A beautiful night in Conway, Arkansas, as the smallest classification in Arkansas, sports arise on the biggest stage.

It is the one a girls softball championship between the Taylor Tigers and the Bradley Lady Bears.

Welcome to Ferris Field alongside Bobby Swafford.

I am Dorian Kraft.

Bobby, when you think about excellence in softball in the state of Arkansas, you think about the Taylor Tigers.

Taylor playing in their sixth consecutive state championship game, looking to be just the second program in state history to win six in a row.

But to do that, they are going to have to defeat their rival, Bradley, and not only to get here six years in a row, but they have won the last five.

But their biggest rival, as you mentioned, they share a school year only 19 miles away, the fifth meeting between these two teams.

They split the first four, of course, ultimate bragging rights on the line today, split the first four games, all the statistics very even.

Let's take a look at how both teams got to this point playing for this one state championship.

We start with the Bradley Lady Bears.

They beat County line 18 to 3 in the opening round.

Very convincing win, another convincing win over Calico Rock 6 to 1 and continuing to just roll through the bracket.

Bradley making their presence known with an eight one win over wonder view to get the matchup with Taylor.

For the Lady Bears, it is all about Jackie Kellner in the lineup.

Yes, she does it all for the Lady Bears.

How about a 584 batting average and on base percentage of almost 600?

But how would that last number on your screen?

50 RBI is that's a real number when you only play 3032 games, 50 RBI as just jumps off your screen.

She is going to be the reason this team does or does not succeed and mainly succeeds.

That's why they're here in the finals.

I like how you say that's a real number.

Let's be honest.

It's a video game number having 50 RBI in the season for the Lady Bears.

Meanwhile, for the Taylor Tigers, their road has been an easy one as well.

Is they 17 nothing win over Mulberry to start then moving on a little bit closer a four nothing win over Viola and then moving on three one over Midland.

So Taylor getting closer and closer in those margins and you want to talk about close games.

There have been no more closer games that Taylor has played than Bradley this year, but for Taylor, they are paced both in the circle and at the plate by Ella Buford.

Yeah, she does it both with the stick with the ball in her hand.

The glove doesn't matter.

How about a 481 batting average of 588 on base percentage and then to make things even better, 135 pitches innings pitch.

How about 140 strikeouts in the era of 1.09?

So that means she's just giving up a one run every time she steps out onto the field when she's got it working in the circle.

Taylor is really tough to beat and also kind of mainly why they're, you know, a five time defending state champion, regional champion, and of course, the home team here today having success in both the field and at the plate.

And you talk about how close the last four games have been, Taylor Bradley, they've split the previous four meetings.

The total runs 11 to 11.

The total hits, Bradley has 15, Taylor has 14 errors, Bradley has seven, Taylor has five.

That just really speaks to how close this series has been this year.

Yeah, it really does.

And the more important thing is Bradley won the two regular season meetings, right?

And so they win the conference championship, but it matters in the postseason.

Taylor won the contest in the regional tournament.

That's why they were the number one seed coming into the state tournament and also why they have home field advantage because they get the higher seed here today.

And so Taylor knows how to win big games in the big moment.

You mentioned the five consecutive wins here in the championship game.

They know how to get the job done when it matters most.

But how do they handle the pressure of not only playing here in Conway, UK, but they're their best friends?

Their biggest rival is the school that's just 19 miles down the street.

When they get on the bus, it literally says Bradley Emerson Taylor School District.

It has all three of their names right there on the bus.

It's like they can't even get on their own school bus without having to see the other team's name.

You know, this game is going to mean a lot to both of these squads.

Bobby To your point, you speak about the experience for Taylor coming in the five previous state championships.

How much does that play into going for number six, knowing that you've been in this situation?

You know, honestly, I think with each passing year, I think the pressure just grows and grows because the expectation is there.

A lot of times you see professional or college teams who always so successful use raise that bar every year.

And it's a disappointment when you don't meet that expectation.

Even now for Taylor softball, even Taylor baseball, who, by the way, just went back to back with a win today, the expectation is not to make the state tournament, not to make the state finals.

The expectation is to win a state championship.

And I really do think when you're 16, 18 years old, that pressure can kind of get you hasn't got to Taylor in the last five years.

But at some point will they crack Will today be that day?

I'm not sure if it is but obviously they're they're facing a squad who knows everything about them and is right there with them.

It's amazing to see the teams two teams employed full run four games against each other and scored the exact same number of runs.

Also at what point since Taylor baseball won the state title earlier today, at what point do we crown Taylor, the Champions of Diamonds?

Sports is the best diamond sports program in the state.

Yeah, spring sports itself certainly can take control of the best team.

I've always wanted to give an overall championship, you know, as far as, you know, starting to fall in in the spring.

Taylor would be right in the middle of that conversation.

But we are just about set here from Ferris Field on the one eight state championship between Bradley and Taylor, the first pitch delivered on the outside corner for a strike.

It will be Emily Lyons, Maddie McDonald and Jackie Kellner to lead things off for the Bradley Lady Bears.

Ainslie More if anybody gets on in.

Bradley looking to strike first.

Buford A little bit off the outside corner, one and one and of course in the early innings is always that feeling out process, you know whose nerves are going to be able to settle in.

Of course, finding the strike zone is step number one, but also making your opponent throw strikes or making your opponent swing.

The bat is going to be key as well.

Fouled away as Buford works on their head in the count, wanting to go back to the comfort level and the familiarity between these two teams.

It's not just the two teams, but to be comfortable and familiar with the opposing pitcher.

How much does that play into how this matchup differs from the previous four?

Yeah, there's going to be no surprises between these two teams.

They know exactly the pitching repertoire that they're going to face swung on and missed for strike three.

Yeah, they're not going to be surprised by anything.

It's not like they can magically throw a new play in like you did in football or basketball or even volleyball to a certain extent.

You know exactly what you're going to see from your opponent.

The key is can you go out there and get the job done and outplay them on the biggest stage before getting the job done for the first batter in the Lady Bears lineup now facing Matty McDonald inside the box, first pitch swinging for a strike.

And I like how she's attacking the strike zone early.

You know, that's always key.

And of course, you always want to get ahead in the count.

Then you can expand the zone and make hitters Chase McDonald batting 393 on the year off the outside corner flared out in the right field, just fell.

Donald did a really nice job of staying back as long as she could on that changeup.

Really had to slow the bat down and just couldn't slow down enough to keep that one fair.

McDonald Been a tough out on the season only two strikeouts in 110 plate appearances so typically puts the ball in play finding herself down oh two in the count here in the top of the first yeah you know to come low.

You know in today's day and age when it's all about, you know, power numbers and launch angle to see someone put the bat on the ball that often striking only twice in the entire season.

It's not only great to see, it's refreshing because it just doesn't happen very often anymore to strike out 17 walks.

So ball in play lapse that one foul down the right field line.

I don't think they really got into talking about launch angle in softball that much yet.

I think that's probably the next step in the sport, probably not far from it.

It's always that trickle down effect of homeruns hit in the sport nowadays to start working in exit velocity launch angle, the one to foul it away again as McDonald working hard inside the box Donaldson putting together a nice at bat here quality outs you mentioned that in the first game we call it today the six day state championship inside and out and baseball softball is not necessarily a bad thing as long as the quality at bat she's making her walks obviously will try to run that pitch, count up as high as you can, swung on and missed.

So back to back strikeouts for Ayla Buford to start this one, a state championship game.

It's a nice job by Buford just to continue to attack the zone, make him put the bat on the ball.

And she's been so great at it all year long at McDonald, but this time not able to make contact.

And the first two batters have been set down, swinging.

Third strike out of the year of Matty McDonald Taylor throwing to the ever dangerous Jackie Kelner.

He fouls away the first 584 batting average four homers 50 RBI 26 extra base hits.

She's dangerous even not necessarily leave the yard every time, but she has got power to all fields.

26 extra base hits, 59 hits overall, so more than half of counters base hits are extra bases.

That's going to go for extra bases.

It's going to go for all for a home run for Jackie Kelner to put Bradley on top.

In the first I mentioned she's got power to all feel and she certainly has power to the gap and that one middle in and able to just turn on it and launch it to the cheap seats out of left center field.

And what a big boost to Bradley to start this game and give them still some confidence against the five time defending champs boomed out to the berm here at Ferris Field that gets the Bradley fans on their feet Lady bears with the one nothing lead.

Take a look at this.

Just left that one up over the plate about letter high and Kellner able to do the rest Nice swing and able to trot around the bases.

No better feeling than hitting a home run in the state championship game fifth of the year for calendar.

How big is it for the lady Bears to have plated one early?

I think it's big, especially against this Taylor team.

Take a lead before they come up to the plate.

