Good afternoon softball fans and welcome to Bitten Arkansas and the Bitten Athletic complex for today's 3A Centennial Bank State Championship game and gave five of six on the week.

We will see the Atkins Red Devils and the Ashdown Panthers.

Welcome to broadcast with everybody.

For a great pitching door here in this game between Ashdown and well, I'll tell you what, not only two sophomores.

That's what's impressive about these squads, so you got Levy may here.

With Atkins, she's picked 151 innings.

She's got a 20 and five record and an ERA of 199.

And then on the other side, you've got Madison Cook.

She's also a sophomore ERA of 178.

She's got 125 strikeouts.

And a record of eight in one.

So you're exactly right, Derek.

This is going to be a a pitchers duel, but as we talked to both coaches before the game, they they expect not only to have some good good performance inside the circle, but also defensively as well.

Ashton comes in at 24 and five Atkins 20 and eight.

We talked to both coaches before the game, Eric, both of them alluded to the fact that they are very young.

Atkins, one senior on the team.

She does not start.

Same deal with Ashdown couple seniors.

They do not start.

What do you think about this young team for both sides?

Well, two things about it.

There's not one that's going to experience the other one and and again when we talk about young in the game of softball, they play year round, so it's not like the.

The only difference that experience makes right now is to be in this setting to be here at the state championship game.

But as we talked to those coaches, two different teams here.

We got a very.

Good hitting Atkins squad and he said he's not gonna play much of the short game.

Got a lot of power over there and then.

Also.

On the flip side over here with Ashdown they like to rely on that speed and so be interested to see how these two match up.

Lots of speed total opposite.

I think we're going to get small from Ashdown like you said a little more big ball from the Red Devils.

Let's recap this week's first game with Tucker and East Point set.

County Tuckerman won six to two Bentonville beat Cabbott 3 to 1.

Taylor beat West side 9 to one.

Valley View last night in a really good softball game.

Meat Nashville 2 to one and now we are ready for Ashdown against Atkins.

Ashdown will take the field first.

Let's take a look at their defense in left field.

We have perennis in center field jayla Richards in right field.

We will see Coleman in the infield.

The first baseman is Alexander.

The second baseman will be Williams.

The shortstop will be Forbes.

The third baseman will be Walker.

Kylie Irwin will do the catching for Ashdown.

And a starting pitcher like you talked about Eric earlier is Madison Cook, Cook taking her warm up pitches.

We are almost ready for a great game of softball here.

Wind will be a factor today.

Eric.

The wind will be a factor as we were down there while ago.

It's a little hot on that turf as well, so a lot of things that could contribute to Either's team success or in some situations some of the downfall.

But I really look forward this to be a defensive battle on this side.

With some good pitching here from Cook, and then also this squad that she's got behind her that has followed her up all year, we've seen some great games.

A lot of them have come down to errors, though.

Whatever team cannot commit errors on the field not give up extra base hits, has won the ball game and we'll see tonight this afternoon if that.

If that is the case as well.

Looks up looks like 4 Atkins.

Kristen Flory will be the first one up.

She'll try to get something started here.

For Atkins.

First pitch is Mrs High for ball one and four relates the team with eight home runs and we saw that last night in that car night before last in that cabbage game where their leadoff picture and the batter and their picture LED them and she hit one in the game.

So she's got aid and good and has seven for the squad.

May excuse me cook falling behind two and oh here to start the game.

Outfield playing normal depth infield normal as well as the two O pitch.

That pitcher misses for high little offspeed pitch.

Up in the zone.

Says home plate umpire.

Corby, Davidson.

And both coaches made mentioned that they don't want any extra house and definitely no free walks.

So they start off with one right there, Derek.

Christian Flory draws a four pitch walk.

She'll be our first base runner of the day, Atkins, off to a good start runner on 1st no outs and we'll see.

Libby may up now.

Picture gets picture here dirt.

May betting 400 on the year she steps in and takes strike one.

Good pitch from Cook there to get her first strike in the day.

She'll try to retire.

Atkins pitcher good pitch, a swing and a miss there for strike two.

So unlike the first batter Madison cook able to deal quickly and get ahead.

Owen too.

One thing we talked about yesterday, attacking the zone.

Both pitchers will need to do that today.

A little blooper in the right field, and that's a base hit.

It's a great job of moving the base runners around a good job of fighting that pitch off.

You got to be up there.

You gotta be a great two strike hitter.

And that's exactly what May was.

And she fought it off and just happened to find the perfect place between first and second base.

Florida gets a four pitch walk.

May gets behind Owen two and slaps one into right field so runners on 1st and 2nd floor yet 2nd May at first.

And it looks like now, Addison Flory, the right fielder will step in for Atkins and Addison.

Try to get something going with a runner in scoring position here and no outs for the Red Devils as we talked to Coach Porter before the game and Atkins, he said they're not going to run a lot so they're going to rely on this offense and movies runners around.

But pitch misses.

Up and away for ball one.

Addison florey the right fielder batting 326 on the year.

She'll take ball 2.

Addison's 7 double s 24 singles on the year.

She'll try to add to this statistic right here 23 RBI's as that one filed off into the screen and that's something we saw early on.

Thursday is a lot of these batters up here getting their timing right, especially on this first first round and we saw a lot of foul balls Thursday.

It's a great point.

We talked about this in yesterday's broadcast as well.

It seems like as we go on through the game, the batters you know really get an eye on the pitcher.

And definitely the averages went up as the day went on.

Is that one's fouled off into the screen.

And unlike baseball and softball to kind of stick with who got him here, so you know, if you look at this though, we'll probably see, Cook and Libby.

May the majority of the day for both of these squads.

Forey takes up.

For Ball 3 counts full.

Once again, Florian 2nd.

Crawford came in to run.

She's on first base for the pitcher.

May the three two pitch.

Fouled off a good battle here between Madison Cook.

And Addison Flory, the right fielder, which you look at this crowd there.

Can you just kind of see the purple and red split right down the middle?

So it's amazing how they they get to their side of the dugout, exactly.

The three twos swing and a miss and Madison Cook has her first strike out of the day.

A great off speed pitch on the outer half of the plate.

And that's out.

Number one for Ashdown, a big out with runners on 1st and 2nd.

You got to start with the player up at the bat and that's what they did.

You get that 3 hole hitter on the strike out, and that means a lot and builds a confidence up a little bit.

For cook here in the circle a great out of the zone pitch there.

McKinley Kaufman up.

Excuse me, Lexi, good enough.

Good as the center fielder.

She's ahead in the count one and oh.

That's a strike across the plate.

Gooden's 295 hitter.

She is the power hitter for Atkins seven home runs on the year.

She takes a big cut there for strike two.

And again you'd like to find a gap right here, and we would think we would get at least one run in.

But let's move these base runners around so.

That one popped up the catcher.

Are we will look at into the screen that'll keep the count at one and two.

At the defense here on the corners, playing a little in 14 pitches for Cook right now.

One walk, one strike out.

Very effective.

Against Florida batter ago.

The one too by Mrs inside and low.

Even to count it too good job by the catcher there for Ashdown and keeping the ball in front of her.

I think about it I don't think they have to.

This battery has to worry about these runners on base.

They can be don't occupy themselves.

Who's out there?

Just throw balls.

Just throw strikes.

Strike three called.

Looks like that's two big strikeouts there for Cook.

You're exactly right.

Madison Cook 2 strikeouts in this inning for two outs.

Just when Atkins looked like they were about to do something, runners on 1st and 2nd, no outs.

Madison Cook says hey, not so fast.

She strikes two out and we've got Atkins down to their last out here in the top half of the 1st at pinch a swing and a miss.

A big swing from McKinley Coffman McKinley is the shortstop for this Atkins team.

Another one of these sophomores.

Now Coach did talk about it when it comes to wheels.

She is definitely the speech.

On the team, that's exactly right.

About four and Alexander and Irwin both made a effort at it falls foul Owen 2.

Like you talked about Eric.

Coach Porter said not real fast, right?

It's not our strength.

Our strength is hitting but.

Kaufman here does have some speed.

She could come and play here you you'd think they just want to get it to either base, but maybe third or second might be the best options.

That ball misses one thing.

Cook has gotten better at in this inning.

Sara.

Four pitch walk to start the game and since then she's been throwing strikes attacking that zone.

Now with two outs.

Well and good and you know she kind of has the reputation of being one of the best power hitters in this conference.

And then in this division so to be able to get the three hole in the four hole at the plate and to keep these runners right here has been a big accomplishment for Cook.

The short stop hits it and it is caught in foul territory by the catcher.

