
AR PBS Sports Softball State Championship - 1A
5/23/2022 | 2h 3m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
AR PBS Sports Softball State Championship - 1A Taylor vs. Westside
AR PBS Sports Softball State Championship - 1A Taylor vs. Westside
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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AR PBS Sports Softball State Championship - 1A
5/23/2022 | 2h 3m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
AR PBS Sports Softball State Championship - 1A Taylor vs. Westside
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipWell, good morning and welcome to Central Arkansas Agabus event high school.
The one a state finals here tonight or part of me this morning.
Taylor playing West side in a battle between two folks here Taylor's won four in a row trying to make it 5 West side only championship came in 07.
Just about set for.
Pardon me for softball.
Part of me there and I'm Jamie Brazil on some Derrick Walton JB excited to be here in the 18 state finals.
Taylor coming back this year after a four in a row state championships.
Taylor today keys for winning bats have to show up there.
A very powerful team and we will see what happens here as they start the game.
One ball one strength to count 2 the top of the line up for the Tigers.
The Tigers lineup will look like this.
Charlie Downs along Buford and Heidi, May will be the top third of the order.
Lauren Leonard, Maggie McHenry.
Madison Lindsay will be the middle third is out what's popped up and skied to deep center field center fielder Thompson's over though in the gap makes the catch and the first out of this won a state final is recorded a flyball to center that field there from downs.
Who's a very dangerous hitter as we continue the bottom third of the order, Michaela Downs, Reese, Fowler and Madison McClelland for the Taylor Tigers like we were talking.
Be Taylor has to.
Has to show their bats here.
They are very powerful team and we will see what they're able to do here in the top half of the inning with their first batters.
Also Taylor, a very young team and so we will see if these underclassmen can can act like upperclassmen today and bring home another state championship for Taylor to talk about the youth, the battle right now is the freshman pitcher Alec Buford, who is, you know you you'd be deceived with her youth, but my goodness she's electric in the circle.
She's also got a good average.
Welsh is hitting 348 on the year with two long balls.
But she's down in the count of ball 2 strikes right here.
1 two pitch misses down on the way to even the count up at 2 balls and two strikes in the circle for the Eagles as McKenna.
Better she's a senior, she's a veteran trying to lead her team to a state title for the first time, and for the second time in school history.
First time since 07.
Is that what's poked 4?
Left side Jamie Biddle has 47 innings pitched this year.
She's giving up 14 hits, 34 walks, and she has 100 strikeouts, so Westside will definitely lean on her to hopefully keep the tailor.
That's in the dugout today.
This is one of those games we expect a close one as we saw in the first two games in soft was that when messes up and then full count now Cabot fell to Bentonville 3 to 1 yesterday in the night cap and then in the mid afternoon game Tuckerman took home the title against EPC six to two is Beauforts called out on strikes outer half watched it go 2 outs in the top of the first, and Biddles and Adaway from working A123 inning.
A huge strikeout for middle there.
JB.
Obviously Westside really trying to tame the first part of Taylor's website or Taylor's roster and they did that there is that what messes up?
Anyway, let's check West side defensively today over at third base will be Mandy Smith.
The shortstop is Jesse Corbier harnesses over at second base and Smith plays first base, so Smith Scorpio Smith, Harness and Smith from left to right on the infield is the one O pitch pitch.
Misses downstairs two and O. Parker, Thompson and Baker, from left to right, of the outfield to catchers Fench and McKenna battle, is in the circle trying to work a 123 and she gotta fly out to center to begin the ball game and then it backwards case, the two misses upstairs.
So Derek, after retiring the first two batters with ease, she's falling behind 3 balls, no strikes.
Yes, Taylor trying to get their first base runner of the day.
Obviously trying to get something started here in the 1st inning.
3 O pitch.
Got to find the zone and she does in her half called strength three in one he look at this Taylor lineup.
They got firepower all across the lineup.
Leadoff hitter downs has nine home runs in a 541 average.
Biddle did a good job retiring her, but then right now you got Leonard hitting 479 with a three home runs and then McHenry.
Or pardon me, may pardon me is we got that is that what's fouled back to even the OR to run the count full Leonard on deck is who I was trying to talk about.
She's at 439 with eleven home runs just all up and down this lineup and you could say the same thing about Westside.
We'll talk about that in the bottom of the inning, but offense is key for both of these teams.
Heidi May brings a lot of base running experience to very quick around the bases, so hopefully if she can get on she'll and there she goes.
She'll get on base here and and look for her to possibly steal second base.
Here is Taylor.
Will try to get something going with two outs.
Get a runner to scoring.
Vision.
She's very quick on the base path, well right on Kilman you talked about her getting on the base path.
You did that.
She's on the base now, so if you're West side, gotta be careful with her speed, but even more so you gotta be careful with Leonard at the plate who leads their team with 11 long balls.
They have got some pop in this tiger lineup.
First pitch four straight back.
We did see may kind of take off there.
So like we said we do look for her to steal.
Leonard, probably one of the more powerful hitters like you said JB on this lineup.
She has come through big this year for Taylor and some some big time situations.
Is that what's popped up foul back over us now?
It's no balls, two strikes, so Biddle got the first two of these worked.
The count back full day after giving the walk, but she's ahead.
O2 on Leonard.
And that's exactly what you want to do with a dangerous hitter at the plate.
If you're Biddle you do not want to give her anything she can hit and that's it.
Strike three called Biddle works around the two out walk and we're underway.
Top of the first is over.
We head to the bottom of the first.
No score as West side gets out to the ending unscathed.
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Was able to put up a zero spot as we look at the batting order for the Eagles.
Pardon me, it'll be Sam Corbiere, Lacey Baker, Maddy Smith top three.
In the middle third, Alyssa Smith, Ellie Thompson and Lolly Parker will be the bottom third of the order and they look to try to take the lead here in the bottom of the first against Taylor.
Her reminder Taylor's won four consecutive state titles trying to make it 5 West side.
The only state title came back in 2007.
They're trying to claim it today or pardon me this morning.
As we head here, the bottom of the first let's talk a little bit about our starting pitcher.
Ella Buford for Taylor.
She's a freshman, talked to her before the game, and she actually last year got to be the managers and 8th graders, so she is thrilled to be back here in Benton.
Pitching and leading her team in a state championship.
Well as a freshman, she's electric earlier in the year she was a walk away.
She gave up a walk and she was a walk away from throwing 3 perfect games in one week as a freshman.
That's electric.
She's going to be playing this game a long time, talking to Coach McHenry before the game.
Obviously her main strength she has.
Mr Defense, she told me that her defense, her infield she trusts.
She knows that if the balls put in play, they're going to back her up.
She also her favorite pitch is a change up and so look for her to throw that a lot today.
She tries to lead Taylor to another state championship corbieres hitting 487 on the year.
No hormones, 16 RBI's batting from the left side 11 from Beaufort outside in the white 21 hitters count now for the leadoff hitter for the Eagles as they look to try to jump on the board first in a scoreless ball game in the bottom of the first here sophomore.
She is batting 487 on the year, so a great leadoff hitter for West side.
Hopefully she will get something started here in the bottom half of the first.
She leads their team in average as he lines that with foul over the third base, dugout count evens up.
Now at 2 balls and two strikes, I mean she also leads the team on On Base Percentage for the year so she will find a way.
Like you said the count two and two.
She will find a way to get on base and that's what you look forward to.
Lead off hitter top of the lineup.
Get on base producers runs.
That's what you want, especially here.
The 1A.
Great title game view for 2/2 tap of the play and I tell you we're gonna mention this a lot.
Throughout the broadcast, we anticipate as all these games have been very, very close.
Taylor's on a 14 game winning St West Side 11 game winning streak.
Only one team is going to come out of here with a win and in their season and state champs we expect a vote to put it all on the line.
22 from Beaufort and delivery that was your speed.
Hey, great job.
There in front cooperrider, able to battle and fight that one off.
That's a tough pitch.
Beaufort likes to go to that.
A lot gets a lot of hitters out front.
Like Jamie, you know.
22 County just got to stay in there falling off and live to see another pitch.
And that's exactly what she was able to do there to stay alive.
2 balls, two strikes.
Once again the seventh pitch of the about up coming.
To corbier the leadoff hitter for the Eagles, 2 two chapter third Nice back end by May the throw on the money.
That's exactly what you're gonna see all day long with this defense from both sides may with a backhand and a great throw across the diamond.
For the owl.
We talked about it.
JV Buford said she loves to pitch her defense and we see right there a great play throws over the first route #1 so the leadoff batters retired for the Eagles to hold it.
Or Lacey Baker.
She comes in here, betting as a freshman in 342, but she has two home runs and 18 RBI's Derek pretty good for a youngster.
And that's a strike of the days.
West side has two freshmen starters.
Today the two and three hole hitters see if they can contribute for the Eagles today.
And that's a good sign of success for a program.
When you've got players from all up and down, the lineup of all ages, both sides have.
That is that what's found bacco, too?
Now I know we've been watching a lot of softball, and we continue watch a lot of softball this weekend.
That's really one thing.
I think that sets the 1/2 and three a apart from maybe the bigger classifications is you get to see some freshmen.
And a big stage come in and and see what they're able to do for their team.
And so really neat to see 22 freshmen for Westside making the start today trying to battle.
Here's Baker 02 Beaufort trying to get her to chase up and away would do it.
One ball 2 strength account now.
Beautiful day here in Benton.
Little windy, breezy but cool Suns behind the clouds.
Hopefully we'll continue to have a little bit of a mild day.
Well, the early morning has a little bit to do then I say early morning it's not that early.
Ten o'clock, first pitch 76 degrees at first pitch as well.
So beautiful.
Day here at the park, the one too.
There's that off speed which talked about man.
She pulled the string out in front, was Baker into her gone.
That is a nasty pitch JB and she like I said she told me she likes to throw the off speed the change up and breaking ball.
She was able to get a nasty pitch there for like you said just just absolutely.
There's the replay.
Wow, great pitch for out #2.
And here's the deal.
Even if you don't swing, that's right down the middle so it's a strike.
By the way.
Great job there from you for three hole hitter Mandy Smith, will that now?
And she waves and misses at the first one that falls behind one Buford gets ahead.
Smith that other freshman we were talking about batting 294 on the year she'll try to get something started for Westside here in the bottom half of the first.
So after the top of the first in Biddle got the first two retired.
But then he gave up the wall.
Now, Buford trying to work a 123 inning against you.
Her counterpart there on the other team she's ahead O2 on the three hole hitter.
Great pitching, we'll see if she can go 123 here with the O2 count.
Key to success has been filling up the strike zone and mixing up your pitches.
Beaufort's done that early O2 pitch trying to work a 123 that one down in what would be the dirt.
The turf here?
That's a good pitch on O2 your head don't throw anything she can hit.
Obviously the three hole hitter really good.
Stake for West side.
So just try to get it swinging a miss.
It's something to load one ball.
2 strikes.
Smith will have to battle here.
It comes, fouled off right side.
And if you if there's something you want to do, both these pictures are very, very good.