They've beaten them twice this year, so it's not like you have this huge, you know, I guess the aura about themselves that they can't be beaten like these, lost to them two or three or four times in a season.

They know that they are just as good as they are.

But now but jumping out to a lead on this stage where Taylor has had so much success, you never know how that's going to translate in how they handle those emotions.

First pitch in the turf to Ainsley more and to your point, the games this season have been close.

Bradley one 2 to 1 back on March 14th.

Taylor one three nothing on March the 18th that one wrote out in the left field gap that's going to be extra bases is more turning the corner.

She is going to be in to second with a stand up double, a little bit of contact at the base.

The more will be saved.

So back to back two out hits for Bradley.

You can tell Bradley's kind of at times tightened up the pitching already as she was seen to do the power rally and in left center field first the home run from Keltner.

Now Moore does a nice job just turning on this one in a row, a one hopper to the fence and able to get into second base.

Not the most graceful trot in the second base, but hey, if we'll take what you can get now she's in scoring position.

They all count the same as long as you are safe.

And so now more standing on second base is Chelsea Whitford Steps to the plate.

357 Average a lot of really high numbers in this Bradley lineup as you'd expect little flare snag over at first by McHenry and that is the end of the inning but Bradley gets on the board thanks to a solo home run off the bat of Jackie Kellner lady Bears have the lead one nothing.

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Bottom of the first inning.

Taylor finding themselves trailing one nothing courtesy of a Jackie Kellner.

Two outs solo home run.

And now the Tigers will come to bat with a chance to tie.

They will be led off by Ella Buford, Madison, Lindsay and Reese.

Ballard.

You up here?

The home half the first Maggie McHenry waiting.

Should anybody get on?

And they will be facing Ainsley Moore inside the circle.

First pitch, swinging for a strike.

A lot of a lot of softball left here, Dorian.

But you got to think.

You always answer time.

You always want to be able to bounce back and respond.

Missy Brantley struck first with the home run killer.

Ken Taylor knew to respond.

Obviously, in the top of the order is a good place to start.

Ripped out to right field.

That's a leadoff single for Buford and Taylor Tigers in business for Madison.

Lindsey hitting in the two hole for the Tigers 397 average for the junior 534 on base percentage.

And if there is one player in the Taylor lineup that has a ton of power at the plate, it is Lindsay ten home runs on the season taken on the outside corner for a called strike.

So Gifford's come.

I'm sorry.

Excuse me.

Morris obviously not afraid to attack the zone.

And that's what you have to do.

Make them beat you early on.

Makes them a prove that they can put the ball in play consistently.

That ball put out to play in the left center field.

It's going to get down.

Buford being held at third.

Back to back hits for the Taylor Tigers off in the double by Madison Lindsey nice job by Lindsey to really stay down And when you see the replay on this, you can see her head stayed down and threw them at softball.

And it follows that one through goes the opposite way and double into the gap.

And just like that, Taylor's got runners in second and third and nobody out.

How quickly Taylor can strike despite being down one one and Reese Fowler, the number three hitter 250 average 372 on base percentage of the big RBI opportunity here in the home half of first through more you just have to really settle in come into Arkansas Tech, you know 1.61.

He already strikes out 210 and just 130 innings of work.

So she's capable.

She's got the skill set.

She just has to really settle the nerves and find her groove one to the left, high two.

And how do you like the decision to hold Buford at third?

I mean, depending on who you play, I mean, because obviously they know their opponent very well.

You know, if they're tempted to, you know, lay down a squeeze here, maybe try to keep her a little closer.

The 202 Fowler squeeze attempt, It goes back to the backstop.

Buford on her way in.

She is safe.

This game is tied at one.

That's the one thing you have to be able to avoid here in the state championship game.

And really, at any level, you can't afford it, can't afford those cheap runs.

You know, you've already given up a single and a double to start this contest.

Make them earn the runs.

Obviously, that one goes to the backstop on the wild pitch and you got to get home and make that make that play or try to.

And you can't afford to give up cheap runs and get to a team.

As successful as Taylor's been, Lindsay moved to third on the wild pitch as well.

So now just 60 feet away from Taylor taking the lead ball in play down the third base line.

But foul and Bobby clearly you and Taylor thinking along the same lines as Fowler's shown but on each of the last two pitches when you're trying to push those runs across when they're ever so important, you've played against Bradley four times a year and you've only scored 11 runs.

I'm not a great math guy.

That's, you know, it's a little more than two runs, less than three runs per contest.

So runs are going to be at a premium.

So we've got a chance to push one across the scoring position.

You got to take advantage two to set out to left field in shallow left.

The catch is not made.

The ball will get down, Lindsay will score, being waved around.

A third is Fowler.

She is in with an RBI 333 straight hits for the Taylor Tigers plate.

Two runs, a single, a double and a triple in order.

Yeah.

You really like the effort there by the left fielder Emily Young.

But once that ball gets by her, there's nothing but green grass in front of Fowler and she's able to get all the way over to third.

And just when you thought the damage was done again, Taylor has a runner in scoring position.

Still nobody out, no one out here in the home half of the first inning.

Taylor All three batters have reached two runs in is Maggie McHenry swings through the first pitch for a strike and the lineup doesn't get any easier for Bradley as McHenry batting for 36 the senior with nine home runs on the year of 527 on base percentage.

The one take taken high and the runs haven't been real plentiful in the series against from one another.

2213.

Nothing three two.

Only one game in which they combined for 11 there really couldn't go an offensive outburst so these runs these runners in scoring position are going to be really important as both of these pitching staffs have been dominant.

The 11 combined runs came on April the 19th.

That was a win by Bradley before Taylor took the last meeting between these two.

That was in the regional final back on May six, that also a32 game.

So it feels like we're on pace for a few more.

They can't strike at the top of the zone and even to count at two and two, the sun starting to set here in Conway.

And that could play a factor, of course, in the outfield as you start to see the shadows, especially in left field, just fully engulfed in shadows, but center and right still on the sun side, kind of pay attention to that.

See if that comes into play.

McHenry steps back out of the box as the home plate umpire goes to talk to Lee Bradley.

Head coach, you're getting a look at head first year head coach Kyle Foster speaking to the home plate umpire, home plate umpire tonight, Lawrence Askew at first base.

It's there.

And Scott and Jeff Boone over at third is the umpiring crew, Courtney McHenry down at third base for Taylor.

So it is two two.

Still No one out for Taylor in the bottom of the first inning.

Two runs in shot.

It's going to squib just out of the reach of Kellner at home.

So McHenry will come back to the plate, will do the two two again feel like this is a big moment, especially for Bradley.

You know, the damage has already been done.

You've already given up the lead that you had, but you can't let this one get out of hands more than you to that one.

Up and away.

Here comes Fowler.

She's in.

And Taylor has played in three now in the bottom of the first inning after falling behind one nothing.

This is a huge response from the Tigers.

It really is.

I mean, three base hits are one thing, but two of those three runs have now scored on wild pitches.

So you have to be able to settle down.

And self-inflicted wounds are the easiest way to lose a state championship game.

We've seen it time and time again.

Baseball, softball, no matter what sport it is, you can't shoot yourself in the foot.

And this time, Bradley has given up two runs on three base hits for two runs on wild pitches.

And now Taylor is out to a31 lead.

You talk about the importance of settling down.

What is the best way for a pitcher to settle down in this situation?

We had a full count here, a punch out would be really big.

Just two more is hard numbers all season long have been through the roof.

As far as the strikeout numbers to get a strike would be huge in play over to second base over the first in time for the first out of the inning as Lynn makes a throw over to Whitfield to get into a psyche of a pitcher.

You know, Grant, I was not once on I don't have that same psyche.

But if you consider yourself a strikeout pitcher with more obviously is we're talking 210 strikeouts in 130 innings of work.

So every time you step onto the rubber, you're expecting to strike out one out of every three.

And when you start to have the team consistently put the ball in play.

Now, four straight batters, maybe that creeps into your mind, Hey, maybe I don't have my best stuff today.

Catch is the lower part of the zone going up against McKayla Downs Downs another one of these Taylor Tigers with a home run on the resume, two on the year with a 268 average and goes after the rival quickly ahead in the count oh two.

That also helps when you're struggling inside the circle time you can force the team to chase and something you know your stuff's good.

Changeup floats high, but the more obviously is his equipped to settle down even in 130 innings, 1.61 era only 71 hits allowed committed to play at the next level.

Swung on and missed four strikes three first strike out of the night for Ainslie more Sometimes all it takes is that first swing and miss that first out to me or Corey.

You can start to calm down, settle the nerves a little bit.

You don't feel like the weight of the world is on top of your shoulders and that you can go out and throw your game too away.

