.

I didn't have to throw in his heart.

You know, I I. I played that in a tournament one time and because our third baseman got sick and they said Hawk they go over and play.

Third, I've never played third in my life as the 01 is in there.

Got got there and I'll never forget.

Boy, you talk about the hot corner yeah, I mean it was like I felt like it was like space jam right?

Like every dude was Mark McGuire at the and he just bam bam pop I I lasted about 3 innings to coach.

I'm hurt.

It's always when you don't wanna hit to you that says it always is at the O2 strikes out that's gonna do it for the 4th inning we head to the top of the fifth inning where Taylor leads at six to two you're watching this Centennial Bank State baseball championships on Arkansas.

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PBS app Ohh fantastic when we go on the road vacation boom right there in the iPad but I've never gotten around Blueberry though.

Ohh do that gotta do it yeah so hey we are back here in the top of the fifth inning as.

We've got these 6-7 hitters do up 678.

That is, and it's Mason Lindsey and Gage Ryan followed by Jake Petrie will be up.

Wesley Honeycutt, still in the ball game as the first pitch to him, has swung on and the shallow center field Probase head.

Another good start for Taylor Lindsey with that big single and it's the young guys man, I'm telling you the freshman stepping up, we saw Hosley, we saw Cranford's having a big day.

How about the sophomore Lindsey with a single ounce of center and just a frustrating afternoon so far for Wesley Honeycutt gay drawings.

Now blood he's oh for two on the day with a strike out.

You'll swing at the first pitch, and it's missed.

It's Owen 1/6 to Two's are score Taylors.

Six runs came off eight hits and an error, while Nemo Vista has two runs with four hits and two errors.

Here's the 01 curveball.

Swan out to second base and try to turn the double play that get him in second, back to first and they got him.

What a twin killing and a boy.

If you were a red hot fan, did you need that?

That is an unbelievable play in a turn that was a great twist.

You saw Caleb Freeman, the sophomore.

He had to turn his back and fired his second base and what a job by the shortstop Patrick Perry to deliver a strike to 1st.

Have on the turn and the throw.

It was right.

There is now Jake Petrie's at the dish with two outs.

First pitch is called the ball, and the crowd is not too happy with that.

Still so impressed with Nemo Vista on that defensive play.

You've had a tough afternoon with the defense.

Small balls been killing you, just some off the line throws but what a great job to settle in.

And here's another look at it.

Was a Bang Bang play and it's just a great job by the Red Hawks as the two pitch misses high.

It's now three, no?

And you got four straight balls to Jake Petrie, and he'll be on first base with two outs here in the 5th inning.

Now, this is what you don't want if you are Wesley Honeycutt.

You got 18 hosley.

I know he's got a hit off of you, but he's still the 9 hole hitter.

He's a freshman.

And you do not want to turn this lineup card over and get to the top.

So 8.

Hosley.

The 9 hole hitter comes up on the day he had a SAC bunt back in the second inning, and then he was able to get on the bags with a single to left center field back in the fourth.

Later came around to score.

No, no activity in the bullpen right now for Nemo Vista.

As the first pitch is a called strike on the inside half the plate, that's a nice pitch there from Honeycutt, you just walked a guy in four pitches.

You don't want to start with a fifth straight ball.

Instead, fire went in.

There may costly beat you.

There's the old one curveball called the strike.

After the check swing.

That's Owen too.

Can this ball game is not out of reach by any means for?

Nemo Vista four run ball game.

If your Honeycutt gets you one more strike, get back in the dugout and let your offense go to work.

Here's the O2 basketball hits turf.

With that, wind continues to whip RJ.

We've been talking about it all game, the flags, the trees need of our camera a little bit.

Our guy in center field.

And it is a windy, windy day.

We'll throw over to first base.

He gets back safely.

Yeah, if you're.

If you're the guys out there on the scaffolding right now, hats off to you.

Yeah, I you know I saw for the softball game they had like a. I had like a little tin or something over the top of the camera guys and the wind picked the teen up there.

They're catching them.

They're trying to get along the camera and the and the 10 would be going man.

Ohh is it a big umbrella?

That's what that's what they're telling me.

Here they are.

You guys are the best.

Yeah you guys are out there battling the wind.

There we go.

2 balls, two strikes.

There's two outs.

As he swung on and missed, got the tag that's the third out in the inning.

No runs one hit.

They leave one of the bags we head to the bottom of the fifth inning where Taylor leads Nemo Vista 6/2.

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Back here in Benton, as Taylor leads Nemo Vista, six to two six runs, eight hits and an air for Taylor, Nemo Vista has got two runs off four hits and two errors, and now joined by Mark Ballestero, the head baseball coach here at Benton.

And you know, we've been sitting here talking about how great the facilities are, and you know, but the one thing Coach is, you know, everybody's starting to go to the turf.

I was a baseball player, you know.

You've been in the game a long time.

How do you teach kids to go and and rake the dirt up around the mound?

And, you know, teach the lessons of baseball like we learned back in the day.

It's there.

That's that's definitely a different situation.

You know, we've always used that as a as a team building opportunity.

And so we have to do a little few have to be a little creative.

Here's a foul pop up.