If you're hitter, you got to be disciplined.
Make them work a little bit, work the count and trying to get him tired up a little bit so you can get some pitches you like.
But before trying to work a 123, any right here?
The one too and it's popped up foul again.
You know, we've seen that's been a theme really from this whole tournament here.
The same final even yesterday.
We've seen a lot of really disciplined hitters from all ages senior to freshman.
It's good to see that even this level we we're we're expecting a good game of softball, and we certainly have gotten that early.
Well, it's a state finals and, you know, they played great ball through regional state tournaments.
And obviously the goal for every team is to make it here.
Super strikes out.
She's Smith.
Wow, she's really good.
Both pitchers dealing early, but Buford gets to 123 home.
Half of the first.
We played one full here in Benton, in the state title for one egg you're watching the Centennial Bank state baseball and softball championships.
Arkansas PBS.
We head to the top of the second.
We are back.
Let me take you for a ride on the baseline.
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The top of the second here in Benton, AR.
As we look again at the lineups went over that a little bit.
But Derek, you look at a couple of hitters in this lineup.
This tiger your office has got some power.
Absolutely we see Carly Downs leading off for Taylor.
We saw her last inning, Beaufort may, Leonard McHenry, Lindsey, Downs, Fowler and McClelland and Leonard struck out looking to end that top of the first inning.
So it will be the five six and seven hitters to bat here in the top of the second.
McHenry, Lindsey and Downs and Fowler will bat if anybody reaches first pitch for middle to begin the top of the seconds are called strike Owen.
One both pitchers get ahead early.
They like to throw strikes and good things happen.
When you fill up the strike zone, you know we talked a little bit about Taylor's successes West side today obviously needs to stoke focus on playing fundamental softball.
Can't make a lot of errors against a really good tailor team.
Builds player defense, right?
Like you just said, throw strikes, throw that ball in the zone, make Taylor put it in play.
And then obviously West side needs to put the ball in play.
Obviously need to get some base hits in order to be a really good tailor team.
02 to McHenry up in a way that wasn't as close, so now is it taxing for McHenry to get a swing?
You know, look at McHenry, hit 452 on the year with three home runs.
The only players in this tanker offense without long balls or the 8-9 hitters, Reese Fowler and Madison McClelland, and that goes to show you anything is that was ripped to short bobbled by the shortstop.
Going to have to hurry, low throw gets away for the 1st.
Smith Smith heading to 2nd bases McHenry and she'll dive.
Head first in safely.
We have pardon me.
Taylor has their second base runner of the game, but our first base runner in scoring position or in the morning and we just talked about it.
Westside got to make sure they don't commit that right there that was charged in error to the shortstop.
Tough play though for Westside Taylor obviously now runner in scoring position.
Gonna try to break the game open with first run of the game.
Lindsey stands into that now is that one was recorded as a hit.
They call it an error on the throwing or on the throw there from corbiere.
And it's one ball, no strikes now to Lindsey the six hole hitter is Atwoods are called strike to even things up.
Hey, if you're a West side just kind of stay calm and collected.
Don't try to do too much Biddle on the on the part of me.
The circle going to try to.
Live with the damage is that one waved at and missed one ball.
2 strikes thing you can say about this Taylor offense.
One through nine they can all hit the ball and so if you're West side and your Biddle just attack here, let's get out number one and move through the lineup and attack.
She does a wave it miss there from Lindsay.
That's exactly what you need after giving up the infield single runner still at second base with one gun is down to come to back.
JB great composure there from middle right.
Give up.
Give up an air.
She gets to 2nd.
You're able to come in and and strike someone out and get get out number one.
So great job by Biddle to bounce back and she's a senior is she's showing her veteran ship right there.
She got that track.
There's a foul ball off from downs, but I'm telling you even that ball that she just gave up probably the sharpest hit ball we've had here in this early game from McHenry shortstop Corbiere tried to make a play on it.
Obviously it was going to be tough anyhow, but no balls one strike to the seven hole hitter.
The left fielder down slayings.
It drives that one to left field that ball.
Could go off the wall, that's gonna be extra bases.
They're gonna wipe home their runner from 3rd to throw is gonna go to the pitcher and we have the games first.
Run Taylor with a couple of hits in the inning.
Mikayla down with a double off the wall.
Wow, what a hit.
I mean, I like you.
Kind of made it on the car.
I thought it might go over the fence.
Obviously large fence here in Benton, but what a hit to score the first run.
Great RBI from Michaela.
While the air does come back to be costly for the Eagles.
And it's one that nothing here early.
It Taylor still has a runner in scoring position.
Now if you're vital, we've talked about composure, still got attacked the strike zone in the first pitch, does they try to throw behind the runner downs at 2nd?
But?
Gets back in with that attack.
It's one the count now to Fowler.
We saw Mandy Smith there coming up trying to defend the bunch she's playing.
Really close right now and there's the bump right there, and it's bunted foul.
So now with two strikes do you see Fowler still attempt to bunt here?
Don't think so.
I think with one out I think she'll try to get a base hit and score the runner from second.
I don't don't think you would button this situation.
Fowler's a sophomore hitting 286 does not have a home run.
But typically, like you said, with two strikes, you don't usually see him still trying to, but she's not that one goes over the catcher's ad back to the screen that will allow downs to move up a base to 3rd on the wild pitch.
Fowler last year played in the state championship game.
She had one run in last year's finals.
If you're Fowler here, just a ground ball in the middle infield will get a run home.
But a strike out wall is.
Fowler Waves and misses for the second out of the inning.
Hey, Bettel can get out of this with a limited damage if she can get the 9 hole hitter.
Maddie McClellan was a great pitch high in the zone, made her swing and miss, and so two outs.
Now, hopefully she can retire this matter here and get out of the inning with just one run.
The runner at 3rd is Downs doubled home.
A run in this inning moved to 3rd on the wild pitch.
It's want to know though, to the 9 hole hitter McClelland.
With two gone at the top of the second of this one, a state final match up Taylor looking to make it five straight is the one.
Oh yeah 10 misses high two now count West side 11.
Back in 07.
Trying to make it their second in school history.
McClellan really good at putting the ball in play.
She looked for her to make something happen here with two outs.
2 balls, no strikes.
The hitters count.
McClellan misses out and away again.
Now it's three and O.
Here's what you don't want to do.
You got the top of the line up the as far as average goes the best hitter of the Taylor.
Went up in Carly Downs wedding in the on deck circle.
Gotta be careful with the three oh pitch.
Don't wanna put McClellan on and face downs.
And she will.
That one gets away from the catcher.
It's ball 4 but Michaela Downs will have to stay put over at third base and it brings in the top of the line up for the Tigers and a very dangerous hitter in Carly Downs.
You're exactly right.
Batting 541 on the year.
See if she can't drive in Taylor's second run of the day.
She's off for one today.
She flew out to center to begin the ball game, but I'll tell you she's got nine home runs that second best on the team.
She's got some pop.
And she takes the first pitch for a called strike.
Oh, and one, hey, it's gonna be interesting to see how Biddle pitches around that.
That's a good way to start though.
Get ahead early on a very dangerous hitter and you want to get ahead.
You wanna be able to throw?
There's some off speed.
Wanna throw some, maybe some balls out of the zone and you're not able to do that when you're behind, so you want to be in control of the county and be able to throw what you want to throw.
One ball, one strike, runners at the corners, two gone downs way.
It's that one driven deep left center field.
Center fielder is not gonna be able to get their one run comes in to score.
They're gonna hold McClellan at third in the second with a double and an RBI is Carly Downs and the Tigers are up two to nothing as they brought in a couple here in the top of the second you called it JB Downs.
Great a great hitter for Taylor.
Obviously a great base hit bounce right in front of the center fielder.
She's able to get another RBI for Taylor.
It's 2.
Nothing, and the two hitter Buford, the pitcher, got a chance to help herself out waves and misses at the first one, Beaufort struck out looking her first time up, trying to reverse that here, and this is bad.
Trying to get another RBI here with a runner at 3rd and 2nd.
Is the old one is a little bit high.
One ball one strike is that one just missed?
Upstairs looks for Taylor to be really aggressive here you've got you've got runners like we said at 2nd and 3rd I want to break this game open see what she does here.
The ones a great pitch outer half called strike to Buford and it's one of two.
Don't play empire.
This one is Chris Mckellips Bill Fry's.
The first base umpire, and Sean Bradford's over at third base to call this one a state final.
The 1-2 Beauford foul tipped into the catchers Mitt, and that is strike three to end the top of the second inning, but Taylor scores a couple of runs on three hits.
They lead it two to nothing as we head to the bottom of the second one.
A state final here on Arkansas PBS sports.
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Watch all the championship games at youtube.com/arkansasPBS.
Let's take a look now at the defense.
4 Taylor in the outfield.
We've got downs and left Leonard and center Fowler.
And right, you've heard obviously pitching Lindsay behind the plate.
May it third downs at short.
Leonard at Second McHenry at first.
As we head here to the bottom of the second hey, Taylor jumped on Bethel to take a two to nothing.
Lead Westside went 123 in their home.
Half of the first, their second at bat of the game, trying to muster up some hits and try to get something on the board to equalize.
Here with Taylor and West side, you obviously want to score here.
You've got to get the game close.
You don't want to get out of hand early, and that's a way to do it.
Chopper to the hole at short diving play the throws wide Biddle's going to try to move to second base, but we have a throw.
We will it's not gonna be in time.
Hey, that's a lot like we saw the last inning begin a ground ball to the shortstop, a single, then a throwing error and that puts the Eagles a runner in scoring position.
One of the keys that we had for Westside was put the ball in play and we saw Bill do that right there.
And good things happen when you put the ball in play.
And that's exactly right.
And you could say that at any level especially.
But my goodness put the bat on the ball, that ball was hit sharply off the bat of Biddle Biddle.
Arguably they're vested in the lineup.
And Katie Davis is gonna come in run for Biddle as a courtesy runner.
So obviously some speed there and we'll see if in the West side can get something going with a runner in scoring position defense this senior coming into back 395 got a home run 28 RBI trips that went hard to 3rd and they gotta have Davis Davis trying to advance to third base and they tapped her out.
That is the last thing you want to happen if you're West side you got a courtesy runner.
You hope that they wouldn't make that mistake.
That ball hit right to that side of the infield and then easy.
Play just tag her out and Westside loses their runner in scoring position.
So six unassisted on the fielders choice ground out over at first base is Fitch.
And it brings in the six hole intersected baseman Kendra Harness.
Beaufort with that slow off speed.
They try to throw behind the runner at 1st and it was awfully close, but nothing back in was fetch.
We talked about the experience of Taylor Lindsay thought she was off a little bit too far off the base and she threw down.
It was a close play.
Good heads up play by the catcher.
Harnessed the plate.
No one count as that slope off speed was tough to handle.
Ohh one.
Fouled outside the first base bag.
And now it's a no ball.
Two strike count, say Beaufort Zone what she's done.
All morning long, got ahead of hitters.