Here for Taylor in the home half the first Madison McClellan standing in that takes a called first strike.

Then we'll start to see the sir hurt, to relax a little bit and throw a little more confidence.

They one fouled away and quickly ahead in the count oh two.

So after the first three batters reached in and then scored, this would be big for Ainslie.

More to come back and get the next three batters and get back in the dugout Let her off and try to chip away at this Taylor lead that that's not that hard to take in low and away McClellan the junior hitting 304 on the year 385 on base percentage how called strike three on the outside corner the big bounce back then that any more getting back to back strikeouts to end the first but Taylor gets three.

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Already lots of offense here in the one eight state championship between the Bradley Lady Bears and the Taylor Tigers.

Bradley got on the board.

First, courtesy of a solo home run by Jackie Kellner before Taylor pounced for three runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Now it will be Kelsey Whitford, eight, and Alexander in Terra Weems drew up for Bradley in the top of the second alley lane hitting in the ninth hole.

Should anyone get on first pitch ball?

Buford, Wisconsin's second time in history, has such first two pitchers have missed high and outside.

If any of the games today have shown us anything, you think back to the six eight state championship between Bryant and Cabot Bryant down to their final three outs before they were able to turn the tide in their favor.

Lots of game left to go.

There's a strike.

This is not the same batter who ended the last inning.

This is Kelsey Winfield, her twin sister, and they're both freshmen.

Chelsea Whitfield back to back in the lineup, number 16 and 34, Bradley, two freshmen starting.

They're right in the middle of the lineup for Bradley.

Put in play over the short Nulty with the strong throw to first to retire Whitford So that tells you that they're really good this year.

I'm going to be really, really good for the next three years, as long as the two wheat fields are right in the middle of that lineup.

The future is certainly bright for Bradley, but they're one to not worry about the future.

Maybe win a title today.

A young team taking the field for Bradley.

To your point, Lady bears with a lot of underclassmen.

So setting up what could be a rivalry for years to come, even more so than it already is.

First pitch found a way off with the bat of eight and Alexander Alexander hitting 282 on the year six doubles one triple yes swings and misses as you are quickly ahead in the count.

Oh, to chase that one up and out of the zone now before being up oh two, she kind of can really dive into her repertoire and maybe try to get her to chase another one out of the zone and get an easy punch out you for dealing with some shadows on the pitching rubber here at Ferris Field.

Oh, to take it outside for a caught ball.

I'll defer to you on this.

How difficult is it if the pitchers in the sun you've got shade, sun and then shade where you are as a hitter.

Is that really effective ball or is this where the yellow softball actually comes into play and helps you out a little bit?

Softball helps, but the way that the stripes are is that's a changeup swung on and missed for strike three.

But they're only two strips of light that are coming across the lane for the rubber to the plate.

So not too much, but it is a little bit more difficult here in about 10 minutes that won't matter as the sun continues to set here in Conway.

It's a conversation piece, at least for right now, getting a little bit of a late start here in the one H.S.

championship game is Terry Weems takes the ball high game between Bryant and Cabot in the 60 state championship two and a half hour battle between six eight Titans, so about 12 minutes late with first pitch here in the one in state title game lined out to left field just foul so really nice swing there from wind.

I like the idea of going the other way by wings and there's a good look at the sun beaming down as it is now.

737 Central Daylight time.

Beautiful night for softball here in the state of Arkansas.

We can use a lot more of this tomorrow.

Weather whether stay away swung on and miss Strike two as Bobby is trying to manifest good weather in Conway for tomorrow.

Doing all that again, I don't know if I have that much power, though.

Man of many talents.

Do you play by play?

You do color analysis.

I do math every now and then.

Occasionally.

TAPPER Back to the pitcher over the first in time, one, two, three inning Lady Bears go down in order still three one Taylor's we had five in the second.

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First Pitch swinging straight to Ashland Clark as the Taylor Tigers come to bat, leading three one in the bottom of the second.

Think this is a really big inning for Ainsley Moore the pitcher for Bradley it's just a junior but retired the final three to get out of that first inning.

Now you're facing the bottom three of the lineup and put yourself in the dugout really quickly.

Let your offense get out there and do some work.

Seven, eight, nine.

Do up for Taylor here in the bottom of the second inning, all batters hitting around 300 or better.

So there is power and good hitting up and down this Taylor lineup much like below the lineup for Brantley not a lot of seniors on this Taylor roster either when you look at the lineup just one senior in the starting lineup today and that's the coach's daughter Matt Henry Clark takes ball to low you're right Buford a sophomore in the circle sophomore in Clark at the plate now freshman in Nulty coming up next.

So these two teams really prepared to battle each other for years to come.

Taft fell to in two matched you know, only 18 miles separate these two schools.

How thankful are the rest of the state, especially when they have there are multiple high schools down there because they wouldn't be touchable if these two schools, two played together.

Come on, strike three on the outside corner.

That's three straight strikeouts for Ainsley Moore, who really seems to have settled down, found herself a rhythm, and now she's just roaring back and throwing and challenging this Taylor lineup.

Number two and more than 25 pitches in that first inning.

Nice on the outside corner there to freeze.

Clark has now come back in retired four in a row and gets a first pitch swinging strike from nodding one thing it also does and this is kind of the most hidden things in baseball and softball when you're around the plate and you're starting to kind of control a little bit, that's that's strike zone.

It kind of expands for you because the umpiring crew expects you to be right in the zone and they kind of give you the benefit of the doubt more times enough.

They swung on and miss for strike two.

And not just the umpires, but the batters inside the box as well.

And so they'll expand the zone, expect to need to throw strikes.

And and that's really where you have everybody in the park in the palm of your hand.

The O2 swung on in Miss strike three a little extra velocity on that.

Yeah some late movement to diving in on the hands and more is really feeling it four consecutive strikeouts and now another out away from getting a 1 to 3 inning late breaking rise ball moving up out of the zone on the outer part of the plate and starting to see why Moore has been able to put together such a successful season.

She's a high volume strikeout pitcher with a lot of swings and misses against her.

And you're really starting to see why, you know, Taylor is able to jump on her early, but she's settled in.

And I feel like this is the kind of pitcher we're going to see for the duration.

So how important was it for Taylor to get those three early?

Yeah, it's massive.

Any time you can jump out to an early lead, especially against a really good pitcher, you're going to take that.

I think that's probably the I haven't seen the season stats, obviously haven't seen every game you played but I bet that's very, very few times.

Has she given up three consecutive bases So hitting in the nine hole, one and one changeup floats up and out of the zone.

So it's a little bit of pop in the nine hole.

333 on the year a405 on base percentage two home runs as well able to turn that lineup over.

We're starting to see that a lot more you know, productive hitters near the bottom of the lineup to help turn it over swings through the rise ball and now two and two in the count.

Gone are the days Grant, you were playing in a state championship game, so you don't really have anybody on your roster that you're going to bury.

But are those days where you just very your worst hitter in that nine spot because you do want to have someone on base when you turn the lineup over the two to check swing foul.

To add on to the thought about the nine hole hitter, it's even evolving now away from the speedster that mimics the style of your leadoff hitter as well to put a little bit more power in that nine spot to two out to right field just over the head of lane that's going to drop for a two out single to a really good piece of hitting thereby so saw the kind of muscle that one in might have got jammed a little bit and able to to force it out there over the second baseman Lane's head and again turn that lineup over and give the top of the order.

Who did so much damage in the first a chance to push another one across snaps a streak of five batters in a row set down by Moore and rolls it up to the top of the lineup in Buford, who led off with a single and scored in the first takes A first pitch strike at school is off and running.

She is in there with the stolen base kind of a delayed steal there by Sewell try to catch Bradley napping Just a touch maybe a double pump throw out to second base allowed her just enough time to slide in and get in the scoring position.

Strong throw from counter and just under the tag it saw head first dive and sets Buford up with an RBI opportunity out to left field to get on the rope.

That one's going to get to the fence.

So will score Buford chugging for third and she is in there with an RBI triple in the top of the lineup.

Just doing work for Taylor.

It seemed like more had really settled down, struck out four in a row, but a little flare, a stolen base, and all of a sudden an RBI triple in Taylor's top.

The lineup continuing to do damage off the outer part of the plate.

Absolutely.

Rocket in the left field.

Is it more Taylor's hitting or is it more is pitching?

I mean, Taylor's putting the bat on the ball, which is key.

But I do think more is catching too much in the plate and leaving good pitches out there to hit.

I'll check and see whether or not Lindsay went, she says.

The third base umpire, rather, says no.

So what?

Oh, to Madison Lindsey, who doubled and scored back in the first, comes back with a strike across the plate.

Another look at the swing Bobby what do you think?

So say she checked it up, reacted and Rick I would agree What?