Have by Wesley Honeycutt.

He's after one pitch gone down with an out and now Ben Disalvo's gonna be due up for Nemo Vista.

You know this is the second year that Ben toasted the state finals, and you know, you got to say for your entire staff.

I mean, not only your staff, but really the entire athletic department really helped out to to bring the finals and and make it the best it can be.

Yeah, we're really honored to be able to host this and show off the the facilities that we have.

And, you know, we're just blessed.

You know we're in a we're in Central Arkansas.

Having something like this to be able to offer for everybody to come in and enjoy, and it's just a it's just a blessing to be here balls one strike as that one found back into the turf.

Coach.

I love the history of baseball in Saline County and everybody talks about you guys.

They talk about Brian.

We talk about guys like Cliff Lee who played here back in the day.

I mean just to be able to lead this program, this historic program.

And now this new chapter.

This brand new facility that's been in the works now for a couple of years.

I can't imagine the feeling.

It's it's a, you know.

I've been here for 32 years and I've got to see a lot of baseball and and I had a lot of sweat and and and and tears and everything else on the field.

But you know, to to be able to to see something like this develop is just amazing.

I I was fortunate to be able to to have our other field built and got to play on it for 20 years and then turned around and and to get something like this.

And I never thought we'd have a feel better than our other one.

And and this is just amazing and.

And just the the players that's come through here.

It's been.

It's been an honor now you don't have to drop any names or anything, but I'm just curious when you play teams that roll into here and they they maybe come here on a Friday night or maybe a midweek battle and they come up to you and say this is where you play every day, huh?

Yeah, it's it's pretty exciting.

It's pretty exciting base hit by the cell phone as he was able to get a nice hopper over the second base bag.

It's an infield hit now.

Cordell Sims will be at the plate coach.

I was wondering we we've talked a lot about the outfield here and you know you got 320 down the line 355 in the gaps and 375.

Is this a rather larger outfield in high school at the high school level?

Because just looking at it, you see some of the gaps in between right and center and things you're like, man, it seems like there's a lot of running room out there if it gets in the gap.

There he is and I think a little bit of it is we have such big foul territory.

You know it's a it, it'll it'll hurt your batting average a little bit with it.

With that much foul territory, I think I heard y'all talking earlier about, you know Bomb Stadium has, you know, be four or five rows in the bleachers, but but it's you know, it's a big.

It's a big high school field, but it it really plays a lot farther than what it is.

But here's the drive over to center field.

It's over the center fielders head.

Logan Harper couldn't run that one down and runners are going to be in second and third for Nemo Vista after Cordell.

Sims put a charge into it and got a double.

Well, what a great piece of hitting right there by Sims we mentioned how good his defense was in the last inning.

I thought that ball was gonna be caught from the jump.

But RJ, I think once again that wind a little bit deceiving, especially at the deep center.

Coach we're talking about how deep your ballpark is.

How many high school stadiums is that thing gone?

Yeah, it's it's tough to get a ball out of here.

You know, it's I guess it's a little bit down in a hole and the ball doesn't carry as good, but this wind, you know we were talking to me and Drew Harris, my assistant.

We're talking earlier today and this is we've seen it in practice.

Few times with the wind blowing out of the South like this, but it's really blown out today so we might see a home run here too.

You know today or you know yesterday and that 6A game we we saw Conway hit a home run in right field and you know that was a little bit deceiving because at first you were like that doesn't seem like it has enough to have a home run.

It just kind of carried and carried and finally got out of here.

But you know going back to the turf I we we mentioned it a minute ago, do you?

It's a new way to teach kids how to slide.

I would imagine on this kind of stuff.

Well it we have sliding.

Practice, yeah, I mean it's it's, you know it's it's a little bit different because you have to, you know get your timing down a little better, but it really gets a little bit tricky when it gets wet.

But you know it's you know the kids don't mind doing it and that's the good thing you can practice at it and they like it.

Now the point you've got.

Patrick Perry Perry walked back in the 1st and had a single in the third inning.

Later came around to score, had a stolen base.

He's had an eventful day.

One out here in the 5th.

Swung on and found out a play going one.

Well, this is a big moment in this baseball game.

We talked about it.

Four runs is not insurmountable for Nemo Vista, one base hit and it's a brand new ball game for the Red Hawks.

Here's the old one.

It's a curveball that misses outside coach.

I was.

I was thinking we were talking about the weather for tomorrow.

Make it a little rain and you know, like on football field, you'll see turf and they drain.

Pretty pretty easily.

How's how's the drainage system?

Here in Benton, you know I've never seen water hold on this field really, it's it does a great job.

I don't.

I think it could rain 5 or 6 inches and we could play in 30 minutes really.

So you're not having, that's the really the another big difference between grass.

You're not having to roll out a tarp and cover everything up.

I mean you just let it let it just do its thing.

Yeah, I mean it's putting on the tournaments is really just simple.

You put the bases out and you play.

Here's two one pitch.

It's going down the right field line and it goes foul.

Coach says your territory right there.

You're talking about enough for him to make that play too, but I think it's so misunderstood sometimes as people from the outside looking in and say oh they are baseball coach.

That's great.