Kylie Irwin Atkins strands too.

We're gonna go ahead to the bottom half of the first the score is 00.

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Eric, that is very handy this week when we were preparing, we had some some teams that were here last year and it was really cool to be able to go to.

PBS's YouTube page there and and watch some of those games and and look back at the teams did good.

Maybe what they struggled with to help us prepare for this game is ball thrown down the 2nd and we're going to start the bottom half of the first inning and then you got somewhat youth out here right now that a lot of these players are repeats.

So that's what we, Solomon Tuckerman game and possibly we'll see this again next year with this one of these two teams making a repeat visit.

From Addison cook.

First didn't get behind and then two good strikeouts.

She got herself out of the inning with zero runs.

We'll see Ashtown come to the plate their first time.

Alexander, the first baseman, takes ball one.

Alexander 298 hitter.

She's had 104 at bats.

For Ashdown, as she slaps that one foul to bring the count to 1 and one just opposite of what we talked about, when we when we talked about Atkins and speed, this astronaut squad has some speed, so look for him to lay some bunch down, maybe slap it around a little bit.

Just get some base runners in there.

We talked about the battle between pitching for the first time.

We're going to see Libby may and see how she battles against this good Ashdown lineup.

Why don't we talk?

We talking to coach border about Libya's maize pitching tackle box.

She's got quite a few of them.

He didn't even want to list them all.

There were so many said yeah and so all the way down the list and.

May behind in the Count 3 to one.

Following May, they, even when May, goes to pitching lessons.

She catches her so.

The relationship here is pretty stout.

And just like the top half of the inning, we've got a. Leadoff walk slash down will have.

The left fielder number Alexander on 1st PEREDES.

The left fielder will come up to bat.

He's batting 3:30 for the year 103 at bats.

See a lot of singles on this Ashdown team.

Derek and I think it's just because of the speed.

First pitch bunnett foul.

Like you talked about the speed, I think we're gonna see a lot of bunts today Eric for this Ashdown team.

Just moving around make this Atkins squad play some defense.

The defense side you got to catch it.

You got to make a great throw and then your other partner needs to catch it.

I think we're fighting a bug or a a wasp or something.

I don't know what it was.

It wouldn't go in with that bat bat in her hand.

She hits the loss, but hopefully she'll get a hit now the old one and that's outside in the turf.

Then it will go down to first sliding in the second is Alexander and she is safe.

So runner in scoring position now for Ashdown.

Great Hustle is Alexander down to second base.

Like we talked about, Paredes will come in now with a. Runner in scoring position in a 11 count.

We'll see the replay there.

Slip the outside of the bag.

They're almost slid past it there.

A line drive to the third baseman Harris.

She throws to the shortstop Coffman.

He gets the lead runner at third base.

What a play by Harris.

She didn't make the call or she didn't make the grab on the line drive hit her glove but recovered and got the lead runner Eric.

That's almost better than if she'd have fielded and threw it to 1st that was.

That's exactly right and if you look that's probably one of the hardest slaps that will CD.

And if you if you see what Kaufman did there and being heads up and covering the bag and getting that lead runner, it's a lot to say about this Atkins defense.

It's the little things like that that.

Hoffman did that will win your state championship when you know, hey, I've got to cover 3rd.

I have no reason to go.

Second, no reason to sit here.

Little things like that.

Get the lead runner runner in scoring position.

Now, Ashdown has a runner at first, with one out that ones cranked.

Down the third baseline, third baseman from Harris just knowing the situation in the game and that there was a runner there on 2nd to turn around and to make that play and not try to rush anything over the first base.

Arwin the best hitter for Ashdown batting 500, and we say 500.

We're not talking about 500 with five at bats is that one is.

Cranked into center field, right?

To the center fielder Gooden for out #2 we'll see Kaufman up, now the shortstop excuse me.

We will see Forbes up for Ashdown.

Coach outs runner on 1st.

Coach did talk about Forbes having a little bit of pop.

She's got 13 home runs this year.

See if she can turn on one.

Maybe give Ash down their first lead?

The pitch fouled off.

If you had something on her mind there, yes she did.

I got to talk to her before the game and she said she's been playing softball for 13 years and her favorite sport obviously talked about her bat.

She said I just swing hard and that's that's what you saw 13 home runs, so the old one.

Off speed pitch.

Four kind of got.

In the way of the umpire there that was a that was a bad closed.

What I would consider to be some type of a slow pitch.

The those slow pitch version that thing just floated up there and forms adjusted well.

The she waited, waited, waited, and just got a piece of it.

In the O2 from May misses, we gotta tempted steel there and she'll steal second base peredes.

We've talked about it over and over again that Ashdown's going to run, and they've done that already here in the first inning is Pretus has a stolen base.

We're gonna test the arm of this catcher here and again there was nobody there for Atkins, so I think they're very thankful that ball did hit Perez Ashdown runner in scoring position now.

Flory throws it quickly back to May, trying to make sure that Paredes doesn't get to 3rd.

Twos across 222 a swing and a miss strike three great work by Libby May Ashdown leaves one stranded, no hits, no errors.

We're all tied at zero.

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I don't know Eric if you've ever done a game without live stats, but having live stats is a game changer for people trying to call a game.

And two, you know, people want to hear what's actually going on out there and we go from any nanny.

But it's great to have those numbers in front of us to see.

Kind of what's happened in the past, Madison Cook has 25 pitches in the first inning.

She'll come back.

Out and she will face Henderson.

That ball hit in the left or right center field rather and the right field of Coleman gets underneath it for out number one one pitch, one out.

And that's exactly what you want.

If you're Madison, cook well, we've talked about this speed of Ashdown, but the other thing that Coach mentioned was they got great defense and so you know, cooked love that catch out there by that right fielder.

Great job.

Prater up now for Atkins.

333 hit her on the year she takes ball one.

Stovall on deck is that boss hitting the right side.

The first baseman Alexander gets underneath it makes the cat makes the catch for out #2.

Putting the ball in places right now this defense is.

Doing their job and you know, cooks gotta love that.

3 pitches, 2 outs.

That's exactly what we want.

A quick inning if you're ashed down.

Atkins will now send Stovall up to the plate.

A 341 batter takes strike one.

Three home runs on the I'm sorry, Zero home runs three RBI's on the year.

9 singles and five double s. She settles in for the second pitch, a swing in the midst and mentioned her not having any home runs.

But another interesting fact is seven of these ballplayers from Hawkins have got home runs this year.

That's pretty impressive.

They can really hit it.

Cook attacking the strike zone here in the second inning.

The O2.

Well that is a good pitcher that just missed the inside corner.

And we talked about this earlier.

A good pitcher attacks the zone, but also throws outside the zone, right?

Try to get that batter to chase.

Say they make you try to chase it, you you, you try to hit their pitch and with two strikes and no balls like just kind of do.

But what they want to and that's why you got to get ahead in the count absolutely.

The two two now from Cook, Swing and a Miss Strike three.

Cook goes 123 for Ashdown.

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567 up now for Ashdown that will be Walker, Richard and Coleman.

We talked about this earlier.

Eric.

Here is the class for Ashdown.

Sophomore junior sophomore, sophomore sophomore, sophomore freshman freshman Junior and it's an almost the repeat on the other side with Atkins so these teams got a lot of youth out there.

May will come out for her second inning at work she had.

18 pitches, first inning that one was hit sharply to the shortstop Kaufman, she'll throw on.

To Prater, for out #1A good play by the shortstop there Kaufman stay on top of the ball.

Keep it in front of her and throw on the first base.

Great job to keep it in front again.

Like you said, Nice throw over there again.

Hard hit ball right there.

Something we saw Cook do worked very quickly and efficiently.

The top half of the inning may starts the inning in the same way.

We will see Richard up now.

It's tapped foul speaking on that first baseman there a little bit.

I think she wants to put it down the first baseline.

Richard 222 on the year.

20 hits, 14 stolen bases.

132 stolen bases for adkar frash down this year's that one button in the screen for strike two.

When you square around a bunch, you definitely want to get it down.

You don't want Bunny pitches that are up around the numbers or eyes.

Like to think now with the O2 shall swing away here.

With one out.

Hits off the end of the bat back to the pitcher.

May she fires over the prader for out #2A.

Great job.

Way to defend your position right there.

I tell you what that came off there with a little bit of weird English there.

Yeah, I don't know what part of the bat that hit we have to to see the replay.

I don't if it was the tip of the bat or what but they must watch it here.

I don't know.

It's hard to tell from that angle, but nonetheless a little dribbler back and and nicely played by May there for out #2.