Yeah.

Not that our opinion really means anything.

It's called teamwork here in the middle.

The one one fouled back into the screen and a big opportunity for Ainsley more to try and get herself out of the bottom of the second here is Taylor threatening to really pad their lead already up four one with a runner on third.

But here more importantly than anything else for Brantley, make them put it in play.

You've already given them two runs because of a wild pitch.

You not give up a third here just in the second inning, one to check foul.

Taylor looks really comfortable inside the box tonight and that's an advantage of facing someone for a fifth time in Buford with 135 innings pitched.

She's done the heavy lifting for this team all season long, likely pitched every inning.

The first four contest, one, two.

That's back up the middle.

That's going to get down.

Buford will score in three, two out hits in a row.

Same recipe for Taylor.

They continue to produce the plate.

It's now a51 Tigers.

Q Talking at the top of the lineup, doing exactly why they are in the top lineup and what they're supposed to do, One three in this contest, five for five now with three RBI that's getting the job done.

It's top of the order.

When you're putting your lineup together, you want your players that produce to come up most.

And this is why, to your point, those three are their consistent production.

At the top of the Taylor lineup, that one swung on and missed on a drop ball is Reese Fowler, who tripled and scored on a wild pitch five runs in for Taylor already in the bottom of the second six hits called Strike on the outside part of the Plate.

Lindsay in the second with a stolen base and just putting yourself in the scoring position, take advantage of that throw being off the mark just a little bit and now the catcher with the stolen base and puts herself in scoring position so anything to the outfield likely going to give themselves another run Huge jump from Lindsay she was well safe with Taylor continuing to be aggressive on the basepaths to flared out to shallow center field but on is when she makes the catch Taylor gets two more to extend their lead five one we head to the third.

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In the top of the third leading five one over the Bradley Lady Bears elite ala Buford is back out to start the third inning and it's been pretty easy cruising for Buford minus the solo home run by Keltner in the first Yeah she and she's settled in a home run double and back to back at bats.

But unlike what Bradley was able to do on the circle, she was able to settle in go one, two, three in that second inning, and now she's pitching in the four run lead, you really start to see her settle down and really panel that strike zone and make Bradley put back to back hits and really try to put something together.

Assuming, of course, as KILNER comes up, you change the game plan because obviously you change everything for the best player.

Just make everybody else on their roster each 191 to do up for Bradley declared out of play from Allie Lane.

I think we're going to see a lot of that.

Dorie I think we're a lot of first pitch swinging because then the game plan has to be this town, the pound, the strike zone, get ahead, make your defense work for you.

With a four run lead, you have a little bit more cushion to be able to go after hitters.

101 changeup dropped in there for strike two.

That's tough.

Come on.

If you're not sitting change up, that's got to be one of the most difficult things to do when you're when you're thinking, okay, this one's coming 55, this one's coming 61.

And they drop that, what, 40, 45 mile an hour on you.

It's got to be really to slow the bat.

Dad.

The oh two line back up the middle that's going to get through for a base hit in that time.

Maybe that's the case of going back to it too quickly.

You know, maybe don't go changeup change if you go fastball there maybe she's way behind it almost seemed like she was sitting change up and able to just kind of flip that one out in the center field the old philosophy if you don't throw offspeed to the bottom of the lineup here, that turns the lineup over for Emily Lyons, who struck out to lead off the first, you go back to your conversation about pounding the strike zone right now.

Buford, 75% of her pitches have been four strikes, but put in play towards the right side over the first just in time to retire.

LYONS As Lane moves to first on the sacrifice to kind of look at those numbers.

I mean you can kind of look at that a couple different ways.

Her command's been really good, but Bradley has been really aggressive, too.

They're up there swinging in the first pitch, trying to put the ball in play.

On the strikeout numbers.

She's got three strikeouts, but Bradley's put it in play in their defense to be able to work behind her.

Listen, I just wanted to prove I could do math to, hey, I'm with you.

Runner in scoring position for the Bradley Lady Bears first runner in scoring position since calendar Touch Jamaal on the first first pitch swinging is Matty McDonald who also struck out back in the first inning.

As we talk about aggressive philosophies, can you swing yourself out of innings though, being so aggressive at the plate?

Yeah, you really can, because especially if you have a pitcher who's trying to take advantage of that aggressiveness and making you chase pitches consistently out of the zone line down to right field and it's going to get out of play.

A good looking swing though for McDonald, it's always that happy medium you're looking for as a team to be aggressive but be controlled.

It's we always like to call it controlled chaos, maybe, if you will, just enough out of control that you're you're wild and dangerous, but not, you know, completely ineffective.

Buford head in the count OTU swung on and missed as McDonald retired via the strikeout for the second time today.

Yeah.

Struck out twice all season long and struck out twice here today.

In that time, a great job by Buford to really make her chase out of the zone.

That one was well off the plate.

We have to more check the two strikes and got her to chase.

And remember, there were no Jackie, the Jackie Kellner stepping in to the plate.

First pitch changeup, able to hold.

That's just almost not fair.

She had to know it was coming, though, right?

Yeah.

I mean, honestly, I wouldn't give her any any fastball.

I'd go change it four times and all four well out of the zone, especially with first base open, there is really no point in letting killing or something to hit get something up in the zone off the end of the handle.

Just over the first in time as Kellner is retired.

Tells you what I know right?

Buford works around a lead on a single.

It's still five one.

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The lyric four or five six do up for Taylor in the bottom of the third inning.

Lady Tigers looking to add to their five one lead.

First pitch swinging is Matthew McHenry and he came to grounded out to second in her last at bat.

Let's see if this is where more can settle back in the top half of the order in the top third of the order, if have really been her Achilles heel.

This is where she needs to settle in four runs.

It's not impossible to come back for him.

Obviously, Moore is not either, but you don't want to watch that.

Lead expands evermore for.

Taylor because this is 2 minutes too good to dig yourself that big of the hole.

And McHenry watches that ball on the inner part of the plate and quickly behind in the count oh to nine down to right field that gets down.

It's going to get all the way to the fence.

McHenry turning for second base.

She wants three.

She's going for third.

Here comes the throw.

Not in time.

The throw gets away.

Then McHenry will stay at third with a leadoff triple really nice piece of hitting there and take that on the opposite way.

And you know, little late getting to the softball at the fence that allowed the extra 60 feet to be picked up for McHenry.

And just like that like we've seen in the first second now the third inning Taylor coming the plates with runners in scoring position Taylor has had their lead off runner on in both the first in the third inning did all their damage with two outs in the bottom of the second, now threatening to make it a61 lead as a snap throw back down to third from counter keeps McHenry honest McKayla down standing in she was the first strikeout victim of the night, the first of four that Moore retired via the strikeout that ball squirts away.

Here comes McHenry.

She's going to be in Taylor continuing to force the issue on the base past the leadoff triple set that up but just trying to be too fine with four pitches and that one gets away in the third time.

In the first three innings of this contest, Taylor able to pick up a cheap run as the pitcher and catcher not on the same page skipped off the foot of counter McHenry in easily as that ball got far enough away that there was no throw to the plate.

One two is the count to Mikayla Downs inside the box.

How does it change your philosophy as a pitcher going from a runner on third to having no one on and now working just against the hitter?

But it probably relaxes you a little bit because you don't have to worry about your base in allowing a run to score.

But maybe that's putting too much pressure on yourself because she's trying to be too fine.

Talk about Ainsley more, trying to find the strike zone, and that's when you kind of overextend you over pitch.

And now we've seen three run scored because of the wild pitch.

Maybe, maybe not take such a drastic differently approach when you've got runners on base and for scoring position one two skips in the turf make it two and two because you can really psych yourself out of throwing a strike.

And that one, you miss the zone by that margin.

Your catcher can't get in front or doesn't have enough time to get out of her stance and to elevate and go get the ball way high and out of the zone and put yourself in a really bad spot.

Challenge back up the middle more knocks it down over to first in time retires downs for the first out of the inning because as a coach and I think every softball coach will tell you like you can live if a team is beating you by putting the ball in play and it's hitting the ball in the outfield, finding the gaps.

But when you're giving up runs and walks and hit batters and wild pitches and things like that, that's when you really probably pull your hair out and it keeps you up at night because you don't feel like that you made them earn it against you.

First Pitch Swinging from Madison McClellan.

Bobby, I've got to ask you, I know you played baseball.

You've been around sports a long time.

Would you rather lose a close game or would you lose it rather lose in a blowout?

I would say a close game because you've got a chance.

I mean, you're going to sit there and pick every pitch and every bat, but just give yourself a chance.

It's really as an athlete and a competitor, all you want to do, close, play it third, and McClellan is safe, able to lay out the infield single on a slow chopper over to McDonald.