But when you have a grass field, the maintenance how much it takes, you're not only teaching, you're not only coaching.

You've got to do so much preparation just to get the field ready, and then if the weather comes in then you're in real trouble.

But you guys you, it's just something you don't have to worry about anymore, it's it's just.

It's it's great, you know.

I as a coach you I've been able to actually go and practice playing before practices and have coaching meetings and where we were on the field, mowing and dragging and doing everything else.

Here's a hit out to short.

That'll score one run for Nemo Vista after the six three put out.

And so now we're Della will be at the plate and rodello on the day had he had that single back in the third inning that got an RBI.

Now I'm adding that it's a really good hustle there.

Nemo Vista, but it's smart play by Taylor.

You understand you're going to give up a run.

You still got a three run cushion?

Get the out.

See if you can get out of here.

Still up 3.

Christian Rodello struck out in the first.

And a little early on a curveball right there.

Bring the count to Owen one when Lindsay has got that off speed pitch working.

He's trying to work out of this jam.

Lindsay has just been able to somehow some way get out of dicey situations.

Here's the old one another.

Jump up high, it's now one in one Mark Balestier, the Benton baseball coach joins us here in the 5th inning is Taylor leads Nemo Vista 6 to 3.

There's another big swing and a miss.

It's one and two now coach.

I heard you mentioned your assistant Drew Harris a bit in legend of Washington Baptist legend and he trash talk between old head football coach over here in Benton and you guys baseball football better.

Ohh no.

We we we all get along really well.

You know it's it's it's great for both programs to be successful and you know coaching either he tried.

He built this, built the football program to and then coach Harris took over and had just done a great job with it and.

You know, I?

I mean we root each other on now I'm I'm on the sidelines every Friday night grouping them on and coach Harris is over here at the you know, by the dugout rooting us on.

So it's it's.

It's really cool to be.

Appreciate the time, great facilities and and thanks for having us back and we got a few more things left here in this song.

Won the game.

Yes Sir, thank you.

Thank you.

He is Mark Ballestero Taylor leads this one six to three.

You're watching the Centennial Bank State baseball championships in Arkansas.

PBS sports.

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Well, we head to the top of the sixth inning where Nemo Vista gonna run there in the bottom of the fifth inning and now a new pitcher in the ball game.

Born Nemo Vista as cash Mcclendon's going to be in the ball game.

McLennan is 6 and one on the year with a 1.23 ERA with 45 strikeouts and 27 walks, and so he'll be the new pitcher for Nemo vistas.

We start at the top of the sixth inning.

You don't see a lot of pitchers wear sunglasses on the mound.

And.

These new rock and the glasses here to start this 6th inning.

Taylor scored runs in the first inning, the 3rd and the 4th, all two runs apiece, while Nemo Vista scored in the second third and 5th innings.

All one run apiece.

Right now, Taylor six runs on eight hits and an error, while Nemo Vista, three runs six hits and two errors.

It's like you may spend #4 Peyton Smith, so 4 Taylor.

They will lead off with Peyton Smith.

Their one hole hitter.

And he's had an eventful day.

He's been on the bags all three times at a infield hit in the first, came around to score in both the 3rd and the 4th.

Both hit by pitches each time.

You'll start off one of them with a 10 count.

Curveball swung on out to second base, gets past the second baseman for another base hit.

Boy, that's such a great piece of heading to.

Don't try to do too much with it.

An outside pitch, you take it the opposite way and now Taylor and business once again, you know argue they just applied pressure every single inning, even when it hasn't been one of those big moments in the ball game.

They're always just keeping the pressure on.

This memo.

Vista defense?

That's exactly right as rain cranford's at the plate.

Cranford scored twice today and got a base hit in both the 1st and the 4th innings.

Been so impressed with this freshman.

3 for three so far today and he'll get a strike with his first pitch.

From cash, McClendon.

Can't imagine being a Taylor fan here at the ballpark and thinking, Oh yeah, how about three more years of this guy, yeah?

It will show bunt.

It's pulled back.

It's called a strike.

It is a stolen baseball goes into center field and so that's gonna send Peyton Smith all the way to 3rd.

Just kind of been the story of the day so far for the Nemo Vista defense here.

Give up a single and then it quickly turns into a double with an errant throw.

Gets into center field.

Now all of a sudden it becomes a triple.

So.

Ryan Cranford's got an O2 count.

And the ball is high, you know, I, I think the thing that makes Taylor so good is just how aggressive they are on the bass pattern.

It's undeniable their ability to they know exactly what type of baseball team they wanna be.

They've got speed, they've got athleticism again.

They've had a couple of balls hit relatively hard, but nothing just absolutely smoked.

And we talked about how many runs they've scored.

But they manufacture runs.

They do the little things right, and so far it's been the biggest difference in the ball game.

They're not swinging at anything too far outside.

They're taking pitches, getting their speedsters on base.

And once they're on base, they're just quite simply taking advantage.

3 balls, two strikes.

That's swung on a lift to the right field.

That'll bring in a run.

Just another prime example RJF ABC baseball.

You get a guy on you steal a bag, you force an error.

He gets the 3rd and then a single at the right field and all of a sudden that run that Nemo Vista picked up.

They just gave right back.