First pitch cross the outside corner for strike one.

Coleman the batter.

378 hitter for this Panther team.

There's that slow pitch, and it's.

Hitting the foul territory.

The third baseman Harris underneath for out number 3123 down goes Ashdown.

We're headed to the top of the third.

No hits, no runs, no errors.

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Here in the top half of the third inning.

00 is our score.

It's kind of like deja vu.

Eric's first inning.

Both teams had a baserunner.

Had someone in scoring position first pitch?

Outside missing.

The batter.

Coffin for Atkins.

The second inning, both pitchers worked very efficiently, 123 both sides that pitch missing low for ball 2.

Now Cohen is a junior on this team, so she she's the one with the experience, if any.

She slaps that one into left center field, a base hit for Atkins show around first base, and Atkins has a leadoff double here in the third inning.

That's a big hit, Eric, is that's the 9 hole hitter.

Now you're bringing up #1 Florie the other junior well, and something that was mentioned in some things that we that we read about coughing is she.

She will have a big hit here and there and right there it's a great way to lead off the top of the third here for Atkins.

Looks like coach will have a word with his hitter.

Christian flory.

I don't know if she.

I don't know if we're gonna.

Coach pilot from Atkins Junk Day band out there to cook and I don't know if he counted that as a trip or not.

Flooring.

Christian flory up now for Atkins 483 on the year 43 hits, eight home runs and she'll settle in for her second time up.

She walked her first time.

Now she's got a runner on with no outs and walked with four straight pitches, so she knows she's ready looking for a strike right here, Derek.

And we all.

That pitch across the plate for strike one.

We'll see may flory in Goodman next three batters 4.

Atkins ball fouled off in the screen for strike two.

I mentioned it early when fully came up the first time, but she does lead the team with eight home runs so.

She's another one that could make a little difference here.

Coach said before the game she can hit it any part of the field she can hit it left.

She can hit it right?

Just a good placement hitter for this Atkins team.

The second of the 2/2 an offspeed popped up looks like a go to the second baseman Williams.

She'll get underneath it and make the catch.

For out number one it would good spot, cook, put that ball on the main floor would chase it there a little bit great offspeed pitch retired the leadoff batter for Atkins.

Libby may now up.

Libya 400 hitter.

She had a single to right field her last time up first hit of the ball game is.

That's a big swing and miss for strike one.

I think she had a repeat there in her mind.

There she wanted to put that ball in play.

Yeah, probably I haven't seen the story here.

You can say what was the 01 from Cook and that's in the turf.

Brings the count even at one.

What both pitchers settle down a little bit after that first inning?

That pitch outside.

Two in one the count.

I sent the story.

We were.

Cook behind in the Count three in one.

She's missed high and outside the last two pitches.

Interesting here that.

That pitch hitting the center field Richard and it will be the shortstop Forbes, underneath.

For out number two had a way to talk after tell him I've got it, just call him off.

That way we don't have a a collision out there, but what I was going to say is that Ashdown talked a little bit about a number 2 pictures that could come in that we could possibly see.

That's something that Atkins didn't really mention, so I think Alexander was the number two pitcher for this Ashdown squad.

The first pitch to Flory is outside for ball 1, forest struck out.

Her first time up, see if she can get something going with two outs and a runner on 1st.

The one O pitch is slapped in the left field.

It's gonna be close.

It is a foul ball.

It's a good idea.

Slap it down the left field line.

I think that left field line is kind of free out there.

Indeed, there's.

She's playing a little bit more into the left center area and.

A lot of green on that left side, the one one and that's lowing outside Eric.

The fans at home have the same view of left field that we do.

We cannot see them.

No, I can't that line down if anything happens behind Coach Porter there, well, I have to take your word for it.

That's exactly right.

Just watch the umpire behind home plate.

The two one that's high.

So Cooke worked very efficiently at first, now gotten behind three to one with two outs.

Adkins, two hits on the day.

Ashdown, 0.

The three one and that is a blooper into center field and it'll fall down right in front of Pettis.

We'll see how they score that one.

Just kind of a nonchalant play there, that ball just kind of died.

You.

You mentioned it earlier that wind blowing right to left here in Benton, and it's strong when we walk down there pregame.

It felt a little better just without hot that turf is nonetheless, it is labeled a hit.

For Atkins, they've got runners on 1st and 2nd.

With two outs and Lexi good in the center, fielder will come up good and struck out looking her first time.

She'll see if she can't contribute help.

The Red Devils score their first run of the game.

I think we brought up about good and was, you know, in this classification she probably one of the better power hitters around.

The one who?

And that's an inside pitch.

Taking the left field.

That ball is foul once again in that dead area.

Saw the third base umpire, Ben Dixon, make the call there.

Would have been a big hit down the line.

There probably would have scored.

Where they would have been great play because Coach Porter was bringing her she was.

That pitch fouled off.

Beautiful complex here in Benton if you've never been here, we've got the soccer slash football field to our left baseball.

Literally a stones throw away from behind us.

Just a beautiful place, turf everywhere.

There's no grass.

Hopefully the rain avoids this this afternoon, but if so, it's a whole lot nicer when you don't have to bring out a tarp that pictures belted into left field.

It's going back and it is foul how that ball stayed in here.

I do not know because when it left the bat.

I thought that ball was out of here.

What we talked about it earlier Gooden's power, but she's turned on a few here and that one looked.

Like it could have been gone, it was definitely foul, but if you're cook here, you're up one and two.

Don't throw her anything she can keep back over the fence or even a base hit.

Keep it out of the zone.

I mean usually power hitters like things up and high.

Throw it down and outside.

Get it away from the plate.

That's a good pitch.

It misses outside, but just what we were talking about.

Don't give her anything she can hit talk to coach before the game, he said.

Lexi, like you said, one of the most.

Powerful hitters on this field today.

And the Tutu.

Misses are now cook ahead one and twos, falling to A32, Count 2 outs, runners on 1st and 2nd floor at First coffin still at second base.

Atkins would obviously like to score her and.

Get the game's first run that's chopped to the third baseman Walker.

She'll throw over to first base.

A great scoop by Alexander for out.

#3 Cook gets out of a bind well defense defense defense.

That's what coach made mention to and right now Ashdown's got it going on 2 runners left on four Atkins, we're going to the bottom of the third.

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We're back here in the bottom half of the third inning.

We've got a great softball game.

Great fundamental softball game this afternoon.

Here I'll tell you what the pictures came in.

Settled down a little bit.

They've been able to put some pitches where they need to.

When base runners are on.

But again, like you said, not only have the pictures done a great job, this defense is behind them has done an outstanding job as well.

We'll see Williams, French and Alexander will 9 excuse me 891 for this Ashdown team.

Is Libby may steps back in the circle?

For Atkins, her first pitch of the inning is across the plate for strike one.

Talked about this earlier Harrick, but the the delayed calls from softball officials makes it really hard to be quick and efficient.

Making the call makes you want to call it and then half the time I'm wrong.

Pitch behind the third base dugout.

We talk about Williams here and we talk about the youth.

Williams is one of a a few freshmen playing in this ball game today.

Kauffman's, a freshman for Atkins.

So wow, that's pretty impressive to be in this setting state finals and have some freshmen out there leading these squads.

Williams 188.

On the year we've all got a little way from her there it looked like it might slip some.

Williams is the.

Hitter for Ashdown the one too, and that's belted in the center field.

Goodman takes a couple steps back and makes the catch for out number one tell you what talking to the coach before the ball game.

She didn't say a whole lot about the powers and pop that Atkins had talked a little bit about their speed and but man, I tell you what they've, they've hit some balls hard this afternoon.

No doubt great play there by good and you know we saw a couple plays in earlier games that outfielders.

First step is in and it caused the ball to go over their head.

She steps back on.

The first step makes great catch.

First pitch to French.

Just swinging Mr strike one.

French 190 average.

She scored nine runs this year for Ashdown.

Would love to see her just find a spot out there because the speed makes a big difference with the top of the lineup coming up.

The one one.

Hello.

Missing Football 2 hitting somewhere right now for Ashdown O of seven.

They walked once and struck out once.

Really need a base hit to get things going.

While foul tipped came to the catcher's account too.

Good crowd on hand we've got.

The stands are full.

We've got people down the left field line, people down the right field line, fans coming from.

Totally different areas of the state meeting here in Benton for a state championship.

That concept had a little bit of hesitation coming across the river bridge there.

Traffic was pretty bad as we were coming in.

Three and two to the 9 hole French.

Look, check swing fouled off into the screen.