And Bobby, you and I are very different.

I would rather lose in a blowout because then I know there was nothing I could do.

Yeah, but I never I never want that feeling of thinking someone is so much better than I am.

There was nothing I could have done.

You know, it's a fair point.

Oh, it's one of my favorite questions to ask because you get so many different answers now, one on one away for Taylor here in the bottom of the third inning after McClellan with the infield single first pitch, swinging Ashling Clark up and out of the zone because it's a really big blow to your ego to sit there and think, you know what, they were better than I was.

And as a competitor and a former college athlete, I don't ever want to think that or say that maybe I just didn't lose enough big game.

But way more ahead in the count oh two, Clark struck out, looking to lead off the second the oh to put in play softly over to the right side go for the lead runner at second she is out not in time to turn the double but a nice decision there from lane to cut down the leadoff runner at second Nice job to get the lead runner she said the good and turn the double play quick enough.

That's a big second out And now you're just a strikeout away or one pitch away from getting out of this frame and hopefully get your offense going.

In the fourth, you don't see a ton of traditional double plays turned in the sport of softball due to the distance in the bases, only 60 feet versus 90.

It really has to be a really, really hard hit ground ball that's leading the defender to the back little bit more times in that you won your traditional double play at your line down the right ways and things like that.

But as far as turning with a relay throw, it's it's almost impossible, although we are starting to see them creep into the college game a little bit more.

I think that goes back to the power of the batters inside the box.

The one one cut on it missed Taylor off and running again, the third stolen base of the game so far for the lady tigers.

Yeah gone are the days of you know draw walk but then the second bottom the third and hope for a base hit with two outs.

Bradley had a bit of an argument there as it looked like Clark's hand came off the back for just a second.

But they do say she is safe and Taylor, runner on second, two outs, 1 to 2.

Anderson Nulty takes Cobb's strike three on the outside corner so more able to work her way out of the jam but Taylor gets one more.

It's six one Tigers as we go to the fourth.

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Bradley finding themselves trailing Taylor 6 to 1.

Bobby what do the lady Bears need to do to start clawing away at this five point lead?

Right now it's just baserunners.

There's no such thing as.

The five run home run, Even though we're talking about all the power in today's game, you have to chip away realistically, more time tonight.

You're not going to go put up a five spot, so get some runners on base.

Try to work the pitch count.

Because honestly, Ali, before this has kind of settled into a nice little rhythm here.

And Brantley hasn't had much of a fight in the last couple innings.

More leading things off with the sharp single out to left field.

That's certainly help as more are turning for second.

That ball got all the way to the fence.

You know, Clark couldn't get all the way over in front of that one and gets all the way to the fence.

And that's a great start there.

If you're Bradley, you want to get back into this contest and more with the rope down.

The left field line has got themselves a runner in scoring position and a chance to chip into this lead third extra base hit for Taylor.

So of their four hits, three have gone for extra bases.

That's a good sign as they try to get back into this game.

And Robbie, to your point, making Buford work, she thrown just that was her 40th pitch of the game and we're in the fourth inning first pitch strike on the inside corner to Chelsea Whitford It's none who comes in as the courtesy runner for the pitcher.

This is the first of the twins to step up Kelsey Whitfield Of course, Kelsey coming up next.

And this is an opportunity they can't squander.

Bradley has to take advantage of this leadoff double the oh one foul back to the screen for Bradley's put the ball in play four hits to the first four innings more times a nine.

That's going to be a good recipe this haven't been able to take advantage of two of them on base obviously Taylor's brought their bats to play the oh two stage low.

None is the courtesy runner currently playing in the field at third base, so she is able to be subbed in and out for Ainsley More one of those lovely softball rules.

The one two at the line back of the middle.

More going to be waved around.

She will score as Chelsea Whitford comes through with a big RBI single.

That's a big big hit there for the freshman first baseman and courtesy runner comes around to score and that's how rallies are started.

He lead something off the double sharp grounder back up the middle and just like that, Bradley has got a little rally brewing here in the fourth.

Yeah.

Thank you for that correction That was none the courtesy runner that came around to score Whitford with the single nobody out in the inning Bradley trying to chip away at this Taylor lead.

So now twin sister Kelsey stepping into the box snap throw back down to first Chelsea back in time back to back hits given up by Buford for the second time in this game.

The last time was back in the first inning.

It was a home run and, a double before Whitford popped out.

So now a double and a single to lead off the first flare down the right field line.

Give Chase there by McHenry.

So run out of room.

Kelsey had 310 on the season two doubles, two triples and a home run.

She's got some power and again just the freshman part of this lineup for Bradley you heard really starting to mix in that offspeed more a changeup fouled back now Buford ahead in the count one and two trying to find the first out of this inning is Taylor looking for their sixth consecutive state championship the Tigers be the first program to do that since Foreman on the right side over the second going for the leadoff runner they do get Whitford in time so a fielder's choice for sister Kelsey but Taylor able to retire Chelsea at second base.

Nice job to get the lead runner as you mentioned.

That's also a key.

First down to kind of slow the bleeding here a little bit, if you will, for Taylor, Obviously, still a four run lead.

Bit of a dangerous play for McClellan, though.

That ball was not hit very hard.

So really had to deliver a good throw over second base.

Ball misses inside to eight and Alexander Alexander struck out back in the second inning 282 coming into tonight's game the one zero fouled back even the count at one and one Bobby we talked about momentum and clearly Taylor still in control of this game at six two but how does it affect Bradley's momentum to be able to scratch out another run.

It'd be big.

I mean because we're about halfway home here because that wild pitch is going to allow Winfield to get up to second base.

It's just you know how it is.

Doreen, in sports, you know, just one run doesn't seem like a lot, but four seems like a huge number in threes, one swing at the back and then they kind of Do you have that mindset?

Okay, we can start to chip away.

We saw one in the fifth, one in the sixth, and all of a sudden we come up in the seventh inning.

We've got a chance to win this thing.

Wild Pitches certainly helped Bradley's cause here as Whitford now moves into scoring position, the two one misses Low.

It is the second pitch in that same part of the strike zone that Buford has not gotten the call here in this bat.

And now it's three 1 to 8.

And Alexander three one taken for a called strike.

It looks like she was taken all the way there.

And that's about as good as pitches.

You're going to get hit to get to hit in this situation.

Now it's a full count.

Try to set dead red the middle third and see if you can turn on one one out, three, two.

Pitch swung on and missed the changeup again for Buford.

That is a dirty, dirty changeup.

Yeah.

Talk about having confidence in the change up in most high school pitchers are not going to have confidence to throw a three to change it but that time likely would have been called third strike doesn't if she doesn't swing the bat pretty close to it either way it's got her way out in front and Alexander set down swinging Big second out by Ella Buford.

Another wild pitch, though, with four going for third and she is safe, just feeds the throw.

So a pair of wild pitches have allowed Kelsey Whitford to advance to third after grounding into the fielder's choice.

Is Bradley trying to this Taylor lead here in the bottom of the fourth Yeah became Bradley come up with that big two out hit to take advantage of it you and I know how much coaches love to talk about two out hitting one oh to tear Williams stays low two or no and if you're going to be aggressive at the plate at two oh is a great count to look for something good to hit Yeah because you know they're not wanting to lock you in.

Of course this is eight nine in the lineup, but they don't want to put any more extra bodies on the base.

Paso swing away ball kicks away Whitford stays put at third good decision is Lindsay was quickly out to smother the three oh to Tara Williams the center fielder likely take it all the way and make her throw a couple of strikes.

You would have to think so here in this situation, throw in a four run game where Bradley desperately in need of baserunners and it is ball four on the inside corner and this one well off the inside corner and so Williams gets the free pass first walk of the day issued by Ella Buford.

That brings up Allie Lane who singled back in the third trying to really work that what would be an inside pitch to the left is first pitch swinging back of the middle and snag great defensive play by McClellan to end the inning.

Bradley gets one Taylor still up by four.

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The Taylor Tigers have played in six runs through the first four innings.

First pitch swinging off the bat of Willie Sewell.

Nine one, two two Up for the Tigers here in the bottom of the fourth inning as Taylor looks to not just take the season series against their rival Brad Bradley, but also capture their sixth consecutive state title.

The approach hasn't changed.

I was just the fourth inning with.

Taylor is going to attack the first pitch.

They know that Moore is consistently around the strike zone and so there they are coming off hacking.

So we'll show that off of the single last time she came around to score and then ever dangerous time in the lineup A looming coming at you.

Still a flinch after all these sort of about you and probably for like if I had a ball coming at me that arm swung on and missed four strike three six strikeout of the night for Moore and we were having a conversation during the break that Moore looks like a different pitcher when there's no one on base.