That's his second RBI of the day.

And now Josh Lindsay comes to the plane.

They walked in the 4th at a sack * in the third, and then flied to center field back in the first inning.

7 to threes are scores were in the top of the sixth inning.

Now the good news is if you're red hog fan out there, you are the home team.

So you got a couple of chances to get back into this one's not over yet.

Is that one will get past the catcher and.

Advance the runner over to 2nd pass Ball.

Bring his account to one and oh for Josh Lindsey.

Still can't get over Cranford 4 for four on the day.

He has just been.

He's been electric.

Pitches up high to take the counts tunnel.

Josh Lindsey today been so effective on the man works quickly.

It looks like it works pretty quickly in the box too.

He gets up there.

Doesn't waste any time swing it too much.

He's ready to go.

Got the swing right there to make it 2 and one on deck is Preston Smith.

Honors and second base.

That's swung on and fouled off.

It's two and two.

That's a really good pitch inside too.

We talked about it, McClelland jammed, Lindsey just a little bit inside, force his hands to get out and.

In the worst way ever, cash McClelland would love a strike out right here.

Two and two.

Her ball up top doesn't quite curve and it's now three and two.

It's gotta be so tough coming into this ball game.

You know you gotta lock things down late and cash is trying to do just that.

Here's the three, two that misses outside.

And now you've got runners at 1st and 2nd.

And once again, Josh Lindsey walks for the second time in this ball game.

So now Preston Smith is at the plate.

Smith on the day had the triple back in the first inning.

Got on with an infield single in the third.

Had a sack flying the four.

Now we're going to have.

Meeting at the mound.

Yeah, I don't know if this is going to be a move or not.

It looks like just a conversation too.

And again four runs.

We talked about it too.

Not insurmountable even visitors been able to hit the ball.

Today they did.

They've got six hits on the afternoon, but they left five on base and this is just a conversation of look.

You gotta be able to control it.

Let's try and keep this thing as best we can to a four run ball game.

And also talking a little bit of defensive strategy if you can.

If you could turn to in the biggest way and Nemo Vista turned that huge double play just last inning, they gave him a little bit of a spark and unfortunately for them Taylor was able to bounce back behind Cranford and get that run back man.

This is a this is a big sequence.

7 to threes are score 16.

Total hits have been in this ball game.

Taylor's got 10 of them.

And of those 10, three are infield hits with months just one of those afternoons, yeah?

No outs here on the top of the sixth inning.

That's gonna get past the catcher and advance runners to second.

And third.

Yeah, I think that was a bit of a cross up.

It looked like.

Catcher and as we talked about, McClellan just weren't on the same page.

I I don't know if that was supposed to be a curveball or fastball, and there was a little bit of a mix up, but Andrews and McClelland just not on the same page.

Here's the 10.

That's a curveball that's in there for a strike.

Preston Smith on the season came in batting 441.

It's pretty.

An average of 441 with four home runs and 37 RBI led the team in RBI.

Here's the two one that's gonna be in the low to make it 3 in one.

Well, now if you're Smith you're really in the driver seat you can.

You can be extremely selective at the dish.

McClellan still trying to find that strike zone.

There's a 31 curveball swung on a miss.

Well that was a big hack when he wanted it too.

You could see that curveball slowing down, and I think if that ball dropped another inch or two, he may just have blasted one out to right field.

But a really nice response from the Cleveland.

And now he's running full second veteran role.

It's been a full count, and it's curveball up high.

And now the bases are loaded.

You don't want to say this is do or die for Nemo Vista, you still got the bottom of the sixth.

The bottom of the seventh, but.

If you're Taylor right now, this is a golden opportunity.

You can't quite feel that state championship ring on your finger just yet, but if you can do some serious damage right here, bases loaded nobody out, you're starting to feel it.

So now Wayland Woodle is going to be at the plate.

Now that in left field at over 15 Leland would know I get it bases loaded.

Nobody out.

They played so much small ball today.

I almost wonder if even in this sequence if you look at a a safety squeeze.

As he swings the first one first one, I know First off, I don't think they're gonna safety squeeze up by 4:00 I get base is looking good, I get it, I get it.

They just proved me wrong all day.

I wouldn't either.

I completely understand it.

It's a it's.

It goes against logic, but I'm just sitting here thinking, gosh, do they dare.

Here's the 01 Swan chop foul down the first base side.

This is an extremely good Bunning team.

To your point.

They they are good and I understand all the baseballs fans out there going.

OK, get this guy off the mic.

He has no idea what he's talking about and but you can even sue see the shift in the Nemo Vista defense they've got first and third playing in.

They do not want to concede or run.

They want to keep it right here if they can.

O2 is up top.

His account to wanted to.

McClelland can somehow get a strike out here.

It would be monumental.

Here's the one too, and curveball misses high.

And it's now two and two Nemo Vista face faithful.

Begging for that strike call looked a little high.

2 balls, two strikes.

That's up top.

It's now three and two.

Well, now you gotta throw a strike.

You can't afford to walk a guy here, especially with no wow.

To make this an 8 to 3 ball game.

This is now the third straight batter that has gone full.

Throw your best pitch right here.

He's going to strike him out and that was his best pitch right on the outside corner.