Levi may attacking here with one out.

Trying to get the second batter of the inning.

Definitely don't want to get the nine no hitter a free ride, but no means.

French the junior.

She takes low and that'll be ball 4 so may retires the first batter and walks the second batter Ashdown's got something going here with one out.

Have a runner on first base.

We'll see the lead off Alexander up now.

Surprised if we don't see the short game come in play right here.

298 hitter she does have some speed.

She does pull the bunt.

The catcher flooring tips off her glove and home plate umpire.

Corby Davidson says it was in foul territory.

Will see it here.

Where was the catcher when she grabbed it?

Hard to tell from that angle there, but it was close.

But glove and Ball will most likely in foul territory there we strike one.

I'm going to guess that she she squares around here and buds again.

I think that's going to change what just happened.

See how Atkins defense shifts.

Here's the third baseman Harris.

Runs towards home plate.

I think Floyd had on our mind to catch that and sling it down the first to try to get a a quick double play to get him out of the inning but she took her off the ball and.

I don't know if she'd love to have that one back pitcher ball, so it is one in one.

That pitch fouled off into the screen for strike two, swinging away at that one.

I think we'll see her swinging.

From here on out with two strikes, only one out.

Well, I think one through 9 for this Ashdown team speed is the word that describes that lineup.

Get them on base.

Is may.

The two two you can see four irrespective that speed as she fires that ball back to the pitcher.

She knows she's not gonna give him the opportunity to get off the bag and she's doing a great job back there of moving around and.

Watching keeping animals runners.

The two two are swinging in a miss for strike three, so strike out for Libby May.

Client is 2 strikeouts for her when she climbed the ladder there a little bit kept that away from her and didn't give it the opportunity to put that in play.

And so with two outs.

So let's see what the great rise ball there.

That was.

Great movement there and that will bring up the two hole parentis.

Peritas reached on a fielder's choice her last time up and little swinging bunt there, and she safe or that is textbook perfect.

I'll tell you what she came out of.

That left handed side of the batters box.

Put the ball in play right where you want to and there's no way they were going to get hurt.

First base Henderson playing deep in second.

Ran up on it but it didn't matter.

It is a hit and we'll see it again here.

Let me just barely dinked it there.

The second baseman had no chance.

She was at first before she even touched them all.

Runners on 1st and 2nd Ashdown trying to break this game open with a run.

There is 2 outs and we'll see Kylie Irwin up now as she takes ball one.

Four he working quickly behind home plate, getting that ball back.

With two very fast runners at first and second, here's the one that we're talking about.

There was about 500 for Ashdown, so.

And she liked to add to that average.

Right now she flew out to center her last time up.

May pitching 41 pitches right now, two walks to strike outs and.

Her one oh pitch is high and outside.

When you get Irwin with.

Great batting average and then right behind her.

You got Forbes, who she's she's the smasher on the team.

She's leading them.

The 13 home runs.

The two, oh that's inside in the turf.

A great scoop there by 4:00 and make sure they keep those runners at first and second, you could really tell the urgency there.

She popped up, got the ball, was ready to throw it out there in front too, so that's where you want your leader to go.

She catches it and she gets out there to let him know that he don't run on me.

Have a little mound visit here between Florida and May.

We'll talk a little bit about them, coach said they are really good friends.

They do everything together.

Christian ketches her pitching lessons.

That's how that's how involved they are pitching and catching Christian has a 32 on her ACT test as a junior.

She won't take it again.

I don't know.

I'd be happy with that one and just move on.

Filled with the three times I took it, got to me 32 if I got to add them all together but.

I don't know if both of us added together would have equal 32.

Both of the three times.

Arrival step back in ahead in the count three and oh a big pitch right here from Libby may.

The three O pitch and that misses for Ball 4 Ashdown's got a little two out rally going on bases loaded.

Want to give the the the 500 hitter of anything to hit but really you got to pick your poison here so now you got the the power hitter.

We're 13 home runs coming up here.

#15 Forbes, the sophomore Forbes struck out her first time up.

We see.

Her step back in for the second time.

Big pitch right here for Libby, may and all sweet pitch that's linked into right center field.

That pitch is down.

One run will score, Peretta is around third she will score.

Wow, what a great piece of piece of hitting there.

Not only hitting them but I also saw Forbes was waiting for the throw to come in and when the throw came in she went directly to second base so a good job of hitting an outstanding job of getting back into scoring position for Ashdown 2 runners in scoring position for Ashdown as they now lead two to nothing as we see that hit just a great slap into right center field in the gap.

The second baseman Henderson's actually the one that fueled it.

That pitch is.

Down the third baseline foul.

Right right there.

I could have added two more pretty easy if that would have got behind the third baseman Kaylee Walker up a 296 hitter.

She's got three army eyes and boy if she could get a base hit here and not get one or two more.

Would be huge for Ashdown that one slapped.

Behind home plate for strike two.

Hey, if you're Libby may here.

Just settle down and attacked the next batter exactly.

You got two outs here.

I mean, you know you turn right around, you get a strike out here with one one pitch and then we'll just go right in there and again they got a great offense.

So two runs at nothing for this Atkins squad may ahead in the Count Owen.

Two good pitch, high missing for ball one.

So we finally get some runs scored here in the bottom half of the third inning.

Both teams have had a chance at different times to score.

Both pitchers have stopped that from happening.

The one two pitch and that's high.

For Ball 2 Irwin on 3rd, Forbes on 2nd, Walker is the batter.

Over 1 grounded.

To the shortstop.

Her first time up.

The two two for May, and that's slapped to the second baseman Henderson.

She'll fill the ball to throw the 1st in time to Prater for out #3 the Panthers strike for two here in the bottom of the third, they lead two to nothing.

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Every year on the broadcast, we like to recognize outstanding Arkansas student athletes who have made a mark in the classroom as well as on the field in the three a division we are spotlighting Emory cash from Gosnell High School.

She's a catcher and utility player.

She's a senior with a 4.11 GPA.

She's attending OU master.

What should be an athletic trainer so I I don't know, never had a 4.11 either?

And with that she can be whatever she wants to exactly right.

Pretty impressive.

567 up for Atkins, we'll see Kaufman.

Henderson and Prater first pitch missing for Ball 1A swing in is a good pitch there by cook.

Evens the count at one.

I've known Kaufman's dad for quite some time and have the opportunity to play softball with him, and he had a little speed too, so I know exactly what the coach was talking about when he said this is the fastest one on the team as a freshman.

The one one from Cook.

Another swinging them is for strike two.

Ashley, before the game?

Was she faster than her dad and she said definitely right now she is definitely three hits for Atkins to Ashdown's 2.

Swinging a miss for strike three and Madison Cook.

Retires Kaufman for out number one.

You get like that she sells a couple strikes and then she's making them swing at her pitch and you talked about that earlier you you get 2 strikes you get ahead in the count and don't wasting those good pitches.

Keep them out there and make them chase them.

One out here is the home plate umpire.

Talks to cook.

Hot and humid here in Bentonville.

I notice he talked to may too in that last inning so I don't know if he's telling him to slow down or.

Boy, that she does throw it as soon as they get in the box and pitch right across the middle of the plate for strike one.

And now is the game progressed.

Yesterday morning's game, the 10:00 O'clock game.

The the Rosenbach guy used a whole lot more and and latter part that ball slapped to the second baseman.

Williams and a great play by Williams to reach to a right and throw over to Alexander for out number two I thought the ball got through Eric.

I did too.

I again Coach talked a lot about this defense, speed and defense.

We heard it several times and right there we saw that defense a great job of the second base.

When they get back.

In and out one.

Well, fouled off what a snag by Williams there.

That was a great great play talk.

Talk to 7 players from Ashdown.

They said look like you just said here.

We played good defense.

We play Ashdown softball.

We're going to win today and so far they have done that.

Gotten on with some walks, nothing fancy and then a timely base hit broke the game open to nothing.

And when you get that speed on base base, hitting softball can make a huge difference.

That ball a little blooper in the left field foul.

Wow Eric, that looked like it hit the line from here.

We'll see here and I don't know what.

Coach Porter's not saying anything so.

Oh, the turf here that that line is raised because it's too seams and.

Well, I'm not sure.

So they gave her first base, excuse us.

Now Ashdown's asking him to confirm the problem.

Eric was one called foul and one called fair.

Now Porter's not happy and well, that's a tough play.

He is not happy.

Yeah.

You know that's a tough play, especially when you see it bounce off the scene like that from up here.

It definitely.

And that's the thing when you get to officials in this space, though, place like that you want to definitely have great communication and.