There's obviously added pressure when there's a runner on base, but when there is the pass or clear, she is smooth, she is controlled and she has got some velocity.

Really nice late breaking movement on that rise by two strikeouts.

But that does turn over the lineup for Ayla Buford, who is two for two, a single a222 runs scored here in this championship game.

And you're one right back up the middle.

That's off the shin.

More over the first in time.

I have to check her to make sure she is okay because that ball came off hard.

You could hear that one.

Really nice job to bounce back not only from the shock of getting hit in the shin with the softball, but the bounce back and make a really nice throw to first to get Buford in time there, get the second out of inning The appears to be okay.

Two of those looks fine right now and it two is it's really really going to hurt you probably swell up pretty nicely.

Hot shot off the bat of Ella Buford, able to really be retired.

So two away here for Taylor in the bottom of the fourth.

First pitch straight to Madison.

Lindsey, who has also been on twice today, doubled and scored in the first single and was stranded in the second high and out.

Ainsley more settling in nicely has given up the eight hits has struck out six though so it's either been hit or strikeout pretty much not one sent out down the left field line is going to get fouled.

It has been feast or famine both for her but also the Taylor offset right there either finding the gap or they're getting sent down on strikes.

It really has been no in between.

Moore has yet to record a one, two three inning hitting the count one two to Lindsay here Collins strike three on the outside corner and Taylor goes down in order for the first time tonight as Bradley trying to battle back here in this one state championship game Lady Bears trail by four.

We go to the fifth.

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So there's going to be the Taylor Tigers on their quest for a sixth consecutive one AA state championship.

Jackie Kellner trying to spoil the party leadoff home run or a home run in the first inning to put Bradley on the board first.

But after a leadoff single and a double, Taylor gets on the board via a wild pitch.

They would get three in the inning.

In the second it's Buford at the dish again RBI triple.

She would come around to score on a single off the bat of Madison Lindsey.

It was five one after two for Taylor In the third more tigers out one skips away as Maggie McHenry comes in to score on the wild pitch.

But the lady bears battling back in the fourth.

The RBI single Off the bat of Chelsea Whitford Plate.

Ainsley Moore.

It is six two here in the top of the fifth inning.

Bradley getting short on downs, trying to cut into this Taylor lead.

Oh no.

Tapped foul.

Lions McDonald and Keltner do out for Bradley in the top of the fifth inning.

I think this is big so Bradley to take some push one or two across here you've got the top of the order 1 to 3 coming up.

You're starting to run out of outs.

You only have nine outs left in your season.

I think you need to start to chip away at this.

Taylor advantage right here.

Strikes you caught on the outside part of the plate And Bobby you mentioned in between innings this game is a couple of inches away from being a lot more interesting because McClellan's snow cone catch to end the fourth that was only about two inches away from being right up the middle.

That's the name of the game, sometimes six inches one way or the other.

There's a difference between an RBI single and all of a sudden you get yourself a huge rally and or a momentum swinging catch that ends the frame like we got there for Taylor third time through the lineup for Bradley.

That one put in play hard right at the shortstop over the first in time as nobody makes the throw to retire lions.

I know if you're Bradley you'd like to see some baserunners on so calendar coming up and two batters that time in action hit ground ball that right at the shortstop and an easy throw there for Nolting the freshman makes a good play retires the first batter of the inning Bobby third time through the lineup for Bradley what adjustments did the lady Bears need to make going up against Buford I think they just need to continue to be aggressive.

Maybe Buford throwing strikes.

Obviously that changeup has given them some problems, but sit fastball attack early in the count and just but also try not to do too much just put the ball in play.

Try to find a gap in that infield and it's most basic mistakes.

Try not to do too much.

It's so much easier to save than it is to do over to the right side, right to second base, over to first a pair of ground outs and they're quickly two away in the inning.

Yeah, you can't argue with putting the ball in play with That was really good placement there by Buford misses the barrel not great contact and a slow roller up the second and this is the only time you want a face counter where there's nobody on base and two outs.

Keltner homered in the first grounded out to end the third and will come to bat here with nobody in two away.

First pitch swinging sent out to center field.

It's tailing it's going to get down downs is there for the backup so Keltner in with a two out single a great effort out in center field for Fowler.

Yeah he'll take that all day first big swing in there Nice job by Keltner to put the last one to the is found just a little bit of real estate to get the base hit.

But again if you're Taylor you'll take that best player obviously on the opposing team That's a batting average of almost 600 but up with two outs and nobody on base.

That doesn't hurt you.

It goes back to the fraction of an inch because Fowler just about two inches away from coming up with that catch.

And now more.

Stepping in takes the first pitch change up on the outside corner.

Chance for more to help her own cause she double in scored in the fourth inning.

17 doubles now on the season for Ainsley more two more is doubled in both of her at bats doubled in the first doubled in the fourth.

She would love to have another double here not one on the turf is going to stay put quickly retreats.

This is the portion of the Bradley lineup that has had some success.

Kellner, Moore, Whitford good alley lane in the bottom of the line of what the single as well.

So even with two outs, Bradley still has the opportunity to chip away one changeup schooled more she was way out in front.

Yeah, she was kind of even laughing about that one herself.

She was so far out in front and that changeup had just been deadly for you first.

And and Taylor, I mean, you can still see more still laughing about it because you see it coming.

You know it's coming and you still just can't stop yourself from swinging at it when it's in the strike zone.

It is devastating.

Now, the one two outside corner left alone, snap, throw, they get count her off the base.

She's gotten a run down.

She will be out as nosey, able to apply the tag to three six to end the inning.

Taylor down without a run or Bradley rather down without a run.

Taylor still up by four.

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While you're there central Arkansas are going to get postseason play started tomorrow going up against middle Tennessee state and Taylor coming to plate in the bottom of the fifth inning trying to extend their six two lead first pitch swinging hammered out to center field.

It's going to fall as Reese Fowler reaches for the second time today.

It's a really good defensive alignment there from Bradley Terrell Weems was shading over that direction, was in position to make the play.

But that one is ticked off her glove and make the plane.

So the leadoff batter on the bases again for Taylor Fowler reaches on the error.

So three out of five innings.

Taylor has gotten their lead off runner on two of the previous times they have scored.

Maggie McHenry one for two takes a first pitch ball.

Why is that leadoff runner so important?

I mean, just gives you more opportunities to move them around first.

And also it gives you confidence and it immediately puts pressure on a defense and pressure on the pitcher to be a little more fine.

You know, they don't have as much room for error and sometimes they press a little too much.

And that's when a beginning can happen.

Cut on and missed one and one.

Bobby, I know you and I are a little bit more old school.

Do you like the move to go more power in a sacrifice situation or are you old school?

I like to swing the bat I like to go out there and and make and earn it yourself.

And I understand the of course it all depends on who's up in the lineup.

It's the kind of team you have and what your makeup is.

But if you're asking me and everything's equal, go out there and swing the bat and hurt yourself with around the bases.

You and I would have been terrible teammates one and two two.

Maggie McKendry Good hold as a ball up in the zone, even to count it two and two.

Well, then again here, a former college softball player.

I'm a former college offensive lineman, so there's a big difference there.

Now, Lord knows I was not getting on a football field and two two fouled away just into the stands here at Ferris Field.

Good crowd here tonight.

Stands are full.

The berm filling in pretty nicely.

You got to love seeing all the fans out in support for sure.

This is to me, the best weekend this weekend and the weekend that we hit the four basketball championships.

And you've got the 12 games in three days.

I mean, it's no better because you see the communities support their local athletes because more times than not, the high school's the most important thing in their town.

And that's the way it should be.

You know, as a kid who grew up in a small town, graduated was 85.

I mean, the biggest thing to do on Tuesday and Friday night was go out and watch the football team for the baseball team with the basketball team.

And that's what you do in small town America.

That's why I've always that's why I probably gravitated to the high school sports more than anything else.

Three to go down to third over to second, not in time as both runners will reach.

So Taylor, with the first two runners on my high school was ten times the size of your high school.

I'm surprised you don't say football just doesn't have enough in the weekend and it's too spread out for you.

Boy is over two weekends.

Yeah, it's plus and everything.

So spread out.

You know, you play at war Memorial Stadium.

You don't have that that quaint feel, if you will, of a packed out arena.

There's 25 30,000 people at the championship game.

But it still doesn't this feel full because the place is so large First pitch sweet Mikayla downs down struck out in the first grounded out to the pitcher back in the third and there's just something about you know the horn sounds in basketball or the final out in baseball and all of a sudden two new teams are coming out they're just that just one right after the other and not taking a three hour break like it does in football.

The infield skipper is going to get down as both Moore and McDonald converge.

Neither could come up.