McClellan gets a much needed strikeout, and now you can back your infield off if you want and play for the double play.

But they may keep the corners in #2 This is now at the plate.

Got a base hit back in the 5th inning.

And he'll give that one a ride to Shell center field coming in to make the catch is the center builder, Harper.

They'll make the throw over the third.

That'll score a run.

And what a great job by Logan Harper's runners are safe at 2nd and 3rd.

That was almost an unbelievable catch out in centerfield.

I thought Harper had it and it just at the very last second.

You can see the baseball fall out of his very last second.

Hard to tell and watch it on the replay.

It just comes out right there it is.

Yeah, and I was motioning.

I thought he had it and it looks like a great diving catch and now they're going to have a conversation.

Did he have it long enough?

Because I I you know.

Sure, hopefully we can show that replay again.

I I thought he had the ball when it when I made the call it was.

It was hard to see it was so tough and and I thought he had it and originally he caught it cause it looks like our second base umpire put the fist up for an out.

Instead it rolled just off the base of the glove and and and comes out just at the last minute just at the last second right there tell.

And.

Looks like they're going to check on the center fielder Logan Harper right now.

And I don't know if the umpires are just having a conversation as they check on Harper if they're having a discussion, but.

Looks like, well, here's the thing.

Like if if they did rule him you got you got to send the runners back to first and 2nd at that.

Or really you don't score the run, so you'd have to send them back the second they all they all saw it, they they once the first base and third base coach saw the ball pop out and there was a clear safe signal afterwards they kept going so it it turns out and everything just to be a single.

With one run scoring.

Do your point too I. I thought he caught it.

And then that baseball came out just at the last second.

If one thing's for sure.

Harper, I wish I could give him an out for the effort he laid out at.

So now Gage Ryans at the plate.

He's over three on the day.

That pace is loaded.

That swung on and missed big cut right there.

Here's the 01 swung on and found out a plan to quickly take the countdown too.

Eight to three zero scored Taylor on top of Emo Vista.

Well, now you're macclellan.

You're in the driver seat, which feels like the first time.

Be selective.

Pitches outside this account to one and two.

Got softball action coming up next.

Here in Arkansas, PBS Sports and then tonight.

At 7:00 o'clock we'll have more baseball action.

As one two pitch gets past the catcher that'll score run runners will advance to 2nd and 3rd.

Yeah, that's just a tough break for cash McClelland.

You get a guy 02 got a chance to get a big strikeout?

Keep this at 8:00 to 3:00 and then one just gets away on you on a curveball that that misses.

Nine to three now in favor of Taylor.

Here's the 22 Swan and mist.

Second, out of the inning, it's big strikeout, right there from McClelland.

So now Jake Petrie's at the plate he's.

Oh for two on the day now.

Adding the center fielder.

#12 Jake Petrie.

Curveball caught the outside corner that time.

It's all in one.

Peter, the sophomore would love to add to this lead if he could, for for Taylor and the Tigers now are.

Couldn't get past the catcher.

We're gonna try scoring another run and they do as Preston Smith coming in to score now the 4th run scored here in the inning.

RJ, we've been talking about it for a while now.

Just one of those things that the constant conversation we've had almost since the beginning of this ball game, doing the little things right small ball.

The wild pitches, past balls, airs in the infield.

Nemo Vista, I fear, is going to look back on this ball game and be kicking themselves that they they just didn't do the little things right.

One one is.

Call the ball.

Think about this though, I mean.

Cash McClendon McClendon has thrown 35 pitches already.

Here's the one too.

Curveball misses outside it's two and two.

Well, I know we've talked so much about.

Honeycutt and Wesley, who pitched his tail off today, he had to battle, and he did a great job of battling too.

And you never want to give the ball up.

And unfortunately, the guy who's who's mostly picked him up all year is is having a rough 6th inning.

As Petra gets hit in the back and he'll head down to first base so now runners will be at 1st and 3rd.

Yeah, just kind of one of those situations where you're trying to throw a curveball.

It just doesn't curve and you end up.

Smacking a guy right on the top of the back and the game is paused now as Petrie is.

Trying to stretch that one out.

And it's you're right there, in that shoulder blade what it did.

Yeah, you know it's not the most comfortable place to I mean not that it's ever comfortable to get hit but you just kind of stretch that thing out a little bit.

Coach asked me one time.

He said, well, if you're gonna wear one, where would you want to and I said I wouldn't prefer not to, but if you were, but if I was, you know, maybe if we had all that padding like everybody wears nowadays I would have felt differently about it back in the late 90s.

Aiden Hossley at the plate now.

As that'll be called a strike.

Good pitch there from McClellan too.

You can tell what he wants to do.

He's the southpaw is trying to get that.

Trying to get that breaking ball.

That curveball to fall in and and at times just looks beautiful and other times it just hasn't been able to control it.

There's the 01 popped up into shallow center field coming in as Harper Hill makes the catch and that'll retire Taylor in the four in the 6th inning.

They put up four runs in the sixth.

They lead this thing.

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Back here in the bottom of the sixth inning where Taylor leads Demo Vista 2:50.

You know I was looking over the state tournament for Taylor and they beat Sacred Heart 14 to four.