Well and if and if your coach Porter the frustrating thing here is you've got to get something going and you feel like you finally got to hit down the left field line and and and and it didn't happen there.

So a tough play as we watched the replay one more time in slow MO, we'll get ready for Prater back up the 1/2 she pops it up to the second baseman.

And it will be the second baseman Williams gets underneath it for out.

#3.

We're gonna go to the top of the fourth.

The Panthers lead it two to nothing you're watching.

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You know, I think sports are really big to a lot of people, and because it's an important part of our fabric and our community and the one good thing about what I've seen is it's high quality production.

You know, you think of the small communities all over Arkansas.

It's a big deal that they can turn on the TV or DVR or whatever, and they're going to get a quality product.

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Richard Coleman Williams will be the three batters for Ashdown here in the bottom half of the 4th inning.

They will try to extend their lead.

As we see Libby may for Atkins take the circle.

Deliver her first pitch here.

The bottom of the fourth.

A bunt foul.

The charging Harris picks the bottle up.

Well, you know hers made a great play early in this ball game with a little slap line drive that.

She got her glove in front of it, knew she couldn't get her.

At first he's turned around and got a great run.

I got their first out there at third base.

Richard will step back in show, but she does.

Hair is the third baseman in the throne of first.

Is not in time.

And they throw the ball back to the pitcher.

And now?

Richard still running.

She's at second base.

They're going to give her second.

And now they're gonna give her third, because it went in the dugout.

I think they're going to say on the overthrow she was going to 2nd, then going in the dugout.

But I don't.

I'm not sure that's going.

Coach, yeah, I think you're right.

Coach Porter is saying she was on her way to second when the went in the dugout.

They're going to give two errors on the play E5, and an E3 would be the third error for the Red Devils as Coach Porter.

He's pleading his case and we'll see it right here.

So she bobbled the ball, and when she bobbled it, she threw it.

And I think, I see.

We don't see it there, but then she takes off.

So coach Porter.

Head back to the dugout.

We're going to have a visit between catcher and pitcher.

They're going to have the whole infield come in, and I think not a bad idea between May and Florida.

Here.

A weird play cost your team.

2 Two base hits or two.

Sorry two bases, so we see it from this angle.

Calm everybody down and say hey let's go play softball and we got a great offense and let's get a couple outs here and don't let that play cost us in the end.

Another tough break there for Atkins.

As we'll see Coleman step in.

For her first pitch for May.

Hit page.

High outside the strike zone for strike for football.

One rather runner on 3rd.

No outs.

For the Panthers in the bottom half of the 4th is may.

Delivers for strike one from in the freshman here another freshman for Ashdown.

She's batting 378.

That's one thing Ashdown's light at the top half.

Some great averages.

You got a lock this right here by by May.

She's just said, hey, listen, I'll, I'll do my job in a circle and she's doing a great job right now.

Getting two strikes on and Williams the 1-2 slapped into the screen.

We'll keep it right here.

One and two.

May 51 pitches, 2 strikeouts.

Three walks.

She's giving up two on runs.

Is that pitch doinker over Henderson's head?

Another Ronald score and the Panthers up three to nothing now over Atkins.

Great piece of two.

Two strike hitting right there for for Coleman.

I mean, I tell you what as a freshman, she stayed in there and battled.

Coleman on the year.

So thanks for the number.

Eighth RBI and a big RBI in the state championship game.

The 8th hole Williams up now Coleman on 1st still no outs French.

In the batter circle.

Williams first pitch acrossed the plate, first strike one Coleman.

Quickly stealing second base.

Decent throw by Flory to the right side, but it wouldn't have mattered to you.

What if you're hacking?

You got to know that as soon as they get a runner on, they're moving to the next base.

I mean, honestly, I think that's the problem.

They're so fast you can know they're running and you still don't matter another doing grinder, right field flooring will field it.

She bobbles it.

Coleman around, she will score for the fourth run.

It will be a hit.

For Williams and RBI.

And the Panthers have extended this lead forward to nothing, and that just tells you how fast this Ashdown squad is.

I mean, she just bobbled it out there and she ends up taking two and was standing up there on 2nd pretty easily for Ashdown.

We'll see Coach Porter come out and see what.

What he does here?

Two runs in the third two runs now in the fourth, still 0 outs.

A runner in scoring position.

What are you saying right now?

If you're coach Porter, well, you just gotta get him to calm down.

I mean you gotta get it out.

That's the big situation, right here is hey listen we got a runner in scoring position.

Let's get an out those two hits.

So I mean they were hits.

I mean this was likely what they were.

But when you go back to let's catch it clean, let's get it back in there.

And let's try to keep this running it back.

Definitely keep the ball in front of you.

French or 190 hitter.

So if your Atkins start here attack the zone and try to get out #1 here in the bottom of the fourth they go in there and get her through and I'm sure may she's going to.

She's going to throw strikes and the relationship that she has with Floyd at the catcher and they kind of know each other and be a good spot for Floyd to calm her down here so.

No baby number 2 shimari French French now the junior will step in.

She walked her first time up in the third inning.

She'll wait on her first pitch from May.

We talked a little bit about May 20 and five on the year.

She's giving up 130 hits before today's game.

ERA of 1.99 so solid pitcher for Atkins.

Couple layers couple great hits of.

Couple unlucky breaks for Atkins on the offensive end.

French dips in and waits on the old one.

Fouled off into the screen.

What they've not pulled much of anything.

It's everything's been the right field to sash down squad.

She'll pick the rods and bag up.

Try to dry her.

Hot, sweaty hands.

It is.

It's like we said it is a humid 1 today the O2 and that is.

The pitch inside and fouled off behind the third base.

Bulpin and she proved me wrong on that when she turned on that pitch again, you look at the record here for May 20 and five and you just know where that conference that they're in.

With Mayflower and Baptist Prep that they can, they can battle and no battle all the way to the end.

Today, the O2.

That's a slow hanging ball there, and it is foul.

What a great piece of hitting there by French.

She waited and waited and waited and waited.

He did, I mean that.

It just floated up there.

It looked like a ***** look like a beach ball.

I'm not that patient.

I would have swung the minute it came out of hand.

Man, I don't like watching anything so swing anyway, so you go from fast pitch softball to Snoop pitch softball at one pitch.

May ahead 02.

That pitch missing up in the zone for ball one.

Great job in French, you're just staying off that one with two strikes, 59 pitches for Libby, may.

Pitch in the turf.

Puppies the cow.

At 2:00 who's across the board here?

Who's batting 2 balls and two strikes?

Cross the plate called.

Third strike, says Corby Davidson.

And that is outnumber one, that's Libby may.

That's a big out for May.

And again, she threw that one a little off speed, but it didn't have the big hump in it as the first one did so.

Like you said, a big AL you've been struggling to get that first out and a big strikeout looking like that.

It's a big first out.

The leadoff Alexander shows Bunt Flory will hustle back hand the ball to the pitcher.

May four.

He struck out in the third inning, walked in the 1st.

She has a 291.

Batting average on the year.

A swing and a miss for strike one.

A good pitch by Libby may on the outer half of the play evens the count at 1:00 and 1:00.

Not so for sure that you might not see.

On second take third here, that's one thing we've not seen tonight that this afternoon is a stolen third.

Yet Williams on second, she has eight stolen bases on the year.

The 11 bunded into the screen.

So that should take the bun away.

For Atkins, the defense can play a little bit more at normal depth.

There's only one out.

3rd baseman is gonna be laying a little bit so.

The one too high.

We've got one more softball game.

The host Benton, will play Greene County Tech tonight.

At 7:00 o'clock here at the Benton Athletic Complex, be a packed house.

Tonight I imagine the two two now and that's filed off.

Battle Battle battle as Alexander and Libby may seem like some of the teams that we talked to yesterday is actually gotten beat by this bending squad.

They played them in non conference and non classification battles and been pretty impressive this year.

If you played them, you've lost to him exactly undefeated.

Exactly the two two, and that's slapped into right to the second baseman.

Rather, Henderson.

Good fundamental play there and she'll get out #2.

So after giving up two runs, Atkins has got back to back out and they'll look to retire Perennis now as she'll step in.

She's one for two on the day.

She had a single and then grounded into a fielder's choice in the first inning.

What she had a heck of a slap there early and you can see the second baseman.

She's expecting the same thing.

So 330 batting average coming into today's game, 34 hits and 30 singles she.

Perhaps that foul and she's trying to push one down the third base side, again with the two hits that that we've seen here lately from Ashdown has kind of been blinkers over the second baseman's head so it wouldn't take much right here to get it over the two bags head right now.