She's done so again here with harness and a no ball, two strike count.
With two strikeouts so far.
She's only giving up one hit.
She's got one out of the inning after giving up the infield single and error.
A fielder's choice ground out got that lead runner they throw behind the runner at first fence.
It gets away.
That's another error that allows fence to go to second.
Now going to 3rd and the throws not even gonna come there.
Fence takes a wide turn at 3rd and she'll hold up there after the miscue from the Tigers.
Now the ground ball in the infield might get a run home.
We saw an error by West side which obviously gave Taylor their first run of the game and now and everybody Taylor which gets a runner on 3rd with only one ounce.
We'll see if.
Westside can take advantage of her owner.
The Tigers, playing back up the middle infield.
So you gotta hit the ball.
Mostly, you're not gonna get a run home if you hit it to the corners.
You're gonna have to hit that ground ball in the middle of the infield.
A deep fly ball would also get around home.
Obviously, base it would do the job as well.
1/2 that was a great foul off of the catcher with an excellent dive.
Didn't make the catch, but how about Lindsey laying out and almost made a great catch?
You know, the catchers are leader of your team and she really laid out there.
Tried to get the second out.
That would have been a huge out.
For Taylor here in the bottom half of the second heating, but a great effort by the catcher diving, that's hard to do.
JB, you gotta get your mask on it's bobbling everywhere diving and almost come up with a catch.
Great effort.
On top of that, just a very athletic play as well.
Does Steven have a bid on that?
But hey, how about the at bat there from harness to fight it off?
1/2 trying to do a job.
The pitch just a little bit outside up and away.
Perhaps as well.
2 balls.
Two strikes.
It's a good call.
She tried to frame that on the other half of the plate but good call.
Ball was outside and it's two and two.
Now in old played, umpire Chris Mckellips was all over that.
He has kept his own consistent here early and.
The call was outside 2 balls, two strikes, one gone, runner at third.
Here for the Eagles as Beaufort delivers from the circle found at the plate.
Once again, that is something we've seen here early.
A lot of foul balls, a lot of good gun, good contact and discipline is West side trying to get on the board harness is just trying to stay in there.
She's just trying to keep the count.
Trying to find a pitch she can put into play and hopefully get an RBI.
2 balls, two strikes once more, before taking some time as she finally takes the rubber runner church fence moved up on a throwing air.
After she reached on the Fielders Choice 2 two pitch to harness fouled at the plate.
Once more through a fastball inside there tried to jam her.
See if she comes back with a breaking pitch.
Here on a 22 count good crowd on hand West side from Gooseberry, made the 91 mile trek down South to Benton Taylor, 130 miles away from the high school, made their trek up here they went north.
Both teams meeting in the middle of Benton Taylor had a little bit farther track.
22 again to harness that one, drop it away.
Full count.
Big opportunity here for harness.
And how about the bat right here.
She's fought off some very difficult pitches from the freshman Beaufort.
She has and it's like we talked about.
It's a huge opportunity right now for Westside.
Don't know how many opportunities you're going to have with runner at third.
Only one out.
Obviously want to get that first run contact is a must.
The payoff pitch is up and away.
A walk of work too.
No run comes in to score obviously, but there will be runners at the corners for the seven hole hitter Alicia Smith, the first baseman.
What a great at bat by harness, she's stuck in there.
She was down in the count.
Got it back to three and two and then a walk.
So obviously a huge at bat for her.
We'll see the seven hole like you said, Alyssa Smith.
Come in and see if she can't maybe get an RBI here for Westside.
If you're Taylor and Buford, you're trying to.
Keep something low in the zone and trying to get Smith into a double play ball.
First pitch from Beaufort, chopped to the right side first basement that's gonna allow a run to come home.
Perhaps the throw home is late so the job is done on the RBI ground out there from Smith.
Finch hesitated, coming home and it almost cost her.
Almost got a double play, but a great great first run for West side.
Obviously to get one run there.
You hate to hate to not leave this any without a run so big.
Big two out hit that run is unearned due to the air 2 two to one now though is Taylor.
Is up by a runaway side, cuts the deficit in half with the runner at second base.
Now with base hit Katie things up with Ellie Thompson stands in and she takes that slow looping off speed just outside the zone.
I wish we had a gun here because that was a super slow pitch compared that's her changeup compared to that fastball that we saw throwing side just a battery ago.
Thompson has six RBI's on the year trying to make it 7.
Well, one oh pitch from Beaufort.
That one misses outside 2 balls, no strikes hey, and ever since we've seen some of the errors, we've seen Buford fall behind its accounts.
Yes she has.
She was obviously right on top of things in the first inning.
123 struggling here just a little bit.
Obviously defense gave up an air there to that.
Ended up scoring that first run, but see if she can't battle back and get this third out.
That's really difficult.
A lot of times errors lead to bigger things and that's been the case here.
This one is that was found outside first two and one.
I think that's something that's overlooked a lot as a pitcher sometimes when you're dealing and your team makes some miscues perhaps and you and you kind of get right a little bit.
It's a huge mental game and it's tough to keep your composure.
Before trying to battle back in, this is it's a 21 count talk about the mental game.
One thing I really enjoyed when I talked to her just how much she trusted the defense.
And so when you trust them that much they give up an air.
How you look to the next pitch.
You move on and they get the next batter.
And that we're misses down and then three and one we heard the the chattering and the chair for the crowd thought it might be a strike call for the Taylor faithful, but I think the umpire kind of jumped a little bit.
I thought they thought he was calling a strike, but it definitely was not a strike.
Well, that's what I was going to be surprised about.
31 hitters count for Thompson little.
She dig in for something she likes.
Beaufort delivers and that one is low ball 4.
That is the second walk giving up by Buford in in this inning.
That brings in a lolly Parker, the left fielder, runners at 1st and 2nd West side trying to take advantage for great opportunity right here and we'll see if they're they can get another run and tie this game.
They've already scored once in the evening after Taylor put up a two spot in the top of this inning.
Westside retaliates with one of their own trying to tie things up.
As Lolly Parker swings and misses at the first one, strike one.
Parker eleven RBI's on the season had a great tournament.
Though in postseason she's got 7 so she really has had a great state tournament regional tournament.
See if she can't add to her RBI total.
She also has a home run on the year the old one way out front of that one from Beaufort.
That one was filthy as nasty and Parker couldn't connect.
Now going to have to protect at the plate.
Here's what Buford's good at which is not an 02 count.
She is really good at.
She her two strike counts have come on 1/2 pitches and so.
She likes to waste one here and then.
She can really do some damage.
Yeah, this this next ball should not be in the strike zone for Beaufort.
The O2 and the right on cue that one misses up and away, but that's a chase pitch.
That's what she's trying to do.
She's got an 02 count she's going to throw it out of the zone trying to get you to swing and miss both of our strikeouts have come on 1/2 counts.
That's where Molly Parker's at right now.
Gonna have to battle to keep from striking out.
Runners at 1st and 2nd 2GO on buffer tanks.
The circle and the 1/2 delivery that one was not close bounced at the play evens the count up at 2:00 and two.
Yeah, I would imagine that's not what before trying to throw there.
No, it definitely slipped out of her hand.
I tell you one thing, West sides done this this happening that's been really good is they've been patient.
They've gotten behind in counts.
They they've.
They've gotten ahead in counts.
They've walked twice.
They're not swinging at junk and and obviously as a pitcher makes things a little more difficult.
Things are even up.
Two balls 2.
Branch 2 outs, 2 on.
There's a swing and a miss.
Beauford gets out of the inning and only gives up a run on a hit.
There was an error as well.
Two base runners left.
We played two full here.
Early in Benton, AR.
Taylor leads it to the one you're watching.
The 1A State Softball Championships here on Arkansas.
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Yeah, the top of the third.
We had two one Taylor leads it as they bat here to begin.
345 main.
Leonard and Mick.
Henry and Madison.
Lindsay Batty.
If anybody can reach, may walked her first time up on a payoff pitch.
She was the first base runner of the ball game.
As we get a little bit of a hold up here.
And hopefully umpire finally gives the signal and may will take the batters box.
The third baseman already made a nice play today.
Pops this first pitch up foul out of play.
Like you said, May Walker first time up, try to get something started here for the Tigers or the top half of the third inning.
A reminder.
Westside on 11 game winning streak.
Taylor Swan 14 straight and in this one only one team going to come home with a win.
I tell you we've sought said this earlier.
Tennis won four consecutive and so I talked to coach Courtney McHenry before the game.
This is actually her first year coaching Taylor.
She is a third grade teacher.
Also coaches, the volleyball team started that program two years ago and she said she's just excited.
Obviously I'm a little nervous to carry on the tradition of of being here at the state championship, but she said she was excited and girls have worked so hard all year and she's just excited to be part of a great program that indeed she is.
Universe her volleyball programs.
Anything like softball or darn good ones.
I tell you, one ball, one strike two.
The three hole hitter may that one hit up the middle shuts down, ranging to a lamp.
That's corbiere.
Throw the first.
That's money.
That is a very difficult play.
But copier made that one look easy in the leadoff batter is gone.
Great play by the shortstop too.
Moved to her lab, fielded cleanly and.
Get out number one for Westside.
We talked about it fundamental softball is gonna help win the game.
As it brings in the cleanup hitter Leonard down struck out, look at her first time up.
This is a very dangerous hitter at 439 eleven long balls.
First pitch happened in one ball and no strikes.
Biddle is not going to file behind Leonard.
Leonard and dangerous hitter with the leadoff batter gone though bases are empty, as Biddle attacks once more, one owes in the dirt low 2 balls, no strikes.
And when I say dirt, I mean turf because there is no dirt here at the high school of Benton, it's a beautiful complex, isn't it?
Baseball's right behind us.
We'll we'll play the next game at Soccers football stadiums right to our left.
Just a beautiful, complex, beautiful place for the weekend of champions where we will.
Crown champions and baseball softball and soccer, well, Biddle.
As behind 30 here.
Cast to come with a strike and dust three and one, but hey, you're right.
This complex is about as good as it gets, especially at this level.
It said it absolutely gorgeous here.
They've done a really nice job here, but in high school, 3 balls.
One strike though, to the cleanup hitter, Leonard Biddle.
Gotta be careful and she gets a big pitch once she needs to.
Leonard Waves and misses counts full.
Now, how about middle behind three, and those battled all the way back to three and two.
She'll try to get out number 2 for Westside.
This is her.
Back at full count last time she walked and she died.
So here so the base on balls for Leonard puts a base runner aboard actually think JV she might have hit her.
I'm not sure we'll see how they score that one hit by pitcher.
I'll walk, but regardless, she's on 1st with one out.
That's right, we're going to look at the replay here.
Not sure if it matched, you know.
Here's the deal and that's the worst time to get hit with a softball baseball of any kind.
Whatever.
What are you doing?
3 ball count?
You get hit with one.
It's going to be ball for anyway, so you just definitely.
Try to get out of the way.
Baseball Jay Reed did you step in or did you kind of jump out?
Definitely took something I I was.
I was the guy that leaned my elbow out there.