They beat West side Greers Ferry 11 and 9 and they beat Mount Ida 11 to one.

It's like double digits are expected.

I mean that's that's a lot of runs.

That would be what 36 runs.

Just wondered down, yeah I just wonder if you're you know if you're a resident of tailor your whole life.

If if you're just born in the next day they just hand you a mic and the bat cause softball team wins the state championship earlier today and now the baseball team looking like they're well on their way to a state title and you can kind of hear the chance in the background and now see the Taylor faithful, many of them on their feet.

They're they're starting to understand they're six out six outs away from something special.

New picture in 4.

Taylor as it is.

Jesse Humphreys holding off here the pressure, right-handed pitching line.

Logan Harper.

So Logan Harper is the first batter he'll face.

Is that one's found off down the right field side.

Getting you almost feel bad for Logan Harper the center fielder.

What an amazing effort he had in the top of the sixth inning.

We both thought he made an amazing catch I was about to say Sports Center, top ten and baseball just trickles out of his glove and another run would score for Taylor.

So the old one is now owing 2 and.

Working quickly as umphreys.

Just like his predecessor, not wasting much time at all.

Swivel and look to the left center field given chase as both the center field and a little filler, and they can't get to it and that'll be a stand up double.

What a great piece of hitting two RJ we've been talking about it all afternoon.

The gaps in left center and right center, and now Nemo Vista able to take advantage of what a rip there by Harper.

He could feel a little bit of frustration in that swing for not making that play in center field.

He just lets it rip and now he's on second with a clean double.

Now that ain't the catcher now.

Jax Andrews.

The catchers at the plate he's owed for two on the day with a strikeout.

And I'll say this RJ this is how rallies start.

You get a guy who steps up, gets a double, gets you a couple hits, string it together you you can't score 7 and one it bad so you got to put them together.

They put a bunt down the third base side make the long throw he gets you out but it doesn't advance Harper to third base.

1/3 on the put out for the first out here in the 6th and now cash McClendon.

We'll be at the plate.

#3 cats McClellan.

I almost believe there that he's trying to bunt not just for a sacrifice for a hit.

Maybe he can leg it out because it's a great play.

Great fundamental play, but down seven with with your outs limited.

That's a that's a bit of a tough break, but a good try that's swung on lifted out to right field.

Going back is acock, and he'll make the catch and that'll bring in a run to score.

Please add one to their total after the sack, fly by McClellan.

Kind of taking a page out of Taylor's playbook, playing little ABC baseball.

You get a double Bunny guy over and then a sack fly out to right field.

Now my fundamental baseball team for the Red Hawks.

So now Caleb Freeman is at the plate, he's.

Oh for two with the sack fly.

That's swung on.

Lift it out to shallow left.

Center will drop in for a base hit.

So now back to the heart to the top of the order with Wesley Honeycutt.

Honeycutt got hit by a pitch in the second.

And he's out for two.

Other than that, well, you know he wants to do something special here.

Down six runs late in this ball game.

A senior doesn't want this to be his last at bat in his high school career.

Look for Wesley to try and do something special here.

Here's the one O pitch that hits the dirt.

Honeycutt off for two.

So far.

Today.

Trying to be patient again, you're down.

Six runs are in the bottom of the sixth inning.

You need base runners.

Find a way to get on if it's a walk hit by pitch, single, bunt, whatever.

Got to find a way to get on.

Here's two, oh that's swung on, lined out to left centerfield.

That's a base hit.

And now you can kind of hear that red hog faithful come alive.

And.

And here's a little bit of the frustrating.

Part is I I get the sacrifice bunt.

You lay it down you you do the fundamentals and you get the sack blunt, but now you've had two guys hit a couple of singles and that's got to be a little frustrating for Nemo Vista to lay down the sag bun and get it out, because now there's two outs when when you could have had possibly just one.

Well, Ben Ben Disalvo is gonna be at the plate.

He's got two base hits today.

He's 2 for three.

He came around to score back in the 5th inning.

He'll work with two on.

Disalvo's not much of a home run guy.

In fact he's not hit one all year, but he does have 17 RBI's not bad at all too.

And and you talked about it.

We've we were speaking with coach a little bit earlier in the 5th about the dimensions of this ballpark.

One down the liner and the gap.

It's going to score 2 without a doubt so you don't have to knock it out of the park.

Just keep the line moving.

That once popped up right side and the foul territory.

Any other other side of that coin?

This is big for umphreys you're ahead Owen 2 nothing cheap.

Don't don't just throw one right down the pipe.

You know that Disalvo is gonna be protecting the plate and that that's probably the conversation they're having right now.

You're one strike away, settle in.

I know you've given up some hits but you're still in the driver seat.

If you ever wasted one in the dirt, now's the time.

O2 on the way that's Swan fouled off came with the change at that time at 67 miles an hour.

That's a good job by Disalvo, keeping his hands back.

I know you're it's tough to wait on sometimes, too, especially when you're used to a fastball but kept his hands back.

Was able to foul it off.

Nothing you could do there right on that outside corner.

Here's the O2 that's swung on this pass.

The pitchers man.

They'll tap 2nd and that'll get him out of the inning.