The thing is, crazy play will score from second because they are fast.

The 1/2 the little swinging bunt.

4 equal.

Pick that up and foul territory and Libby Mays ahead.

Owen too.

See if she can battle through this last batter.

Attack the zone as the second baseman.

Henderson is playing even with her pitcher Libby.

May the 3rd baseman.

Harris playing even farther in The O2, a swinging bunt.

The third baseman Harris steps to her left and throws over the Prater for out #3 great defense by Atkins coach Porter had him right in the exact position to attack that swinging bunt and outnumber 3 Ashdown scores.

2 strands one.

We're going to the top of the fifth.

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Stovall for Atkins will step in.

She struck out looking her last time up.

Madison Cook, who's been really good today delivers the one oh pitch.

Stove all a 341 hitter.

And really, if you're at can you gotta get something going here in the 5th down for nothing.

The two O pitch and off speed pitch catches the outside corner full strike.

One that delayed strike again there day.

I didn't know.

We are hoping that the rain stays out of Celine County today.

The two one.

It's a great pitch up in the zone and she went fishing for it.

Well, that last pitch was up there a little bit and it was called strike and then she put that one just a couple inches higher and end up.

Had her chasing for that one Stonewall.

The 8 hole hitter she's owed for one today she is a junior in the 22 catches.

The outside corner for called Third Strike.

Great pitch by Madison Cook as that one hits the outside corner.

And Madison Cook is really dealing today and and you know that they've talked about how great this Atkins offense is, but it's not bothered Madison.

She's came in there and she's fired the ball and she's after that first inning.

She has really settled down and pitched a great ball game in the circle coughing up.

Now she has one of the three Red Devil hits.

She swings and misses for strike one.

She's a junior.

She had a good hit to left field her first time up ended up getting the second where she was stranded.

Pitch misses for ball one.

On deck for Atkins's Flory the leadoff batter.

That pitch hit to the shortstop Forbes.

She'll fire over the first base.

Safe, says first base umpire Geron Harris.

The bobble from Alexander the Great play by Forbes the the throw low and Alexander just bounced out of her glove.

And hey, you're number nines gotten on twice now.

If you're Atkins, see if you can get something going with your lead off and only one out on Alexander's made it great pick over there today already and I thought she might have had.

#13 Melanie Holmes looks like coach Porter will bring in.

Homes to run.

We'll see the leadoff flooring now.

The first pitch to flurries outside across the outer half of the plate for strike one.

You're gonna be excited to have her.

Running on bikes with one out and get back to the top of the just pulling line up here for Atkins May on deck for Atkins and the O one pitch misses high.

Madison Cook stretching her arm there and.

The one one pitch misses high.

Just taking a few off that last couple pitches.

Something that we have not seen a lot from Cook today behind in the cow.

Two in one.

That pitch misses so 3 pitches for balls that were high in the zone.

We'll see what she comes back here.

Likely gonna throw it across the play.

She got the meter lineup for Adkins up and she walks her.

Five pitch walk for Flory and Atkins has something going with one out they do and if you go back and look they don't have as he talked about, they're not gonna rely on any short gameplay.

And when when that happens you are allowing these top of the line up to get up here and some of these girls have got some great numbers when it comes to putting the ball in play.

Look for this team to try to make something happen as any Libby may steps in for Atkins.

You know she loved to help her cause right here.

I mean it's biggest moment right here.

For the sophomore pitcher probably feels responsible for a few of the runs, and so if she could get a few back it would be huge.

That pitch hit to the second baseman Williams, Sheffield it underhanded over to Alexander.

The runners do move over though, so Atkins now has two runners in scoring position with two outs.

Cauthorne Kaufman, rather at 3rd and Florie at 2nd.

That's just a great another job is defensive ash, and I'm not getting rattled.

Made a great play there at 2nd and hey listen, they just need to get an out and that's what they did.

The three hole floor up now she's won for two.

She struck out in the first inning, and she'll tap that one foul off the dugout.

They come in swinging.

No doubt she hit a single to center field her last time up and another single here might score two with two faster runners on the base pass for Atkins.

You can just put it in play and make this defensive **** down.

Get them out of the skinny Addison Flory steps in wait till the 01 swaying in foul tipped into the net.

And so unlike the last batter Madison, Cook ahead Owen two she found herself behind three in one, walked the last batter, and now ahead in the count one and two with two outs.

This is a big pitch right here for Madison Cook.

Mayo 2.

Jammed her that pitch little blooper in the center field, and Jlo.

Richard comes running in and makes the catch for out.

#3 Atkins tried to get something going here in the 5th, stranded to we're going to go to the bottom of the Fifth Panthers.

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Another night we had a great softball game there to end that first night off and expect the same tank thing tonight along with a great crowd.

Since we got the Benton Lady Panthers playing in that final softball game, this game will be packed tonight.

345 for Ashdown Irwin.

Forbes Walker 3 sophomores they are one for five on the day is Kylie Irwin.

Will step in for Ashdown, the first pitch coming from Libby.

May is outside for ball one.

I'd love to get her on base with Forbes coming up next.

Atkins 3 for 19 on the day Ashdown, 4 of 17 that's a 235 average for this Ashdown team is that one's fouled into the screen.

Here's a big stat right here.

Runners in scoring position Atkins O for six.

Ashdown, three of nine.

A lot, especially when we talk to.

The coach or mashed downs before the ball game in 19.

What she just said that you know defense and their speed is what a put them up in this ball game.

And I tell you what I've been impressed with them at the at the plate as well.

Erwin will step back in the 11 cow.

Pitch foul right to the left of third base brings the count to one and two.

We've said it several times over.

It's back in 500 and like you said it's not with 20 at bats.

I mean, she's she's batting 500 with the I think I saw earlier.

I don't know like 104.

Maybe it bad 104 at bats and 28 games play.

That's called hitting, swinging the bat.

Herwin behind one and two.

That off the end of her bat mail come up and make the play and they're going to.

The first made some fire calls it foul.

They're saying, I think that it hit.

Irwin's leg may be in foul territory, will watch it right here.

I don't know.

We'll see.

But that is what he called.

He called a foul in the batters box.

He called that one down the first baseline, so.

The good news for Erwin.

She's got another chance.

The 1/2 an off speed pitch missing that didn't have the height the last couple have on it.

She kept that one away.

She didn't let that float up there with this 500 hitter at the plate.

You can throw pitches like that when you get ahead like she did.

The two two and that's hit to the third baseman Harris.

She will throw over the first base to Prater.

4 outnumber one, so the deadly 500 hitter, Irwin retired on a 5 three put out.

And carry out further and that'll bring up Forbes now the software one for two on the day.

Struck out her first time and hit a single into right field that scored two in the third inning.

She had that big hit that gave Ashdown their first lead of the day.

13 home runs she's not afraid to swing the bat.

Pitch missing outside one thing.

Coach Porter talked about was that maybe not going to throw a lot of fastballs.

She's got a big arsenal of different pitches, but does not throw the fastball too often.

And I would guess should deadly hit her like Forbes that.

You wouldn't want to pitch that fastball here either.

No, she tells a lot of curveballs and some change ups.

And we've seen that today and but both of these pictures aren't talking to these coaches.

There's several pitches pitches.

May behind in the count three and oh.

And pitch great base hit in the right center field.

Henderson could not get to it.

The center field will Gooden feels the ball and throws it in, but another great **** piece of hitting.

By this Ashdown team and Forbes.

Look at that on the outside of the plate and she went with the pitch and she ate that one pretty hard day.

Henderson never had a chance to get to it.

And Ashdown has a runner on 1st, with one out.

We'll see, Walker come up now.

Grounded out.

Twice today.

The team that wouldn't think had just a ton of offense.

He's got four runs already, and they're making this act and squad play a little defense today.

Looks like we talked about Eric small ball.

I mean, if they're if you look up small ball in the dictionary.

Yeah, this team pops up right now.

Definitely they got got speed and they don't mind to slap it around.

And they definitely don't mind to put it on the ground either.

The old one.

She'll take off for second base to play, not in time as Forbes.

Took off quick and slid in there.

Not the best throw from Flori to second base as that was a little high.

Another good job of just number one keeping that ball in front of you.

That right there if it got out in the outfield, I think she would have went to 3rd.

The one one now for May.

Pitch inside.

Flooring.

Gets up quickly and stares down Forbes at second base.

I think Forbes she's popped off there quite a bit like she was fixing.

Take it.

Third, if you look at Forbes, she's in her track position there, ready to take off when the gun goes off.