And so now Taylor, with the bases loaded and this feels like a dangerous moment for Bradley.

Yeah, it's a line drive in the box score, but that's a little number that Moore couldn't get over to make a play, too.

And by the time she was able to corral it, the runners had already advanced and now the bases loaded for McClelland and nobody out.

Now, to be fair, those squib are sometimes the most difficult balls on the infield, the handle, because they've got the weird spin, they fall in weird places, first pitch up and in McClelland just able to get out of the way to finish what we're talking about, the excitement really ramps up tomorrow.

So we've got baseball, softball and a little soccer.

Take cut on and miss that ball at the bottom of the zone, one and one the count.

How many champions that's handed out to everybody.

Are we, Oprah?

20 of them this weekend are getting handed out.

Got to earn them, though.

Taylor trying to be one of those 20 upstairs two and one that count.

McClellan struck out looking to end the first grounded out or rather singled and was forced back in the third.

So one for two today, trying to come up with her first RBI of the state.

Final bases loaded, bottom five, no one out, cut on and miss two really nice drop balls.

Four more.

That's a really good pitch there behind in the count, but you still have the confidence to throw it.

And she obliges and chases and evens up to count at two and two.

This is the best more has looked with runners on tonight the two two found a away way to hang in there from McClellan.

It's two really good bat or at bat excuse me from Madison she struck out has a single base hit here really could blow this one open maybe close the door on Bradley Bradley pulling the infield in two two right back up the middle more comes home down to first.

Not in time as McClellan is safe but Bradley able to get the leadoff runner at home.

Yeah, really nice job by more to come home for the easy out the four south lead runner in this reset and do it all over one out this time one away for Taylor on the ground out back two more in off the handle but that brings up Ashland Clark base is still loaded for Taylor the exchange from gloved hand is not clean enough there for Keltner to give them a real decent chance of turning to bunt in play.

Moore can't come up with as Taylor able to squeeze one home.

I like the idea of the squeeze play there, put some pressure on the defense and as you mentioned, Moore not able to get down enough and it looks like she might have been trying to pick that up with the glove hand and make the tag herself, but didn't make the play.

And Taylor scratches another one across.

I've seen a couple of nice squeezes so far in this tournament.

The purpose of the squeeze to cause a little chaos.

And you see Courtney McHenry in her second season.

She is amped down at third base is her team is now up five in the bottom of the fifth and trying to extend their lead ball in play down the right side.

It gets through the three four hole.

One run is in two runs.

Come in.

That's how important a well-placed bunt can be in this game.

Bases loaded a perfectly paced squeeze play, if you will, for that time as the defense is rotating, you've got a hole right between the pitcher and first base.

That one gets by and all of a sudden two runs come around to score.

And Taylor is inching ever closer to another change state title note.

She pushes it through the right side.

Whitfield Can't make the play or Whitford, rather, cannot make the play.

And there is nobody stopping that ball as it gets all the way out into shallow right field.

Two runs come in.

And now Taylor on the verge of their six consecutive state championship up nine two here in the bottom of the fifth.

That's just wild to think about it.

I mean just the success of six senior classes in a row inning is a potentially right this one's not over potentially ending your season with a victory that's almost unheard of and no foreman has done it since the trick but it's that's absolutely wild to think about.

FOREMAN And now Taylor today almost a better part of a decade, obviously, six years of dominance, a bona fide dynasty for the Taylor Tigers, trying to cement their spot bunt offered the runner does advance to second as Nulty stands on second Clark is third.

Taylor up by seven.

Should Taylor score here, the run rule would be in effect.

Riley trying to stave that off fouled back is so behind in the count Oh to the oh two Good job by Kelner to glove that pitch so batting 333 coming into this game singled and scored in the second struck out in the fourth with a chance to end the state championship here the one to put in foul play I saw is battling inside the box.

Nice job by storms just to stay alive.

This battle.

It's a really good pitch inside on the hands and able to just pull those hands inside to the body just enough to to stay alive for another pitch.

Two on one away the one to Swann and missed more goes upstairs seventh strikeout of the day.

I like that she changed the eye level there and really climbed the ladder gets the will to go down swinging and when she's not out of out of the woods just yet, top of the order has been so dangerous.

And that pitcher Buford got a chance to finish things off her way.

First pitch, swinging from Buford right back up the middle.

More glove.

It gets the out as Bradley lives the fight inning, Taylor gets three more tigers up by seven.

We go to the sixth.

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For more information, visit Conway Chamber Talk Top of the sixth inning Bradley trailing hits Taylor 9 to 2.

Labor's down to their final six outs in the season with work to do at the plate.

Ainsley Moore will lead things off after Jackie Kilner was picked off to end the fifth inning.

Moore two for two, a pair of doubles for Bradley.

The person that you want up at the plate, no doubt about it.

But he kind of disappointed that you ran yourself out of with her at the plate with someone on base in the last frame.

But you bring her up here, maybe she can start things off, put herself in scoring position for a third time today and again, start to chisel yourself away.

There's no such thing as a seven run homer as much as you wish there was.

Yes.

Start to chip away.

Chip away and take advantage of all six outs that you have remaining.

Ainsley Moore, Chelsea Whitford and Kelsey Whitford do up four or five, six, eight and Alexander waiting should anybody reach Moore stepping out that once skied to center field but it will be playable as Fowler is under it for out number one so that one up around her eyes and this could lay off of it the tomahawk then skied it out to center field.

The big first out there for Taylor reminds me of a league of Their own.

I like the high ones.

They're tough to lay off of those ones high level, they're hard to say no to.

They're easy to elevate.

But near impossible to stay on top of.

I teach you that from five years old, but sometimes you just can't say no.

It's been an efficient night for Ayla Buford.

The first pitch swinging to Chelsea Whitford, 65 pitches, fifth, 46 of them have been four strikes scattered, six hits, two runs walked, one struck out, five has given up, three extra bases, three extra base hits, rather, the two doubles, two more of the home run to counter back in the first as Whitfield lays off the ball up in the zone, she's just stayed aggressive, attacking the zone early and counts but also Bradley estate aggressive at swinging it early in the count.

And so that's obviously why the pitch counts not very high and it's led to some pretty quick innings.

Another change of late call on the strike account now one in two to the freshman Whitfield, one for two with a double or the RBI and that one chopped going to be right back to Buford over the first in time two away for the lady Bears.

The number one change in the strategy.

Now if you're Buford is pound the strike zone, continue to make Bradley try to put it in play.

And she's just done a really nice job of missing barrels.

And that's the name of the game you can put, make, make your opponent it in play and just nip on the corners.

Miss in the sick part of the bat, just enough to give your defense a chance.

And she's done that exceptionally well today.

To your point, eighth ground out of the game for Ayla Buford.

That one tapped back by Kelsey Whitfield.

I mean, you mentioned the three extra base hits.

That may be the only three hard hit balls in this contest for Bradley's offense.

Most of the ground balls, if I'm not going to say lazy, but, you know, choppers, you know, none of those a ton of velocity on it and miss it.

Yeah.

Right near one changeup swung on and missed not changeup has really made the difference in what it's been able to do offense and then be able instead of sit back and sit fastball and you know kind of keying on a location now you've got to worry about velocity and high level when a pitcher has those two pitches specifically I can see it right working.

It makes it really tough hammered out to left field.

That one is going to get down.

It's off the top of the fence.

It's going to catch him down towards the left field line Whitfield's going to hold up at second with a two out double that was hit high off the fence there.

Kelsey Winfield able to to stay back and turn on it and pulls that one and now Bradley runner in scoring position.

But with two outs.

I would add that to the list of hard hit balls.

That was an absolute rocket that's out of most parks in the field.

The fence here at Ferris Field, a lot taller than most places.

That's probably home run.

It was the majority of high school parks in this state.

And this elevated fence there keeps it in the yard.

Had to build it high for the college kids, losing too many balls out to the force, to forest first, pitch low to eight.

And Alexander Alexander has struck out swinging twice today.

Once in the second, once in the fourth, fourth extra base hit of the night for Bradley and the build that put the trees in and build the high fence to protect this fence.

The satellite from Arkansas, PBS out there in the woods catches the outside corner to even the count at one and one fifth time.

Taylor and Bradley have played this year.

The series split at two two another ball elevated in the zone that slapped fell.

Yes.

For those who didn't watch this entire game or they may, you know, get online tomorrow morning and find out who won the contest.

And this is the score holds, of course, they said, whoa, Well, that wasn't very close, but they were clearly the better team.

That's not necessarily the case right now.

This One certainly has gotten out of hand, but these two teams were even all season long, 11 to 11.

And the run differential and the four games leading up to this one foul display contact, the snow, the ribs and the bare hand.

She caught that four strike three.