So.

For Nemo Vista, they get one run off of two base hits, a strand one, and when we head to the top of the seventh Taylor will be back up as they lead this 110 to 4.

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New picture on the mound for Nemo Biston has.

Looks like they'll have.

It's like it's gonna be Patrick Perry, the shortstop who has come in now to.

To relieve Cashman McClellan.

Looks like Wesley Honeycutt is over at short now.

Well, what's your hoping for here?

It's Nemo Vista.

You need your shortstop Harry to come on in.

Shut things down, get you a quick 123 inning gave herself a fighting chance with the bottom of the 7th and see what your offense can do again.

These offenses can explode at any given time.

Perry hoping for a shutdown inning Taylor hoping to maybe salt this thing away.

Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please and update to the battery so we are in the top of the 7th inning where Taylor leads at 3:50 over Nemo Vista.

You can't see the fun these guys are having too.

I know it's frustrating at times.

You haven't played your best baseball, but you man, you're in a state championship ball game with your brothers.

You're having fun and you got to enjoy this.

You got to smile.

You got to take advantage of the situation.

And that's what it's all about.

Have a good time and.

For Nemo Vista and their fans, hoping Perry can take care of business in this inning.

And he's gonna hit his first batter his.

It was Patrick or excuse me no it was.

Actually, Peyton Smith, who was leading things off and got hit by the pitch, and so he'll head to first base, and that's the third time today that he's been hit by a pitch.

Ask him what did I do to you guys, I mean.

So now rain cranford's going to be at the plate.

Quick conversation with coach too and wouldn't be shocked at all one bit with a little bit of a sacrifice here for Taylor.

They've been so good at it all afternoon.

Now that is a shortstop #9 rain credit for.

First, pitch to Cranford is called a strike on the outside corner.

Cranford on the days scored three times he had a base in the first.

He had a base in the fourth, he had a base hit in the 6th.

Got two RBI got on the bags in the third because of an error.

I puts the ball in play here out.

At first we'll make the throw to 2nd but it's not in time.

So Peyton Smith will advance to second base.

Cranford out at first.

You know, I don't wanna get ahead of myself or Jane.

I know he just lost his perfect day at the play.

But if this score holds, I do believe we were just looking at possibly our MVP in the afternoon.

I think you're probably right, as Josh Lindsay's now up, he's walked twice today and then he flied to center field and had a sack bun.

And they're taking no one.

Something else I've noticed too is that we were talking about all the equipment and everything.

The wristband for the pitch selection.

Yeah, as well, that's that's a brand new one.

01 curveball outside.

You count to 11.

You know that's that's really kind of started in utrip it did you you saw a lot of kids rather than having to learn signs as the one one is inside called a strike you saw where they went with the football wristband.

To communicate, got to understand the different aspects of it.

You know you don't have to deal with signs as much and that was a nasty pitch and nasty breaking ball for the strikeout.

But also we discussed 2 speeding the game up a little bit.

Not necessarily at high school.

I think the pace is fine in in high school just with the you're not playing a not ending ball game but we talked about too.

Just you know?

Whatever the special three Major League levels, they're all in.

And what we're doing we're we're we're not learning how to write baseball fields and we're using you don't have to rate you don't have to learn signs.

I mean why don't we just yell what we're out there?

This, let's play let's play a video game only kidding as that first pitch sales outside the Preston Smith hey look E Sports are a real thing I know it they're popular too.

I don't know how many stories we've done on them and discussed him.

You can get scholarships now for esports.

Hey, it's a AAA sanctioned event.

How about it?

Yeah.

As that's called a strike on the outside corner, I will admit I don't think I'm your your analyst.

Well see, I told I told Bobby that when we start broadcasting E Sports I wanna I wanna make sure I'm on the call for that as the one one is a little high now two in one.

You know, I I do the play by play for football basketball and now baseball so it's only fitting that I I get in there on some Call of Duty.

Come on, yeah, let's go come on.

Here's the two one that's swung on, popped up, left side.

3rd baseman Simms got called off by Honeycutt and he had to make an acrobatic catch to get the third out.

So.

If Nemo Vista is gonna win A state championship, they've gotta do it here in the bottom of the seventh inning.

They trailed 3:50 and you're watching this Centennial Bank State baseball championships on Arkansas.

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Available wherever you listen, it's the umpire man.

He's jacked.

Yeah, that was a nice shot.

This for his physical, I'm telling you it's like a trend.

Now every this guy.

I mean he's like the Ed Hockley, of of High school baseball.

You can't tell me he wasn't pumping iron with Brad Harris over there at the party pumps before he came out on the on the diamond.

He heard it was gonna be televised.

He looks good.

Looks good.

Here's the first pitch.

Is it swung on?

By Cordell Simms and his partner center field.

For the first out.

Well, that's what you want if you're Jesse Umphrey's, you don't want a lot of drama in this final frame.

If you're if you're lucky and tailored one, pitch one out, you can see the faithful starting to applaud and clap their hands, and they can feel it.

Patrick Perry steps in with one out on the day he walked, got in with the base hit in the third, and then grounded out to short back in the 5th.

Hill put it right into that one right at the shortstop, and he lined out for the second out.