A little bit really well, allegedly is that one's the contract of the knees 01 you struck me as a guy that might run away from it.
Shell might really think that.
It's my my alter ego.
Other side, no balls, one strike, two McHenry runner at first the lead that one swung on Skype to right center field could be trouble right fielder Baker going back though and over showed him makes the catch a bluff move there from Leonard trying to move up to second but she'll stay put two gone now and Bill got a big out Lacey Baker.
Great job in right field you know sometime right fielder doesn't get enough publicity there but did a great job when called upon.
Ran to her right behind her and made the out and that was not an easy catch.
They're just shy of the warning track.
Ohh, very windy here in Benton today too so that should affect those balls.
High pop UPS and outfield and you look at the right fielder, Baker.
She's over there every play trying to back up that throw at first base.
That is really great to see if your coach Jeff Smith one ball.
2 strikes though 2 the six old hitter Lindsey with the router first base two gone that ones waved at him and Steve and the Count they're trying to throw behind Leonard at first but to no avail.
Lindsey struck out her first at bat.
She'll settle in there with a 11 count and see if she can't move a runner over from first coming into the title game lens is hitting 500 and that one away that it missed has three long balls as well, but she's trying to keep from striking out for the 2nd consecutive and back.
You know, we talk about Beaufort, but Biddle is pitching very well today.
We've seen her get behind.
We've seen her have.
Taylor's had people in scoring position, but she's battled back and only giving up two runs here.
I'm just a great job by Biddle so far, but that was nearly hit her up and in two balls, two strikes they're playing Lindsay deep in the outfield.
Just shine the warning track, but the two two swung on and missed and Bethel strikes out to it strikes out to end the inning.
2 to one after 2 1/2 here in Central Arkansas, we had to the bottom of the Third West side trying to tire take the lead.
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I can only think of the kids in small towns and this is the biggest moment.
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Bottom of the third two to one Tyler pardon, Me Tigers lead it, but West side trying to get something back here and tie things up or jump ahead.
We've talked about both of these schools and their softball tradition.
We talked about Westside winning their only state championship in 2007.
Taylor State championships.
In 2021 we didn't play in 2020 because of COVID.
That's right.
2019 2018, 2017, 2013, 2012 and 2025 finally, so obviously, Taylor's storied softball program and gonna try to get their fifth in a row.
Well, here's the deal, and we've mentioned this before, but doesn't matter how many times you've been to the state title game.
The nerves are still always there.
I imagine they've kind of dissipated at this point in the game is where the bottom third it'll bring in the top of the line at Corbiere, Baker and Smith.
The second time to the order for this Eagle lineup chopper to shortstop Carly Downs high throw.
The first did you get the foot back down indeed?
And the leadoff batters retired six to three on that put out Wow McHenry had to jump up.
Foot came off the base and she's able to get the foot back down for out.
#1 great.
Flame by the tall first base.
Been able to to get that bottle as we watch it right here.
In the replay it was close but definitely right there definitely got that foot.
Hey, how about that first base umpire?
Bill Fry with an eye on that making a great call one gone 2 hole hitter.
Standing in now and there's a swinging a miss there from Lacey Baker who struck out her first time up both Roy today.
It's one of the reasons why you want a tall first baseman.
Somebody that can reach.
She jumped up and made that play.
She's got two home runs on the year 18 RBI's as well.
But down in the Count 112, the freshman.
Ohh, one pitch from Beaufort that one misses Lodi even thinks up at a ball and a strike again.
Beauford earlier in the year she gave up a walk earlier in the year in a game, and if she hadn't given up the walk, she would have completed 3 perfect games within one week, regardless of how you put that.
That's utterly impressive for a freshman.
Nonetheless, 1 ball.
One strike to Baker the pitch.
Swung on, popped down the right field line right fielder diving.
That's a fair ball.
Couldn't make the catch Baker's gonna try to wave it in for a triple the throw it's not gonna be in time came off the bag a little bit it was close but the third base umpire Sean Bradford was all over.
He calls her safe gives her time as well.
Hey that's a big hit there for the sophomore with one going a big hit.
Like we said put the ball in play and good things happen and she's rounding second we'll see it here on the replay she slides.
Great slide, a good pop up slide.
The problem is she switched feet and when she did she came off.
Umpire said that the tag was not on when she switched feet so good base running though.
Quick way to get to third base on a triple and nonetheless West side.
Got a runner at 3rd with only one out.
You looked at Reese Fowler the right fielder.
She gave a full effort Trinidad and make the catch.
The problem is once that one landed fair it was trouble and the triple there with one out.
The coach going over there and talking the third base umpire don't blame her.
It was a Bang Bang play from here.
It was interesting because like I said she popped up and she switched legs and so from her vantage point a lot of Taylor fans thought that maybe.
She was out with the tag Empire, said it was not applied so they've got somebody at third base.
If only one down as Smith trying to lay down a bunt trying to bring the run home.
They're trying to get a run down.
They throw to third base.
It's not going to be in time trying to move up to second, they bluffed the throw getting back.
No, it's safe at third.
Wow, there was a lot happening on that play, but how about Lacey Baker over at third, she bluffed the move home.
After the month the pitcher went home with it.
Tried to throw behind her, didn't get her, the runner moves his second.
The third baseman Bluffs and moved his.
Look at Lynn trying to get Baker off the bat was about to say I don't really know how I'm gonna replay that other than let's just watch it.
A lot of throwing around by Taylor Taylor, a great play by the 3rd baseman right here.
She fakes the throw, even faked our cameraman out there and almost got her again.
So now runners at second and third one gone for Biddle, the.
Arguably the best hitter in their lineup leads the team with five home runs and also leads the team with 31 RBI's.
If you're West side, this is the guy you want up.
And this is the time one out two runners in scoring position.
They can really take their first lead here with a base hit and we'll see if Bill can come through in the clutch.
4 The Eagles Beaufort with one out.
In the end.
He really needs a big out here against a tough hitter and Biddle that one popped up on the infield shortstop going back.
Back peddling makes a great catch and that won't allow anybody to move up.
Great play by Carly Downes to go behind her, makes the catch.
And there's two gone now and it'll all be up to Courtney Fancy West side is going to be able to try to tire.
Exactly right, Big played by the shortstop, they're back peddling and making the catch.
Keeping those runners at 3rd and 2nd and also keeping the lead for the Taylor Tigers.
That bunt by Smith was a fielders choice, right so?
Joe, for two now it brings in the five litter fetch, grounded out six unassisted or first time up reached on a fielder's choice and the first pitch, miss, is typing away one ball and no strikes.
Boy, we've got a good one here early.
I say early, it's top third now, but 21 Taylor leads at no doubt Beaufort behind here.
She needs to just settle down.
The freshman needs to get her composure.
Know that she's got a great defense.
We've seen that this ending here from Taylor settle down, throw, strike here, get back ahead in the count of three seniors in this starting lineup for Westside trying to do a job as Atwood slides fall off the third base, dugout Kara's back on the field.
11 The count there's a star.
11 The Count battle back.
See if you can't get out #3 and keep the lead.
One ball, one strike, two gone bottom 3.
And a winner.
Take it to state title Taylor trying to make it five straight West side trying to make it their second in program history first.
Since 07 there's a Tapper out front of the catcher.
The throw to 1st ends, the inning Lindsay to McHenry and Taylor works around the pitch, and that's tough.
Beaufort gets the out great pitch once you need to and OS side not able to capitalize and we go to the top of the 4th 21 Taylor leads it you're watching listening Bank state baseball softball championships in Arkansas.
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We had Taylor coming to bat here again.
We anticipated this one to be a close one.
Ain't a good one and it certainly has delivered 21 top four.
And you're right, Jamie.
Great game so far.
2 great teams.
Leaving it all on the line for a state championship.
And Biddle into the circle.
The first pitch here, and that one popped up to the second baseman.
Harnesses there makes the catch, and Michaela Downs is the first out of the fourth.
Reese Fowler and Maddie McClellan will bat next 789 for Taylor.
They're at the bottom line up like we talked to coach.
She said one through 9 can hit it and we'll see if Taylor can get something started here now with Fowler with one down.
And the left hander stands into the box.
Bethel delivers thought about banning third baseman came charging in that one misses down on the way.
One ball 2 strikes.
Valero for one struck out of first time up.
Bonding again here, that one's gonna be caught by the 1st baseman charging in.
That was Smith Alyssa Smith coming in and there are two gone just like that.
What a play by Alyssa Smith Rathers running in and just sticks her hand out and makes the catch great athletic move there to see the bunt late.
If you see it there run in and just reaches out.
Makes the snow cone grab for out #2.
Great play by the 1st baseman 2 going now.
Maddie McClellan walked her first time up on 4 pitches as Biddle delivers.
Has five strikeouts on the day and delivers a strike on the other half.
Throw in one.
Two runs on three base hits, 2 errors for Taylor.
One run on two hits, one Air 4 the eagle, the West side.
01 big swing foul tip into the catchers Meadow.
Two now the Count Westside had a really tough road to get here.
They'd beat a great Mount Vernon team.
Beat a wonderview team.
It's really good in one a so they're they're up for the task.
They're ready to see if they can get it going and a quick 123 getting for West side.
Bet all gets the strikeout and you're exactly right.
Taylor goes 123.
We've played three and a half here in the state title game and won a state championship, an Arkansas PBS sports.
We'll be right back as we head to the bottom of the fourth.
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Model of the 4th.
We had Taylor still up two one it'll be 7 pardon me.
It'll be 6-7 and eight harness Smith and Johnson Parker bats.
If anybody reaches in the inning starting to warm up here in Benton see people drinking that good big red water down there.
Thank you red for all their help around here.
Been some good one.
We got a couple up here in the booth as well.
That's a foul off furnace.
His foot 01.
Artist walked her first time up on a payoff pitch.
Now Buford on the day she has three strikeouts.
He also has a couple of walks as well, but she's had all one on harness here.
Harness a senior 8262 with ten RBI's on the year.
The old one.
It softly foul outside of the first baseline.
Coming in was McHenry, but she touched it in foul ground.
Now it's only two to harness.
Like you said, harness walked her first time up behind in the count.
See if she can battle back.
Get a baserunner here.
Or the Eagles?
They player at standard depth in the infield normal depth in the outfield as well 02 to harness spufford trying to strike out the leadoff hitter, and indeed she does backwards gay as harness watched to go leadoff batters retired and Beaufort gets the leadoff hitter to begin the home.
Half of the 4th as Alyssa Smith made a nice play on that **** attempt.
Comes to bat now.
That is 4 strikeouts for Buford on the day she's walked to, only giving up two hits so far.
She'll continue to battle.
Hopefully battle Taylor all the way to the state championship and Buford delivers the Smith first pitch.
Popped up.
It found ground.
Will it get out and?
To the stands, and indeed it will, outside of reach from the first basement of the catcher.
Ohh, and one the count now to Smith.
Both James have pitched well, but Biddle and Buford in the circle.
It's been a pitchers duel early 21, the lead for Taylor.