The two one.

Is once again Forbes really messing with Flori making a really think about what she's doing we saw yesterday.

Tailored to the same thing, the West side and then just get in their head after a while.

Make them overthink everything what she doing.

And before long you know Atkins is more worried about Forbes than they are the hitter Walker.

And that's not what you want the three wanna blooper into center field, another one will score for Ashdown as forms crosses home plate and a great piece of one out hitting by Walker, who will get the RBI's just a great job of hitting a good job.

A Forbes on second base.

Score, but unlike there was any doubt if that ball got to the green.

She was definitely headed home.

You see this nice piece of hitting just nothing that Atkins can do right there.

I mean, just that's what you call hitting it where they're not.

And and Atkins excuse me, Ashdown has done that most of the day.

We'll see Jayla Richards step in the sophomore.

She's over, too.

She reached on an air last inning.

Grounded out to the pitcher her first time up.

Ashdown's team hitting stats now up to 300 on the days and they're really starting to hit at six hits on the day.

Only one error we talked about that early on team that committed the less errors.

Probably going to win the ball game, and that's definitely the way it's looking right now.

That's a team that only batted 310 for the year, so you got to love what they're doing.

The one one swung on and missed for strike two.

So Libby may.

Battling trying to get the second out of the inning.

The one too and that is popped up.

It looks like the shortstop Kaufman will run over and make the grab in foul territory.

Walk.

Her will retreat back to first base and Atkins has two outs.

That's a great job of coughing, just taking command and running over there, catching the ball, keeping that runner at first base, not letting her get in scoring position.

So right now we need one out to get back in there and get these sticks going.

Two outs now.

For Coleman Coleman, of freshmen, another underclassman.

One for two on the day is she'll sitting there and take strike 1/4.

She's getting that ball back.

That picture pretty quick again.

I think they're they're worried about these base runners a little bit for mashed down.

Well, if they get on first, they automatically get a runner in scoring position.

I mean, they just they steal 2nd.

The old one now and that slapped into right field another base hit for Ashdown Walker will go to third base.

Coleman Rounds first.

She's safe.

That's a great job of hitting right here.

She just took that ball where the pictures had and he said behind the runner and ends up moving her to the third runners at the corner.

2 outs, 4 Ashdown and.

So you play this one number 23 like Kenya.

She's waiting on the call from Coach Porter on how they're going to defend this one.

You've gotta think that Colman's gone to 2nd oht yeah, and there is 2 out, so we'll see if Flory maybe fires to 2nd or just tries to fool ash down fires back to the pitcher.

No, they're going to try.

Gonna try to get her at second.

Unfortunately Kaufman wasn't able to field it cleanly and.

Ashdown scores another run.

Not a bad play.

By Flory they were ready to throw down.

Unfortunately for Atkins Kauffman just couldn't field it.

Had a great heads up play though.

By Ashdown and they now lead 6 to nothing, and we definitely knew what was gonna happen.

There she was going that was for sure.

May the wild pitch.

Into the screen, the could be one to one and Coleman moves to third base.

Two out hit that put her there a single until now with a base runner on 3rd.

You know something we talked about?

Atkins batting well one through 9 you look at their averages as that one goes across for strike two.

It's really been that the opposite Ashdown's hit.

And put up six runs against a great Atkins team well, and then they've had just the timely hits.

The pitch missing.

Even as the count at.

2.

Talked with.

That one.

Strike three for out three so Ashdown.

Brass goes down 3 hours but not before scoring two runs here in the bottom half of the 5th inning the Panthers lead at 6 to nothing.

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We're through five here in Benton.

Eric King Derrick Walter here.

On a hot and muggy day.

For the three, a state title game, it has been all ash down as they lead 6 to nothing in the top half of the 6th inning.

Is that pitch from Madison Cook misses high for ball one?

We will see good and Crawford in Henderson 4564 Atkins Good No for two on the day she struck out looking and then grounded out to the second baseman and we got two more shots at it here.

So if you're, if you're acting, you just want to get some base runners and maybe get a couple.

Get into that lead and you know hopefully finish up strong and that's seven pitch missing again.

Three and oh the cow.

Like you said, you can't get six runs at one time, so just get a base runner.

See what you can do and there you go.

Four pitch walk 4.

Atkins and they've got a runner on with no Ouch, right?

You got freshman Kaufman coming up the back again.

We talked about her this team's not known a lot further speed, but she's definitely.

As Coach said one that he'd love to have on base because she's the fastest on the squad.

Kids just pitched a great game for Ashdown.

She's given up three hits, three walks and five strikeouts.

She's pitched 88 pitches so far, and the first pitch to Crawford missing for ball one that is her 5th.

Ball in a row and so.

Look for Madison to try to recover here and get a strike across the plate.

That one catching the outside corner.

Great pitch there for strike, one evens the cow.

One thing we noticed about Cook even though she had a couple base runners in that first inning.

She never got shoot.

Goodnight first base for Atkins, the one one pitch and that's fouled off into the screen for strike two.

So Madison Cook walks the first batter and able to battle back and she's ahead in the count one and two and cooks defense has played well today too so she don't mind letting him put one in play here and again just getting out.

Crawford and junior.

She fouls that one off again.

Talk to the catcher, Kylie.

Erwin before the game, she said there.

Biggest part of their statement was against Lincoln.

She was able to drive in the game winning RBI.

They were tied five to five with two outs, runner on second.

She drove in the winning run and they were able to win six to five.

We talked about her hitting earlier, but she's been pretty good behind the plate today too.

He's been great behind the plate.

The two two pitch and that one slapped the third baseman foul territory.

We talked about their speed all day, but their defense there because it's pretty unbelievable.

Kylie Erwin also told me you know one thing that Ashdown's done all year.

They don't give up.

She said, you know, started off a little shaky.

First part of the year but just really towards the end of the season.

Came together as a team and really.

Just kept fighting and fighting when things got tough.

They just fought as a team and you know it's a lot easier as we watch the two two pitch and that was fouled back.

It's a lot easier in my opinion with small ball teams when you are struggling because you you know you get 1 runner on you steal seconds, you get 1 runner on you bought them over when you're a team that swings away and and has to depend on that big hit when you're not hitting well that day, that's hard.

Hit with runners on base.

I mean, that's another thing you can have a big hit and like we saw in that cabbage game, just be a a leadoff home run that Bernard had, but without getting those runners that you're accustomed to on base, ask half as Catholic.

I'm sorry, as Atkins has this year you you, you go back and you try it again.

Just chip away at this lead in this 5th inning.

The two two is hit right back to the pitcher cook.

She makes a brilliant play throwing over to Williams at 2nd.

Place gets the lead runner and once again Eric, they've the small things they've known the whole game.

Where to go.

If the ball comes to them, what are they doing with it?

And she right there doesn't throw the first.

She knows she's going to 2nd to get the lead runner well and and and again, second baseman no.

She has to make the play there.

She does a great job of catching it and just making sure of that out by reaching down and tagging her again.

They're going A6 run lead so you know you get one out at a time right here and then.

And be a pretty good afternoon for ASH now that pitch hitting the center field Richard will get underneath it should come in and catch it.

Underhanded for out #2 Richards made two great plays that place she made early in the ball game.

She ran in almost on the infield and made a great catch in the air.

She's catching it exactly.

I think that's about the way it is with any of those outfielders out there.

Well, here's the deal.

If you can steal bases, you run in the field.

And that's exactly what Ashdown's done first.

Pitch now to Prater.

Mrs Furball one prater.

Over 2 flew out.

Twice today, and that one's a pop fly into right center field.

Richard and Coleman and Coleman will make the catch for out.

#3 Atkins leaves a runner stranded.

We're going to the top half of the 6th inning.

It's been all Panthers today.

They leave at 6:00 to nothing.

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6 to nothing.

Ashdown leads it here in the bottom half of the 6th inning it has been all Ashdown today.

As they've done it defensively, they've done it with their bats.

They've done it with stealing bases and cooks did a great job in the circle as well too to take this Atkins bunch who we talked about earlier about how impressive they are from the plate to just really shut them down.

I mean, if you look at these batting averages for Adkins, 404 hundred 303 hundred 300, almost 403 hundred 203 hundred, I mean to limit them to three hits today and you've got a shutout.

Going through six is pretty good if you're Ashdown.

And really, exactly what you wanted from your picture today and again you got.

If you're asked down, you gotta.

French is coming in and and she's the 9 hole hitter coming in to start this bottom of the six off.

And then they're going to go right back to the top of that order to where we know it doesn't matter who's on base.