How about that?

Trying to take the drama out of it is Jesse Umphrey's.

2 pitches, 2 outs.

That was an absolute line.

Great hit right there, but unfortunately for Nemo Vista, right place, right time for Taylor and now you can hear the Tiger faithful.

They're seeing the state title in their future.

So now Christian Rodello is at the plate with two Oz.

He struck out twice today to get a base hit back in the third.

Here's a pitch that bounces into the turf.

It's all in one.

So he won't get 3 outs on 3 pitches.

He bounces one up there, but I'd be a little overanxious too if I was one out away from the state championship.

Here's the one O that's swung on, lifted high left side to be into foul territory.

Comes back there.

It's caught for a state championship.

They do, the dogpile offers just laying on the mound and waiting for his teammates to come.

And there's your dog pile as Taylor.

They win another state championship as they win at 3:50.

Hey Dan, he just sat there and waited, didn't hug his catcher.

You see the dog pile, and that's really what it's all about.

A big congratulations to Taylor.

They did all the little things right today they took care of business.

Defensively bunts, strategic hitting, stealing bases.

They did it all today and they were very, very deserving.

Champion, we'll take a break, and when we come back we will have the trophy presentation and go over final stance in this one.

But your Class 1A state champion, it's the Taylor Tigers as they defeat Nemo Vista 3:50 you're watching the Centennial Bank State baseball Championships and Arkansas PBS sports.

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As both teams go and shake hands here in Benton, the Taylor Tigers win at 3:50 in the Class 1A state championship over Nemo Vista.

RJ Hawk with Hayden Bell, Gabby, and Hayden.

You know, I mean really, until the 6th inning this game, I mean.

It was a three run game and really competitive and then Taylor just broke it open.

In the sixth you honestly felt like this ball game could go either way.

The first couple of innings Taylor jumped on the board first.

Playing small ball was fantastic.

Smith running the bases took advantage of every opportunity and it was really just a little things this afternoon.

That was the difference.

I think if you looked at this small game and didn't watch any of it, you just saw the box score.

He thought maybe a couple of home runs.

Taylor did what they did offensively, but it's the way they did it, taking advantage of every single mistake.

That Nemo Vista had not only on the mound, but defensively.

Too many errors cost the red Hawks with some past balls, and Taylor did what great teams do.

They did what champion teams do.

They took advantage.

As Nemo Vista is getting their runner up trophy right now, they had a great season.

I mean what they you know they.

They really finished, you know, on a great run they had an 8 game win streak and just ran into a buzzsaw with a very, very good Taylor team.

Well, and I I loved what you said earlier too, and they're battles against Washita earlier in the season, losing by the numbers that they did.

I think if you would have told that fan base that not only are you gonna beat Washington in the semifinals, you're going to storm all the way and go to A state championship ball game and you get to take a runner up trophy back home.

I I think fans would not only be very pleased, I think they'd be very proud of this Red Hawk baseball team.

And they they showed all year long just how good they were.

And there's Taylor getting their championship trophy.

Let's go over some final stats in this one for Taylor leading the way was rain, Cranford, four or five hitting two RBI.

I definitely say that he's probably our player of the game.

I liked him too.

The young fella.

I mean, you're looking around and you're thinking, Taylor?

My gosh, we got this guy for three more seasons.

What's one state championship and one MVP?

He's got to be feeling like Magic Johnson is rookie year winning the state championship.

It's great.

Also getting hits.

Jaden Smith went two for two in the game, then you had Preston Smith went one for two with two RBI.

Wayland Woodall went one for four with an RBI and then Mason Lindsay two of three with an RBI for Nemo Vista leading the way for them was Ben de Salvo.

With he was two of four and then Logan Harper was two of three.

Nash Lindsey pitched 5 innings, six hits, three runs, two earned runs, two walks, 7 strikeouts.

Umphrey's worked 2 innings, give it three hits, a run, no strikeouts or walks for Nemo Vista.

Wesley Honeycutt went five innings, gave up eight hits, six runs.

3 strikeouts and three walks while McClendon went one inning.

Four runs, three hits had two strikeouts and then Patrick Perry had one inning of work in this one.

Let's go ahead and take a look at the next game, and that's going to be in softball action here on Arkansas.

PBS sports.

It's Nashville taking on Valley View in the four a softball game, you can see all that action right here on Arkansas PBS Sports.

Well, Hayden, we're going to do it.

You and I are going to do it again tomorrow, tomorrow.

Looking forward to it.

They went in the three a gonna be a lot of fun.

We talked about it Ashdown taking on the defending champion a Harding Academy Wildcats.

I can't wait, let's do it again tomorrow.

It'd be a lot of fun.

We'll be back tonight.

Bobby Swafford gonna join me on the call for the 4A Baseball Championship tonight here on Arkansas PBS sports, that'll start at 7:05 right here.

But coming up next, it's the four a softball championship between Valley View and Nashville.

So for Hayden, Ball gave you everybody at Arkansas.

PBS sports.

I'm RJ Hawke, your final in the 1A championship.

Taylor wins.

3:50 over Nemo Vista you're watching the Centennial Bank State Baseball Championships, an Arkansas PBS sports.