Westside has had a chance in that battle of the third, trying to create a chance here in the fourth one.
There's that slow off speed boy that is tough and nasty.
Smith can't catch it or can't connect.
Part mean it's over 2.
I don't know about you JB.
I would not want to try to hit that.
What would you go with that make it that?
Well, it's exactly right.
I mean this is a tough pitch to even see out of the hand and then let alone try to put a good swing on it.
Just it's all about timing.
She throws that off with that off speed should come back with the fastball here indeed.
She does, but it's not quite hittable.
Misses down to the way Smith lays off.
It's one or two now.
One thing about both of these teams, they're very young, only three.
Seniors playing today for Westside got a fourth that's injured.
We talked about the freshmen that are playing for Taylor earlier, but just two really young squads 1-2 nearly inside.
Smith standing tall took it, just didn't Nick the Jersey 2 balls, two strikes.
The countdown is Beaufort struck out harness to begin.
The our bottom of the fourth, and that's where we're at now.
One gone two runs for Taylor at the top of the second Eagles got one run back in that bottom of the second, and the team's been able to push this thing across since that's a fair ball on attack outside of the plate.
Nice play with the country Lindsey and she throws her at first.
Played by Lindsay Field.
The ball.
Take a couple steps up and throw down to first Route #2.
I'm great fundamental softball there 2/3 on the put out there and it brings in Ellie Thompson with two going to the bases empty.
It'll be up to Thompson if the Eagles are going to be able to start a rally in the bottom of the fourth.
Thompson walked her first at bat.
See what she can do with two outs.
Little half hearted swing right behind the pitcher, but Beauford makes a nice athletic play, scoops it up and throws Thompson out at first base.
So West side goes 123 in the half of the fourth.
We've only got three of these left.
Top of the fifth we go.
Taylor's out two one.
You're watching what a state final.
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It's been something great for the state of Arkansas.
We try to showcase the biggest game that most of these student athletes who ever play on statewide television.
My first year doing it, it has been a blast so they did an excellent job up here.
Putting this all together from the production crew all the way down.
Everybody involved AAA as well.
It's just been awesome 01 the count though to downs 123 hitters downs.
Beauford, may Leonard bats.
If anybody reaches here against Bethel and that one got away.
One ball, one strike sails back to the screen and then even things out.
Carly Downs batted leadoff last year in the state championship game.
She had four runs, four hits.
In that game, so a huge part of Taylor's big time win against Sacred Heart, Sacred Heart last years they won seven.
I'm sorry 15 to 5 last year it has been the opposite here thus far.
This one still a lot left to play, but it's been a pitchers Duel 2 to one Taylor's got the advantage at the moment.
Biddle the one that one swung on hit hard deep center field going backs.
Thompson.
Did she make the catch?
It's on the ground though.
That's gonna be a devil.
That was a piece of hitting there from downs.
Thompson came over couldn't quite make the catch and that's gonna be a leadoff double great base.
Running by down, she rounded first and saw that both the second baseman and shortstop were a few feet away from 2nd and she took second base with a double.
So great base running to get another runner in scoring position for Taylor.
That was just a nice piece of hitting from downs.
Thompson just couldn't quite get there.
Got it on the one hop.
Is that what misses down on the way to the zoo hole?
Interview for and on the throwback to the pitcher gets away.
Downs moves to 3rd.
That one could prove costly.
That's experience right there?
JB, they knew obviously saw weakness in Westside earlier not paying attention and just stole third base.
One ball and no strikes to Beaufort that one gets away.
The runner from third Downs comes in to score and she'll get in sliding without A tag or throw for that matter.
Smart base running here for Taylor.
She hesitated twice about halfway down the base path.
See Coach come out and he's going to make a mountain visit.
Talk to his team really.
Just want to settle.
The Tigers down here excuse me, the Eagles.
Rather they're not not over.
It's three to one.
You're still in a great position to come back as the tailored faithful are on their feet and and chanting here.
But if you're West side just calm down play play softball.
We talked about it earlier.
Very close team in Westside play.
Well together.
Had a hard hard time getting here.
Had extra inning game that they won.
That's right and so they've been in the predicament before.
You're only down two runs.
It's not a big deal.
Just calm down and let's focus on the next batter.
We got nobody on the base path.
Let's attack this hitter and go get out.
Number one so beautiful with a permit.
2 count stands in and that was a big swinging.
The Miss might have helped her out there.
Yeah, that pitch up and up and in and.
Buford was ready to hit the ball.
Well, that air was on the ketchup in the throwback to the pitcher who believes that's allowed.
The runner to move to 3rd and downs then scored on the wild pitch is that when messes up in 3 balls in the strike.
Buford struck out in her first two plate appearances, once looking and once swinging, but got a hitters count here.
31 takes it high and she draws a free pass.
So now there's a runner aboard who's still nobody out, and it brings in Heidi may the third base, but over 1 today with a walk in the ground down to the shortstop.
Maybe he's going to try to extend Taylor's lead here.
0 outs runner on 1st.
See if she can at least advance the runner.
And May on the year coming into this hitting 479 with three home run balls and they player deep in the outfield just shy the warning track first pitch from Biddle that one misses up.
Put away right at first.
Little dance it over there.
Good little jump there over at first from Beaufort.
Try to see if she might can swipe a bag if there's an air at throw or a.
While it's not filled cleanly.
What O found back over the netting.
And passed the press box here.
One ball one strike now to the tiger third baseman.
May three home runs on the year.
Manning, 479.
One of the top hitters here for Taylor and she absolutely gets a hold of one there, but it's found down the line.
That was one a fastball up and in got her hands extended turn on that one and she put a charge into it.
Just ends up being a long striking out 22.
We talked earlier about pitching for Taylor and Buford, but Biddle giving it four hits, three runs, three earned runs, four walks and seven strikeouts on the day, the 1/2 found off into the netting and we'll do it again.
Runner at first base with no outs.
Carly Downs let off this top of the fifth with a double moved to 3rd on an air scored on a wild pitch and then walked to Beaufort.
That's where we're at now 31.
Taylor over West side.
The one two hits, the second is it hit sharply enough for two.
It won't be.
They flipped to second base that's harnessed to Corbiere first out of the inning.
46 on the Fielders choice ground out there from May and ones away.
Got my harness, fielded the ball cleanly and get the lead runner.
Obviously don't need to runner in scoring position down two runs.
Just a great great play by the 2nd baseman.
And that's a lot of times where you can see you know, field trying to get a little too quick with it.
Good job.
Made sure she filled it clearly.
Took her time, made a nice throw as Ant one.
First pitch to Leonard upstairs for a ball.
Enters a dangerous hitter off for one day with a strikeout looking, but she also drew a walk.
If you look at her numbers Derek, she is electric.
439 is a senior eleven home runs, one O runner going that one's popped up foul back into and over the netting.
Pardon me and Taylor had to hit and run on that one right here.
Definitely the probably the most powerful hitter.
Miss Taylor team came up big and postseason with.
It's a big, timely hits for the Tigers.
See if she can do it again.
Right now.
There's the 11.
This is a little bit low tone and to your point there she may be one of the most powerful hitters in all 1A.
No doubt eleven home runs.
We look around some other stats.
Runner going.
There's the power that would hit deep if it's fair, it's gone, but it's foul.
Leonard absolutely exploded on that one and she missed A2 run bomb by just a couple of feet.
We talked about it in power sheet.
Turned on that ball, pulled it.
Just four, I don't know how close it was hard to see from our angle, but just a great piece of hitting there.
Unfortunately for her, she'll have to settle in.
It's a foul ball means nothing and she'll settle back in on a 2 two pitch.
See if she can do it again, and if you're middle, there's a shot past the shortstop towards the gap.
Thompson over to get it.
That's off the wall.
Can't field it, they're gonna wave home a runner and coming in to score is Beaufort all the way from first base and RBI double from Leonard or permit was may coming into score.
RBI double there from Leonard and Taylor.
Is that four to one?
How about that you know we talked about players pulling the ball, just wanting to hit home runs after she pulls that one and hits it over the fence foul.
She just comes in and slaps it just a base hit.
Nice piece of hitting for Taylor there able to drive in two runs well and that's what I was going to say.
If you're middle you kind of got a break there.
Just got to come back and attack and she did and unfortunately leave for better Leonard get a good swing on one.
There's a swinging, a miss there from McHenry, the first baseman and it's.
No balls in a strike.
I'll tell you, we talked about this a little bit as the game was beginning Taylor's offenses.
Is nothing to overlook, that's for sure.
They have starting to show it here in this inning for sure, as are up four to one in the top of the fifth inning on five base hits.
They've got two runs or two errors.
Pardon me though.
One run two hits, two errors for Westside.
McHenry her last time.
Flight out to right field flew out to right rather than what gets away from the catcher.
That's gonna be a pass ball, just tipped off her glove there that allow the runner to move to 3rd.
McHenry last year in the finals.
Had two RBI's for Taylor.
Scored a pass ball on that pitch.
Man a hitters count now for McHenry with the runner at 3rd and less than two outs that would swung on hit high and deep, but just as much foul as it lands down the way over the batting cages down the third baseline.
2 balls, two strikes now.
To McHenry Biddle, now with 88 pitches.
7 strikeouts now with two two count.
But I'll need a big pitch that one misses down in the way.
Full count now coming.
Not what you want, there obviously want to stay ahead.
Of the batter here, and try to get out number two with the runner at 3rd, 3 balls, two stacks, runner at third with one gone.
And the payoff here comes that is upstairs, and that's ball 4.
Tool board now with one gone for Taylor and Madison Lindsey, the catcher will come to bat.
She's old for two, struck out twice.
How many get your medicines, Lindsay?
Both times were swinging.
We'd like to see the aggression there from Lindsey, but if you're bill wanna fill up that zone first?
Pitch trying to bunt runner, take second base.
They they got the runner at 3rd to rundown and they're gonna tag around trying to go home.
The runner from first moved up to 2nd and now to third after the rundown.
Hey, but you'll take that if you're West side because there's two gone now runner at third base and you got Lindsey at the plate who Biddles already struck out twice.
No doubt obviously great.
Great fielding, right there.
Heads up, play get out #2.
Unfortunately, the runner did move from 2nd to 3rd, but nonetheless.
You get 2 outs now and you're one out away from ending this inning.
The one out gets away and that will allow their own to come in to score.
So it was all for not and coming into third to score there for Taylor.
That was McHenry and it is 5 to one.
Unfortunately there for the catcher that ball just ricocheted off and then just wasn't able to get to it.
She went to her right and the ball bounced left and fortunately for Taylor though, another run makes the score 5 to one.
There's that one.
This is again now it's three and oh and Biddle struggling to find the the control here of of lead as she's at 100 pitches.
After that throw there back to the screen.
And you know, that's not what she wants to do after she's already struck out, Lindsay twice.
The three O pitch.
And his ball four and Lindsey draws a free pass on 4 pitches.
Jamie this is tough.
If you're Biddle right now.
Obviously a little discouraged.
Giving up three runs here in the top half of the 5th.