They're going to take second.

Libby may back in the circle for Atkins, and that pitch fouled off.

May 105 pitches on the day she's giving up seven seven hits, six runs.

Five of those earned.

She has struck out four, and you know, Eric.

She's been really good.

She's had a few times, obviously gave up some timely hits, but you know, only walked three today is that pitch is pop up in the infield.

The second baseman shortstop, and it will be Kaufman that gets underneath it to make the catch.

For out number one, well and again a few mishaps.

You know that ball that got thrown past her as a the first baseman was trying to get back into it.

It got in a dugout then that leaded to another run.

So again, you just can't give a with a speedy team like this Ashdown squad.

You can't give them extra outs.

The first pitch 2 fringe is slapped to the shortstop.

Kaufman shoulder fielded and throw over Prader for out #2A good play by Kaufman there was a line drive.

She fielded it cleanly and made a good throw over to Prader.

Pretty impressive job by the freshman's arm and getting it over there.

Pretty did a good job of stretching out there and get it again.

Way this offense is of Atkins, if they can get another outright here, hopefully go in and get something going.

You don't never know six runs, it could happen.

The lead off excuse me.

Peretta is up now.

Batting 330 on the year she is 1 for three today and she'll slap it to the shortstop.

Kauffman coffin fires over.

For out #3 a great fielding play by their shortstop and a great throw to get the speedy perennis to end the inning.

123 down goes Ashdown Atkins.

We'll have their chance in the top of the seventh.

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Wherever you listen, 100 pitches, 5 strikeouts.

Three walks.

For Madison Cook she has been amazing today for the.

Ashdown Panthers.

She is down to three outs for a state championship.

Well as you said, you can't get all six with one swing of the bat.

So if you're Atkins you just got to get runners on base and you know hope that you know the cards fall in your favor right now.

Up now that she's a sophomore.

That pitch in a right center field and Coleman will get underneath it for out number one.

The Panthers 2 outs away.

From a state championship, Eric, let's talk about the history of Ashdown.

They won the state championship in 2008.

They were the runners up in 2006 and 2013, so again, I think it's the speed and the the softball history down in that southern part of the state.

And they've been very impressive today and not too far away from naming 2021.

Two in that record book cause and one for two.

She's a junior.

She'll try to really just jump start Atkins.

They need to.

They need a jolt here if if they're going to try to score six runs.

The top of the seventh.

They're down to two outs.

First pitch to her is drill back up the middle of the base hit.

She has been the one all day for Atkins to get something going.

She had a base hit reached on an air in the 5th and a base hit into center won't.

She's hit the ball hard too.

It's a great job by that 9 old hitter to put it in play.

And I tell you what that just got right up under the glove of Cook there Cook really had nothing to do there.

She just tried to reach for it, but there was a liner the leadoff flory up.

Now she's oh for one at pitch.

Across the plate strike one.

May on deck for Atkins she's one for three.

If I was cook, I'd just throw strikes up there.

The way this defense is played today so you don't have anything to worry about.

Flory Blast went into center field and Richard took a few steps and Adkins down to their last out again.

It's that outfield today.

They've made some great catches.

Some catches that you thought well might just get down and some Little Texas League bloopers, but that's how it feels.

Not gonna let it happen.

Ashdown fans on their feet.

They can taste the state championship here in Benton.

They're two outs, runner on 1st.

Libby may steps in and tries to keep the season alive for Atkins.

Cooksets delivers ball one.

Everybody at normal depth.

Four Ashdown.

We talked about the history there for Ashdown's asking squad has won the state championship in 2011 so.

Slap foul.

Ashdown now.

Two strikes away from a state championship.

You know it's gotta be warm out there right now that's shining down that turns about 10 to 15 degrees hotter in the 11 low.

The outfielders Perennis, Richard and Coleman playing normal depth.

The two one slapped into center field, Richard underneath she could not make the catch.

The ball hits the wall.

Atkins around 2nd.

And they will have runners at the corner with two outs, and that's the hardest hit ball by either team.

All day, right there that just that.

One got just mashed over the center fielders head and she didn't have an opportunity to go get that again.

One base at a time, right here.

You just can.

You don't want to run into any crazy out there.

Ash down.

All they need is one out.

They've played great big fence so far so you know they just want to keep the ball in front of them.

And now even a three run shot right here.

No, I really hurt you.

They remember 12 Addison history, so Addison Flory now up for for Atkins.

For the last chance here for Atkins is that pitch misses Lowe from ball one.

Runners at the corner.

2 outs.

6 To nothing Panthers that pitch missing outside for Ball 2.

That's the first runner on Atkins is heading on third base all day.

Addison Florey steps in the two oh pitch missing.

For ball 3.

Atkins has Lexi good in the center fielder on deck.

Goodman, the power hitter for this Atkins team see if she'll get a chance.

Atkins, down to their last out the three oh pitch, and that's high for ball four and the bases are loaded for the power hitting.

Again, Cooks got a six run lead.

Hey she all she needs is an out just calm down, you know, just getting the foot one on the ground here getting out even if you gotta let him score a run or two.

Pick a spot, make a good play and try to bring it home.

Coach Porter is going to have a word with his.

Clean up batter.

She steps in see if she can deliver for Adkins the first pitch coming from May.

It's a fastball low for ball one.

The one O and that slapped to the second baseman.

Hoffman for out #3 in the Ashdown Panthers or your 2022 State 3A softball champions as outstanding job all the way around with this Ashdown squad.

Great defense that got great speed as we were told before the ball game but take nothing away from those bats and cook inside that circle.

Ashdown ran is fast around the bases today as they just did out to the middle of the dogpile they did a great job.

They got runners on base and when they did away they run the ball.

They just.

Having to have to make the right spot at the right time, great heating as well.

Speed was the name of the game today for Ashdown and pitching.

You cannot say enough about Madison Cook today.

She didn't do anything fancy.

She just batter after batter attacked the zone and her team, she puts a zero in every inning, only gave up.

Four hits today and her defense only gave up one error.

I don't know one of those hits came late in the ball game right there by the big hitter from from Atkins, so it's just a great all around job by everybody on that gas down squad.

We're going to take a quick break.

We'll come back with trophy presentations and we'll wrap up the game.

Ashdown wins the three A state Championship 6 to nothing you've been watching.

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Welcome back into the broadcast booth.

Eric King, Derek Walter Ashdown wins this six to nothing.

As we look at on the field and.

See them presented the 2022 three A state championship trophy and banner.

What a performance today.

Eric by Ashdown.

Well, what a great job and they talked about that defense and the speed.

But again, like you said before winter break, you really got to look and see what what cook did in that circle and she did a great job for him and she she ended up with five strikeouts.

A team only give four walks, a team that she knew coming into this Atkins was very strong at the play.

There's no doubt.

Ashdown ends the season 25 and five Atkins ends, the season 20 and 9 talk a little bit about Atkins, obviously just struggled getting anything started batting today and they did.

And again both teams struggled in that first inning, but as we said, Cook calmed down a little bit and and may had a great game as well.

But one thing that I'm impressed about both of these teams, they got young players that we know we will see somewhere down the line in the near future.

And don't be surprised if you don't see these two back in the same spot next year.

How impressive is it?

All the underclassmen on the team.

We only had four errors and a couple of those were, you know, kind of different type plays.

But for the Panthers, one error and to not have a senior on the field, just a remarkable job by their defense absolutely and have a couple freshmen out there.

You know, we talk about the freshmen on Ashdown squad again there when they got on base there was no doubt if they got the first they were fixing to take second so.

You know Atkins couldn't really hiccup at all on the defensive side because they were going to run and they ran the they based as well.

Today leaders thrashed down forms was two for three with two RBI's Coleman 2 for three with one RBI Walker, one for three with 1B RBI and Williams, one for three with an RBI and a double.

What a great softball game.

Ashdown wins it 6 to nothing.

Madison Cook gets the win.

Libby May gets the loss.

And we are ready for the next game, which will happen right behind us.

We've got Van Buren and Marian in the five a baseball final.

Tune in that game will begin right at 4:00 o'clock and we will have the baseball game, and we'll have a softball game coming up after that where the home team host Benton will come and try to defend their undefeated season, not just any home team is probably one of the best, if not the best fast pitch softball teams in the state right now, and so be very impressed and this place.

Impact no doubt.

Once again a great one here in Benton, Ashdown leads it.

Ashdown wins it rather 6 Atkins Zero you've been watching the Centennial Bank state baseball and Softball championships on Arkansas PBS.

4 Eric king.

I'm Derek Walter saying so long from Benton.