Nice play behind the plate by Lindsay to get the strike out of eight and Alexander as L.A. Buford works around a two out double.

Taylor still up nine two.

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

Let's go for a copy of any of the state championship games.

Go to Eminem Productions, dot net to place your order two, three, four coming out for the Taylor Tigers in the bottom of the sixth inning leading by seven.

It will be Madison Lindsay Reece Fowler in Maggie McHenry McKayla Downes waiting Should anybody reach Lindsay two for three.

She's down on the count oh one so early on that one.

But that was a hammer down the right to go off speed here.

I would have for that.

You got it.

You got to change that to the bat speed and the high level on guess comes back with a strike on the outside corner.

That's a big pitch.

Nothing you can do with that that's just perfectly placed on the outside.

Black.

That's a confidence pit.

It is a very confident pitch.

She more has looked very good at times inside the circle tonight.

Oh, to take and low.

The big difference really is she has this learn to live on that outer third think she's just missed too much over the heart of the plate today and that's what led to these some of these these big innings and hard balls for Taylor really good pitcher You know you can see the talent's there and that's why she's going to the next level at one rip down to right field that gets down now gets back to the fence.

Lindsay turning for two she wants three in the third base standing up is Madison Lindsay That ball got past Alexander in the outfield, got all the way to the fence and Lindsay Oh, gas, no brakes all the way to third.

Yeah that's just tough was hard hit right at the outfielder there for Bradley Alexander and there's really nothing you can do except for throw your body in front of it and that one skirts by her and now the winning run I guess the game ending run, if you will, 60 feet away.

Standing in is Reese Fowler takes the strike on the outside corner.

So it does go down as a single with a two base error and there's turf outfield here at Ferris Field as well So the infield plays a little bit different.

The outfield, the hops aren't going to be like traditional glorious.

It's a little bit of an adjustment.

They all one lifted foul instead of taking that big hop towards now a little more of it's more of a scoot and stays low right obviously these teams don't play on turf a ton, especially at the smaller school level.

It's really hard to adjust to that.

The turf across the sport is becoming more popular.

You're seeing more and more teams go to it.

Benton obviously has an alter field.

You go to that one kicks away, Lindsay stays put.

Good idea.

You never want to run yourself into an outcome, especially with no one out.

Taylor has been so aggressive on the bases tonight, it's almost a surprise to see them stay put.

But important to know the situation 1 to 2.

Fowler lined out in the left center field.

That's going to do it as Lindsay comes in to score on the game, ending double of the bat of Reese Fowler.

Well they been up I was told we were doing run room.

We will get back to you as it does look like we will.

So my correction it is a ten run rule at the collegiate level.

It is win by eight.

So is ten runs you know Taylor up ten to now in the bottom of the sixth there you go so after five complete two a team has to be ahead by ten or more the bottom of the sixth inning Taylor up 10 to 2 low in in misses two Maggie McHenry right gets through the five six hole Fowler will stop at third and McHenry en with another single set herself a really good day at the plate You can say that a lot about this Taylor lineup 1341 through five have done the majority of the damage, but Taylor just continues to hit.

It doesn't seem to matter where they throw it, where they hit it, it's finding a hole.

14 hits now for Taylor.

Lady Tigers continue to pound away at the plate.

First, three runners in the inning have reached out to center field but playable Weems is there sacrifice fly as Fowler tags and make it now 11 two in favor of the lady tigers Nice job just to do the job for downs there you've got a runner at third just slip that one into the outfield puts her home and then she ever closer to that state championship.

I like that same say it again.

I liked it when I heard it.

Do you?

Do you?

Yeah.

I'm giving you credit here.

Don't even know what you said.

Okay.

Very often running kicks away as McHenry is into second base.

You know, now I'm going to wake up at like 330 in the morning.

It's like, Oh, that's what I said.

Or I can just get on YouTube next week and watch.

You could you could Shameless plug YouTube.com slash.

I guess I was going to say I was going to say you could text, but please, no text warning the one two card strike on the inside corner.

More continuing to battle inside the circle 113 pitches cut on and missed Just got enough of that foul ball McClellan one for three struck out looking in the first singled in the third and grounded into a fielder's choice back in the fifth foul ball Good chase from counter couldn't quite come up with it and so McClellan will continue to battle inside the box.

Just couldn't get out of the stance and locate that fast enough.

Counters done a pretty nice job behind the plate for Bradley.

Obviously a huge bat and the lineup can't underestimate what she's done defensively either.

Catchers have a tough job behind the plate, one to try to go upstairs, but a hold from McClellan even to count, even with a nine run lead in the bottom of the sixth.

Taylor's not taking any advantage or advantage for granted, I should say.

They're grinding out every pitch, every at bat, and that's a mark of good team over to the right side.

It bobbled for a second, but the throw over the first, they will say McClellan beat it out.

So McHenry advances over to third as McClellan reaches on the error.

And now runners on the corners for Ashley Clark and bunt popped up.

Good play over it.

Third, Bradley nearly doubled the runner off at first and the run will come home from third as that ball got towards the outfield.

That's Nick Henry crossing the plate for the game winning run and the Taylor Tigers six state championships in a row as they defeat Bradley 12 to 2.

That place is kind of reminiscent of how this game which Bradley was position to make a lot of plays.

Now don't give me a lot of credit to Taylor.

They put the bat on the ball, but that was just another run scores on a miscue by Bradley and unfortunately for the Lady Bears, that's how this one ends.

But for a sixth consecutive year, the Tigers are ending the season with a celebration.

Now the Taylor Tigers take the state championship.

We're going to take a break.

Will be right back with the trophy presentation after this.

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Welcome back to Forrest Field, where the Taylor Tigers have won their sixth consecutive state championship, defeating rival Bradley 12 two to end.

Bobby It was really the offensive firepower of the Lady Tigers that made the difference tonight.

It was.

And it started at the top and won it, but also started the first batter of the game for Taylor.

You're talking about Buford steps up and they go single and double and triple in that first inning.

And maybe it was just an onslaught of aggressive play at the plate from start to finish.

They knew they were facing a really good pitcher and more.

They just didn't let her settle in.

And they attacked her early and kept Taylor on the receiving end of that trophy, a feeling that they know well and a bit experienced.

Time and time again.

Taylor Just the second team in Arkansas state history to win six consecutive state championships joining four men who did it from 2006 to 2011.

Taylor Getting performances from all across the field and now getting the banner, the hardware, the banner.

You get some rings.

There's a lot to commemorate here tonight at Bears Field.

This is a man let's think about that six consecutive state championships and the first time it's ever been done in soft fastpitch softball, I believe, started in 1998.

So that's happened twice.

I know there's obviously multiple classifications, but in this speech, the program that was built in Taylor, obviously what coach McHenry has been able to build on the last two seasons really, really impressive.

And that squad right there, good, really good chance to be back because we talked about how young they were right in the middle, top of the bottom of their lineup.

And don't be shocked if Brantley is not back here playing for a title again next year.

I would not be shocked to see the Lady Bears.

A lot of young talent on that team.

They'll remember this valuable experience playing in a state championship.

Even on the losing and a well-played game today from Bradley.

They thought they did, but they never gave up.

They just ran into a really hot offensive team today.

And we're going to see the highlights.

But Taylor just pounded the softball.

I mean, from start to finish.

They put it in play.

They put pressure on Bradley's defense.

And these weren't just, you know, soft liners.

They were banging it off the fence.

Bradley got on the board first with a solo home run from Jackie Kellner in the first.

But then Taylor's bats went to work.

They got three in the first, more in the second.

Up the middle off the bat of Madison, Lindsey, that plated one.

And then in the third, Maggie McHenry started off the triple ended up scoring on the wild pitch Bradley fighting back in the fourth.

That was the RBI single off the bat of Chelsea Whitfield to plate Ainsley more at a pair of doubles today did the pitcher but then Taylor going back to work they got three more in the fifth inning off of a pair of suicide squeezes and then three more in the bottom of the sixth inning.

First three batters reached.

That's Lindsey Fowler.

McHenry all got on base and then coming in sacrifice fly plated one more Taylor able to score 12 runs pounded out 15 hits on their way to a six consecutive state championship.

This is just the first day of high school state championships on Arkansas PBS Sports.

We hope you'll join us for our next game coming up tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.. And as the for a baseball state finals, lone oak versus ash down should be a good one, Of course, four more championships tomorrow for more on Saturday right here on Arkansas PBS.

So don't go anywhere.

Just don't change the channel.

Just leave it here It we'll and we'll get you some high school action baseball and softball over the next 48 hours.

Plenty more still to come this weekend.

So for our entire crew here at Arkansas, PBS and Bobby Swofford, I'm Dorian Kraft saying good night.

We'll see you right back here tomorrow.