Everybody needs to calm down, get get it out, get out of the inning.
It's 5 to one, but that's tough.
It's tough when.
Team like Taylor's had a beginning like this but you got to stop the bleeding here and betting now.
Is downs is that one gets away from the catcher lines running to move up.
It's wanna know Michaela down she has an RBI double today.
That was in the second, the first run.
Drive it in by either side came from downs.
She could do it again with a runner at second base now and two gone.
Takes a 10 low and and we're seeing now for Biddle, just struggling to find the strength zone.
Yep, two and oh.
She needs to throw it in the zone, maybe get a ground ball out here to end the inning.
Two oh, swung on lifted right centerfield.
Baker coming on.
Can't make the catch that's going to allow a run to score.
It is six to one Taylor on the air by the right fielder.
It's not what you want if you're West side.
A routine flyball just barely tips out of her glove.
That's a tough tough break for West side.
There another run scores and the inning continues.
Which if you're West side, you really, really want to stop stop.
Taylor from continuing to score this ending and breaking this game open.
That was a big swing there in the right field.
If you look at last year big inning for Taylor in the 5th inning last year, that five runs in this 5th inning.
And so as the game goes on, Taylor just seems to get better.
Is for sure, hey, they they've won it four times in a row for a reason.
They're good program trying to make it 5.
As we said earlier, West side won it back at 07.
Trying to make it their second in program history, they got work to do.
There's a strike on the outer edge over too.
Good pitch tack.
The out part outer part of the plate there.
She's now ahead.
She hadn't been able to do that the last few batters.
We'll see if she can get it out here that was found back into the netting and it's Owen two once more.
Ronald first downs reached on the air, flew out to right.
That allowed to run to score.
It was unarmed.
When it's no balls and two strikes.
Fowler lights on the O2 it gets.
A little outside of the zone.
Now it's a ball and two strikes.
Not terrible pitch.
You're up O2.
Don't give her anything that she can smack.
Now you gotta go to work.
Don't attack that zone 1/2 late foul there by Fowler, but she got enough to stay alive and we'll do it again.
Good good job by Fowler.
Staying in there fouling those off.
Live to see another pitch.
This will be the sixth pitch of the about upcoming.
That is something that we've seen with middle pitch count over 100.
Now one ball 2 strikes found back or right here towards us.
And the seventh pitch.
We'll come for Biddle to Fowler, and if you're looking at an 89 hole hitter, Fowler's over 2 struck out and popped up to the first baseman.
But hey, that's what you like to see out of the bottom of the lineup, especially as battle work, the count and they are making Biddle work, especially here in the later innings.
Want to?
That's a great pitch from Bethel and she calls found out looking there with a cult strike three outer edge, but not before.
Taylor puts three spot on the board in the top of the fifth.
They're up five to one and we head to the bottom of the fifth.
Taylor up by 4.
Westside could try to get some runs back.
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Bottom of the fifth we go.
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It'll be the 9 hole hitter for the Eagles.
Molly Parker.
Oh for one with a shrink at her first time up, then we'll head back to the top of the order in Corbiere and Baker's first pitch, Parker swinging, a miss there from Beaufort.
Hey, if you're Beaufort, you're up by 5:00.
It's 6 to one.
What do you want to do here?
Is attack the strike zone.
Don't have to do anything fancy like you said, JB just attacked the zone.
Start with the first out she's ahead, Owen one.
It's a good start to the inning.
As Parker, which on the old one for the freshman Buford at one, is a called strike, and now it's only two on the outer half.
There she got lucky there a lot of times.
Catchers don't catch the ball.
You don't get a called strike, so she got lucky there to get ahead in the count owing 2 now.
So now if you're Parker, you're exactly right.
Definitely gotta protect now that called strike on the drop by the catcher.
Beaufort delivers up and away now, which 22?
They say up and away it was more of just a way than anything.
But it started up and landed outside one ball 2 strikes.
Park are gonna have to protect.
Parker, the sophomore left fielder.
Comes in today, batting.
Right under.
200 looks like 100 yeah.
There's always found back under the netting look again.
Which decimal places on our sheet are off and they're throwing my mind off?
Well, that's and at least you can read I I struggle to do that.
Sometimes I understand.
She's also has a home run and an 11 RBI.
She needs to kick start this spot with the 5th for her West Side Eagles.
They're down by 5.
Want to just upstairs two and two heads a good take?
And how about?
Don't wait up there.
He has been brilliant behind the dish calling balls and strikes Chris Mckellips.
He is not adjusted his own or one bit great take by Parker.
It's a tough one.
Two pitch to take and she sat in there and took it and.
It's captain 2.
2 two pitch.
There's that off speed wow, and I'm gonna tell you right now if you're Parker.
That is an excellent way to fight that off.
She kind of a little half hearted check swing.
Got a piece of it and that is a filthy pitch.
I'm not trying to exaggerate at JB, but every time I see that I kind of get it.
To go from something that fast to something that slow.
That is remarkable that she tipped it.
Well, yeah, it just plays very batting plays, tricks on your minds is it's found off once again, and you know, here's the thing with Buford.
Whites been so effective.
Is she just?
She hasn't abused it all game she's just picked it out what she's needed to.
We've only seen it a handful of times, but it has been extremely effective.
Every time she's thrown it, you're exactly right.
But Parker, in a battle here when she needs to, if Buford would, would were to return the last nine batters could be Parker's demands and needs to make the most of it.
Trying to keep things going too too boy.
Oh boy inside pitch.
Just missed the zone, now it's full.
3 balls and two strikes.
2 Parker.
The left fielder for this West side Eagle team down by 5 gotta get something going here in the bottom of the fifth.
Gotta chip away this five run lead and the three two fouled off right side again.
Parker and Buford are in a battle and who's going to win it?
Soccer crowds starting to sprinkle in here for.
Their first games of the day.
It's a great atmosphere.
Down here in Benton this weekend.
Payoff pitch once more.
There's that slow pitch chopped foul outside third, hey Parker.
Saw for the second time, was able to at least make that one look a little bit more.
Effective, she pops it found down the line, but you're right, I mean, just seeing that the the facilities here at been high school it is remarkable this is.
This is very, very nice, no doubt and it's really neat to have all these games at one spot within walking distance you can walk to the baseball game.
After this you can walk over to soccer game.
It's a great location.
3/2 Buford wins the battle and Parker fought hard, but ends up striking out nothing to hang your head on there, and there's one going on in the bottom of the fifth.
West side now go to the top of the line up.
See if like we said they can't start chipping away at some of these runs they're gonna have to if they want to try to get back in this one.
You know, as you saw there, Parker swinging a miss and you kind of saw her face defeated.
She knew she was late and she was swinging, but I tell you there's nothing to hang your head and like I said, I mean it's just a tough battle.
The first pitcher has that soft off speed ripped to right field by the top of the overpair, and there's a single with one going to the bottom of the fifth.
That's the first hitter we've seen do something against that slow pitch there from Beaufort that pitch was in inside up in the zone and she just waited on it and hit it to the right.
So great piece of hitting there.
Like you said, patience, patience.
She sat in there and waited on that pitch.
I'm the most impatient person in the world.
Don't think I could have done it, but she sat in there and waited on it and got a hit.
Well, I'll tell you, especially as a hitter.
That's really tough too.
West side trying to make back to back singles and they will Baker lines in the center.
The center fielder Dove and missed it.
They're going to wave corbiere the third.
The throws not in time, and then Baker moves to 2nd on the throw.
Great plays there a that's what West side needed.
They needed a great hit, needed an extra base hit which they got.
Taylor, great job by the centerfielder.
Getting it in a Bang Bang play at third base as we'll see right here.
I'm sorry the right fielder through it in but a great play.
A great throw.
Look how strong that throw is.
Golly right on the mark but a huge play for West side to get 2 runners in scoring position with only one out.
You got your 3 hole hitter Mandy Smith up.
We'll see if they can't get like we said.
Chip away at these runs see if they can get these two runners in scoring position across home exactly right as Smith butts out with four.
You don't have to get them all.
Right here, just gotta tip away.
And by the way, that was ruled as single and then obviously Maker moved to 2nd on the throw to third base.
So grew up in Minnesota Twins fan and we just call it small ball.
Don't try to don't try to swing for the fence here.
Don't try to you know don't try to hit a three run home run here, just get a base hit and let's get two runs.
Maybe three runs and narrow.
This lead balls one strike now to Smith they'll want hit softly to second in the air.
That's not going to try to flip to second they did get the double play and that.
Is a four six land out double play to end the threat?
Taylor is out of the inning.
And they will go to the top of the sixth inning with a 6 to 1 lead after the double Play Ball Boy, we got a good one.
A lot of close closes here is Taylor Buford has been absolutely dominant.
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You've got days where things go your way.
You've got days when they don't and that last play right there for West side that's tough just a Bang Bang play a double play when you had runners at 3rd and 2nd that unfortunately just didn't go your way and so that's tough you got to figure out a way when things aren't going your way in a day to to overcome those and so we'll see if Westside can overcome the those here in the next two innings to try.
Like we said chip away tie this ball game maybe take the lead and one way to do that is fill up the strike zone and that's what.
3rd McClellan, the 9 hole hitter who is over 1 today with the walk in a strike out.
Ohh, one pitch messes up and away.
One ball, one strike and you know you're right.
The only problem is times against you.
I say time, it's more of how many outs you got.
You only got 6 left.
Gonna have to make some noise in the last two innings but you also got to keep Taylor off the board.
Is that one swung on and missed there by McClellan?
And it's a ball and two strikes.
Great pitch from middle there outside the zone.
She made McClellan reached for it swinging a miss.
One ball 2 strikes in the top of the sixth inning.
Taylor's up 6 to one, and there's a foul back into the screen.
And we'll do it once more with the same count.
Good pitch by Biddle.
Heading the count.
See what McLellan does here?
The one to count, you know in West that really played deeper there.
They're outside trying to play no double s defense.
Really trying to keep things from getting into the game and was found back again on the two.
And that's what they had all day, all day long.
I mean they played deep there in the outfield to to some degree.
It's helped a lot.
They made some nice catches, but then there's been some balls have been just absolutely blasted by the tailor bats and no way to go get him.
What 2 swinging in a mess there from McClelland?
Battle gets to strike out and that's the first out of this 6th inning Biddle done.
A really good job.
She's got 9 strikeouts on the day.
That's exactly right.
Nine strikeouts on about 113 pitches.
She'll face now the top of the lineup for Taylor.
In the first pitch to Carly Downs, who has been a good one, a huge factor in there.
Six one leads.
She's two for three with a couple of double s. One was a double back in that second inning.
Drove it around to make it two to nothing, and that one ripped the left centerfield.
She's trying to make it three double s. Thompson 's got it in center.
The throw to second it's late downs with three double s here in the state title game, and she's trying to lead her team to victory.
She had four hits last year.
She's got three hits so far this year.
That's why she.
That's laid off great piece of hitting now.
Three times in a row.
3 double s. Great job by Carly Downs.
And if you're middle there you saw that was a fastball on the bottom outer half of the plate downs goes down and gets it and rips it into the gap.
First pitch to the two hole hitters that called strike to Buford.
That's the pitcher for the Taylor taggers.
She's over 2 two strike outs, could barely see her running back there, but that's just how on top of their game.
Taylor is right there.
I'll after the pitch.
Nobody's covering second base and downs.
Halfway between second and third, just like she is right now, making West side.
Always think about her well and as we've seen, there's been a couple of errors as well.
Taylor's done that they forced some bad throws and some missed cues, and they've capitalized on it.
6 to 102 pets swing and a mess there from Beaufort.
She goes down swinging for the third time this morning, and there are two gone now.
For the three hole hitter, Heidi May.
Amazon for two today.
She's walked, grabbed that too short and she's also reached on a fielder's choice.
And the first pitch is stepping away.
They're trying to get downs and a run down, and she will take third base.
She is so smart.
This whole time she's been waiting for that opportunity like we talked about.
It's kind of hard to see from our angle that we have, but every pitch she was about where the shortstop is just waiting to see what the pitcher and catcher were going to do and when she could take third and she finally got it right with that ball was thrown.
She committed, but there's a pop up on the infield that could get him out of the inning harness coming in battling.
That's the shortstop.
That sneaks over Corbier and makes a very difficult catch to retire the side.
So Taylor comes up empty in the top of the sixth, but Taylor, there's six outs away from another state title.
We go to the home half of the six, it's getting late.
Here in the early morning in Benton 6 to 1 Taylor leads it.
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Bottom of the sixth.
It's 4586 for the Eagles looking at Biddle Courtney Finch and Kendra Harness Alyssa Smith bats.
If anybody reaches in.
Boy, if you're gonna come back at it, you gotta start doing it.
Now that's exactly right.
We talked about it last inning, chipping away.
See if they can do it.
Beaufort starts off and she makes it difficult with a low strike in the zone.
Owen.
One Beaufort, 74 pitches, 5 strikeouts.
Two walks.
She's giving up four hits.
In five innings of work.
And it's going on now to the Eagles pitcher.
Her team trailing 6 to 1 Beaufort with a pitch swinging a drive to center field that Ball's trouble at the track hits off the wall, rounding first.
Heading for second is Biddle Leonard in the gun it into second, but that's a stand up two bagger for the cleanup hitter for the Eagles, and that's a good way to start.
The senior just exploded on that one.
Hit it all the way to the warning track.
She's got a runner in scoring position now for the Eagles with no outs and Courtney Finch will come in to try to do a job.
She's over too.
Looks like we've got a courtesy runner.
Katie Davis, who we saw run earlier for West side.
She got tagged out at short.
Hopefully she learned from that because Westside really can't cannot.
Have anymore errors on the base path they need runs.
There's no room for mistakes.
You're exactly right.
Is that what misses down in defense?
Wanna know you know this has been a great great match up.
We talked about this the third state final in softball that we've seen.
Midville took off Cabot in the nightcap yesterday and then Tuckerman went home with back to back state champions.
Or championships part me over each pointset county they won that one six to two in the midday game.
Auto defense here is Anthony fought off to the right side, one on one the count.
Team hitting for West side.
They're five of 2250 batting average on the day they struck out five times.
Earned two walks.
Well, I would venture to say they're gonna have to up that average and have a chance at one of this one.
One ball, one strike found at the plate there for by Finch, and now it's one and two.
Taylor, they are obviously on a on a tear, as is West side.
Both teams on big winning streaks.
14 for Taylor 11 game winning streak for West Side View for early Beaufort earlier of the year.
She was a walk away from throwing 3 perfect games within one week.
As a freshman.
Here's another stat that hurts you.
If your West side oh for seven with runners in scoring position and we've seen them leave them at second.
We've seen them leave a handful at 3rd and that that's a that's a hard start to overcome Finch with a 12 battling and she finds it back, we'll do it again.
And that's that's kind of, you know what you look at is the game gets a little bit later.
You think, man, that might be what's the difference in the game.
So if your West side you really got opportunities.
Right now there's a scoring position runner in scoring position now, and Finch needs to make that one for 8:00 today for the team.
Want to off speed and Beaufort?
Pulls the string and gets the swinging against there from Finch.
That is a tough pitch to handle.
Great pitch.
From Buford, she's gone in her bag of tricks a couple of times with that pitch and that would pay it off big you forget about it, you know she pitches, she pitches, she pitches and then all of a sudden she throws that off speed and you know that's just a tough pitch.
If you're finished there to to try to hit and another strikeout for middle excuse me Beaufort.
His honor steps in and takes it down and Biddle is out there while she was out there.
She double lead off anybody.
Davis Curtis runner over at second now one gone oh pitch now to to harness who's old for one today with the strike out and a walk.
And Westside only got 5 outs, which work now.
Five out, so they need five runs to tie it 10.
Swinging a loop in the right field, but it is right to the right fielder.
Fowler makes the catch and Davis has to retreat to second base.
Now there's two away.
And if there's anything we could speak on, it has been how good.
That a La Beaufort has been in the circle for the Tigers.
She's been as advertised.
Ohh, there's no doubt.
I mean, you know we talked about it earlier, but it's been around.
Softball, played softball, growing up her first year.
There's a Taylor tiger, but has really showed out today only giving up one run.
There's there's a so I'm gonna miss their ball gets away from the catcher and that will allow Davis to move up to third base.
Is Smith waved to missed 11.
Beaufort's pitch 5 and 2/3 innings only giving up five hits, one run.
It wasn't even earned.
Two walks in six strike counts.
Just give it up a double and a triple.
But she has limited the damage and she's only giving up one run.
Like I said, it wasn't even earned.
Ohh and Wanda Smith with two outs, swinging a little looper to the second basement.
Mcclellan's top throw to 1st.
It's Bang Bang but Taylor gets the out and they are out of the inning unscathed.
They're three outs away from a win.
They'll come to bat though in the top of the 7th 6 to 1 Taylor leading it and the one a state softball final here on Arkansas PBS boards.
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Now, as we head to the top of the 7th inning, Taylor's up 6 to one trying to add to it in the first pitch, swung on popped up foul down the left field line there that'll play by the cleanup hitter Lauren Leonard.
Leonard, she's got a devil.
She's also struck out looking at a walk, so one for two today, but she has an RBI and she also hit a home run but hit it foul a little bit earlier in the day.
As that was hit a Mile High to right field, that could be trouble.
No one's gonna get to it and it cams away from the right fielder.
Baker, that's gonna be a stand up double.
They try to throw behind her in second, but she's in with the devil.
Could really see the wind effect.
That one right fielder thought it was going to carry out too and that wind just pushed it right back in.
It ended up only going about four to five feet past the infield.
And you're exactly right there.
Second baseman really didn't have a good play on it, right?
Phillips Point so deep it's just a tough play.
5 hitter, Maggie McHenry, the first baseman, comes in now one for 2:00 today.
The first pitch is low in.
Near the ground there one ball of strikes.
So this innings began with Leonard with the Devil, the seventh hit for the Tigers, 10 that was blistered tilapia, left, field are going.
It's overhead.
That's gonna go to the wall and that'll bring in another arm for Taylor is a put one more on the board.
Leonard comes in to score on the RBI double for McHenry and Taylor up by 6 now they're feeling it.
You know, tough play there.
You first move.
Visit outfielders.
Always got to be back first.
And then adjust.
Unfortunately, Parkers was up and then tried to adjust back and that's just a hard play to make.
It's hard to hard to backpedal and and make that play as that screen right overhead.
A liner really in a double for Taylor.
Lindsay puts a **** down in front of the pitch.
Is going to be a tough play.
It'll be close and they didn't get her.
That is a box single there from Lindsay and Taylor's not done yet.
Now should take second base.
Aggressive baserunning we've seen in all day.
From Taylor that there there's so.
We've seen him be so aggressive and every player knows their role right there.
Third, base.
McHenry knew what she had to do to distract the pitcher and then obviously Lindsay gets to 2nd on the distraction.
Now there's two in scoring position for Michaela Downs, who already has an RBI double today and takes out with low.
She drove in the games first drawn back at the time of the second.
That's when Taylor got to the Lone Eagles run came that bind with the.
On a 3 unassisted ground up by Alyssa Smith, is that what messes up the way two and oh Taylor got four more in the fifth that made it 6 to one and they added one more in this 7th.
Lone the double by McHenry.
It's two noted downs now swing chopper to 3rd.
That's through the hole at shore.
That'll score one they'll wave home.
Lindsay and the ball gets away from the 3rd baseman.
2 come in to score.
That's a single A2 run single for down.
She moves to 2nd on the throw and now Taylor's up.
9 to one.
Yeah, they're going to come and and he's gonna try to calm everybody down again.
Obviously just some tough breaks for West side here in the top half of the 7th is we've seen Taylor score two more and honestly.
Really makes this difficult for Westside.
If you're going to try to do something in the bottom half of the 7th with only three outs left, Taylor just so aggressive such well coached team.
Obviously the expectations have been set in Taylor of of what softball looks like.
We've seen it today.
Just the experience of even from the freshmen.
And that's the crazy thing JB is.
It hasn't just been from the seniors.
Every person who steps out there knows their role knows in certain situations what they're supposed to do, and that's why they scored.
Runs whether it be moving runners over, whether it be at bats, whether it be pitching, they know their roles.
They're the first pitch here.
2 Fowler, Mississippi.
The way after the meeting.
And that's a good point.
I mean, there's a reason both these teams are here.
They've got both.
Both sides have players one through nine that can absolutely play it from both sides offensive and defensively as ankles swelling to miss.
But today it's been Taylor's night, or this wow, not night.
It's been there.
Morning slash.
Not quite to the Australian with the time of day right now.
I didn't stay away for that.
Don't we?
Don't play too many early games so it is difficult.
The win JB, I don't know if anyone can see it on our camera deck out in center field.
They've got some umbrellas and it has.
Turn the umbrella inside out out there so it is really healing.
There's a swinging the miss there from Fowler.
Begs strike out there from bed or there's one gone, but I'll tell you what it 9 to one for those of you if you're just now joining us this 9 to 1 scores, we look at the umbrella out there at the way he's trying to hold and keep it from falling.
They got their hands full out there I give a give a hand for all I know Jamie is there if it starts to take off let go.
Don't don't, you know.
Is that what?
This is now.
It's one of them.
I'll tell you, you know just what I was gonna mention about this game.
If you're just now joining us, that's not the worst one scores this evening.
It's been a close game throughout, unfortunately just seems like Taylor's etching away and trying to put this one to bed.
Is that what messes up and away?
Taylor scored two in the second, four in the 5th and now three so far in the 7th West side.
Long run came in the second inning.
They could have gotten a little bit more on that thing, but also in the third they had runners at second and third one out.
Unable to push anything across.
So West side has had their chances, but you mentioned earlier runners in scoring position the average has not been good and that has what has come back to.
Be the difference in this one, as middles thrown six in the third innings, giving up ten hits, nine runs, eight of them earned six walks, 11 strikeouts, 7 extra base hits, all of them double s. And there's a strike there, three and one.
There's Maddie McClellan waits 314 straight back.
We'll have a full count.
Taylor is a team batting 345 on the day.
Tim hits 29 at bats.
I've struck out 11 times and that's a testament to Biddle.
She has really caught this Taylor team a few times.
11 K's so far today.
Well, you know we talked about before being a freshman and being electric middle with this payoff.
Pitch gets a little soft butter up the middle.
That's a catch by the shortstop.
She's going to devil off.
That's a double ply 6 and assisted on heck of a plane from Corbiere to get West side out of the inning.
I'll talk a little bit about about Biddle when we come back, but even more so.
West side.
They're down to their final three out of the season down 9 to 1.
They're going to need a lot, and as we head to the home, half of the 7th you're watching the Centennial Bank State Softball championships in Arkansas.
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Bottom of the seventh Taylor.
3 outs away from their 5th consecutive state title.
Talked a little bit about Biddle though.
We were looking at earlier.
She's pitched well, just unfortunately Domino's haven't fallen in her favor.
It's committed to play at UA Rich Mountain next year.
And like you said, quality starts 11 strikeouts on the day.
Just a great outing for her.
She did it on both sides.
She pitched, she hit very well for West side.
We'll see if Westside can't get something going here in the bottom half of the 7th.
No one pitched 2 Thompson and the off speed catches the other half.
Recall strike two and Beaufort is ahead.
O and two, the 8 hole hitter for the Eagles.
Thompson's already over one day walked in, grounded out back to the pitcher, Junior to protect the plate here with no balls and two strikes.
In that tell you Taylor there are three outs away up by 8 just trying to close it out.
O2 from Buford that would miss his up for the way not close one and two down.
Taylor stayed composed all game with only two errors, giving up five hits.
See if they can finish it out here in the bottom half of the 7th.
Good news for Taylor is you got Beaufort.
Hopefully at least three years in antis called strike three in her half.
Thompson caught looking, and that's the first half.
Of the bottom of the seventh, the West side down to their final two out of the season.
That's a tough pitch.
It's a tough pitch to to to swing and or to hit rather and following inside.
Nonetheless, though you gotta try to get the ball in play.
If you're West side and and and that didn't, that didn't happen that time.
So Lolly Parker stands in trying to keep things rolling as that when misses inside one.
I know when I say keep things rolling, what I really mean is get things going.
They're down 9 to one.
It really just seems like they haven't really kind of hit that that.
That surge that they've needed to kind of get the bats going.
Well, like we said, they've laughed 10 runners on in scoring position.
And that hurts.
That hurts when you we've seen him at second and third, like we've talked about and just not able to hit him home.
And then some some base running errors, some double plays with a base runner left too early, and so that that that hurts.
If your West side makes it difficult to come back in against a really good tailor team, one one pitch there is that one that slow off speed hit, but it goes right down Broadway and Parker's down to the count of all two strikes.
He's trying to keep from striking out for all three.
You know, after that pitch just saw Beaufort's mouth.
She's having a lot of fun out there.
First State championship and when you throw a pitch like that, it's easy to have fun because that is nasty and really hard to hit.
So I guess from the cat gets away from the catcher.
Now it's two and two, and what tell you you know this this tailored team?
They they're good.
West side is good as well, and the score obviously doesn't indicate kind of how the games been.
We talked about that and it's really been close you you really take away that top of the 7th.
It's a six one game and even before that it just feels like it's been close all throughout.
Taylor, they're feeling and they're two outs away from 1/5 consecutive state title.
22 nearly hit Parker there.
She gets out of the way and she works her second full count against Beaufort, Parker.
2 strikeouts on the day.
You can try to.
Keep get something going here in the bottom half of the 7th, but I'll tell you her strikeouts have been deceiving she had.
She battled up against Beaufort.
Her last and bat and the three two count and just gave it all she had before trying to strike her out.
This time it didn't do it.
Hey, that's a great way to do it if you're going to come back.
You gotta have baserunners in Parker.
Works the full count walk.
What an it back for Lolly Parker.
She said a few of them like you said JB and you're down to two hours.
You gotta have him now and she delivers with a good eye there and she walks down to 1st and West sides.
The runner on that's a case for Parker and she's seen done that every single at bat.
Not chasing pitches when she swings itself.
It's in the strike zone and she with a great eye there wants to go top of the older copier weights.
It takes the first pitch out of the way.
Go pier 143.
Today grounded out to 3rd grader that to short, but she's also singled.
And with the one out count, she's just trying to keep.
Her Eagles season alive.
One O pitch swinging a shot found down the left field line or part of the left field line.
It should say left field over the third base dugout and foul.
Counts 101 now.
Baker whites on deck and then Mandy Smith would bat if either of those two can reach.
If you're watching, you obviously love to get to Biddle, but you didn't get a lot more than that to come back in this 111.
Swinging a miss a chase pitch there from copier and now it's one and two team hitting summary for Westside 5 of 24208 average.
They've walked three times, struck out seven.
That's really been the difference.
Talk about the you know.
Taylor's got five more hits.
Then West side.
West side also had one more air.
The 1/2 misses outside two and two and did something that you mentioned a little bit earlier as well.
The runners in scoring position Taylor's 513 hitting 385 West side.
It's a it's a number you're going to look like.
Look at if you're.
Head coach Jeff Smith and you see you're over 10 with runners in scoring position.
That just makes it really tough to win.
Two to the copier tapped, tap slowly.
The third nice play there by May throw.
The first is on the money and now Taylor is one out away from closing this out and winning another state title would be the first to review for the freshman.
But Taylor, trying to make it five in a row, great play by May.
They're charged the ball field it cleanly as we rush to see right here and then throw on the first base for out #2 like you say exciting is the Taylor fans get on their feet.
They're one out away from A5.
Peat JB.
It is hard enough to win one state championship.
Some teams never do.
Some coaches never do to win five in a row 8.
All time is is wild and quite the accomplishment as we see that pitch again.
Beautiful day.
One way to just kind of put Alex Exclamation mark on this is she comes out first pitch with that off speed and it's own one to Lacey Baker who is 2 for three today.
A triple in a single.
It's been Baker and dental with two hits apiece.
They have four of the five and they are down to their final out old one to banker that what's outside an Evans account as the Taylor faithful come to their feet here in the Benton.
Arkansas on the campus event in high school.
One in one second base runner over that way is Holly Parker.
The one one the Baker.
That one gets away from the catcher.
Parker's gonna move up to third base now and it's 2 balls and a strike but West side is down to their final out of the season and the last hope there's Lacey Baker with the two one.
Count Taylor is a unique school.
I don't know if you know the savvy, they're part of a school district that has three high schools.
Emerson Taylor, Bradley interesting 3 high schools, some sports.
They all come together and play at one because they don't have enough students so unique to have 3 high schools but very small at the same time.
The two one pitch is a swinging a miss.
By Baker and now the Eagles are down to their final strike of the season, and Taylor is a strike away from winning five straight state titles.
If you're Lindsay there, don't worry about the runner, you're up 9 to one.
Let's just focus on the battery 22 count.
You're right, let's go hold the trophy.
Two and two two outs, runner at third.
Taylor feeling it Beaufort, trying to put it away to Baker.
The pitch swing enemies Taylor wins in with Beaufort striking out what is she doing?
All she pulled the strings she throws the off speed that slow curb and just like that Taylor's won five in a row and it's tough if you're West side you gave it all you had but Taylor wins it 9 to one for five in a row.
Boy you gotta take your gap to Beaufort she played.
One heck of a ball game today Westside comes short, but Taylor wins it 9 to one boy, I tell you, Jake, you look at this as they meet there right outside the circle with the Tigers have won it for five straight and what you got to look at is Beauforts performance.
Only giving up a run.
It wasn't even earned.
She was dominant.
Here's her stat line.
7 innings, five hits.
She gave up one run, three walks, 8 strikeouts.
What a performance from the freshman.
She told me earlier before the game.
She was a manager last year as an eighth grader.
So excited to get to playing her first game, she comes in and pitches an amazing game for the 91 win one things for certain for the freshman nerves were not a factor.
She put those away early and she put West side away to win at 9 to one.
Let's talk about this.
We've talked about pitching a lot today.
Let's talk about hitting Carly Downs, three hits, Leonard two hits, McHenry, two hits, Lindsay, one hit downs, two hits, ten hits for.
The Tigers you gotta hit it if you're gonna get nine runs and they did it today.
And Michaela Downs like you, said three RBI's she capped off the offense for the Tigers as they went at 9 to one little break.
Come back we'll have the wrapping up of the 1A state Championship Softball Centennial Bank state championship softball on Arkansas PBS sports be right back.
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We're going.
Welcome back, it's a bit in high school in the wake of Taylor Tigers 9 to one went over West side as they claimed their 5th state title in consecutive years I guess not consecutive because 2020 wasn't played, but my goodness Taylor with a dominant performance.
Today we talked about as they present the state championship.
To the Tigers as we welcome you back into the booth, JB Brazil alongside me and Derek Walter.
What a fun day of softball here early.
Great way to start this after this game of this day of game.
Pardon me, you talked about it.
A 91 score looks lopsided.
It wasn't though, right?
Two two runs in the second inning.
4 in the five three in the seven.
A great softball game there till the very end.
It got out of hand.
Taylor ends the year 22 and two West side 22 and four great seasons.
Of both schools like you said, talked about the championships for Taylor.
What a historic program.
Down in Taylor we we mentioned it once.
This is Coach's first win as a head coach here at Taylor.
She's continued on.
She talked about how nervous she was before the game coming in after a four peat.
Now she adds to the five peat just a great performance overall from her team.
Taylor with an accident.
Excellent win obviously leading leading the charge was Beaufort in the circle, but the offense we talked about as well.
Bailey wins five straight.
If you're West side, nothing to hang your head on again as well, you ran into a really good tailored team.
Things didn't quite go their way with runners in scoring position, and Taylor edged him out with a 9 to one win.
I will say for both of these teams, there's a lot to look forward to Taylor, especially with a freshman pitcher.
But even Westside, a lot of underclassmen for both sides.
These two teams are going to be good in the coming years as well.
A lot to look forward to there now.
We talked about earlier, underclassmen for both teams, exciting future for both of them.
The NVP obviously went to Buford.
I'm on a great performance today.
Again, her final line, 7 innings pitched.
Five hits, one run, no errors or no earned runs.
Part of me three walks and eight strikeouts.
The next game is the one a baseball finals.
Name Vista and Taylor Taylor baseball trying to win one as well as their softball team just won moments ago 9 to one over West side and that game will be slated to start at 1:00 PM.
So be sure to tune in for that, but that's gonna do it for us here in Benton, for my partner Derek Walter.
I'm JB Brazil saying so long here where Taylor took care of business, they win their fifth straight state title as they knocked off West Side 91 and I've been watching the Centennial Bank who won a state softball final on Arkansas PBS Sports so long.
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