The Paris Lady Eagles cruised to a 8-0 state quarterfinal win over the Bald Knob Lady Bulldogs behind the solid pitching of Jadyn Hart and an offensive explosion that jumped on the Lady Bulldogs early and often. With the win, Paris advances to the state semifinals on Saturday to play the number one ranked Baptist Prep Lady Eagles for the right to play in next week’s state championship final.
Baptist Prep has been ranked number one in Class 3A all season. In fact, the Lady Eagles have not lost to a Class 3A team all season. I caught up with Paris head coach Donald Hart after his Lady Eagles dominated a good Bald Knob team on Friday, and I asked him for an assessment of how his team has played in the state tournament, as well as some comments on a very good Baptist Prep team that Paris will face for the right to play in next week’s state championship game. Coach Hart commented, “We are playing our best ball at the right time. Its all about peaking at the right time and we seem to be hitting on all cylinders going into the semifinals. Baptist Prep has been number one all year and has not lost to a 3A team this year. They have two pitchers that throw in the low 60’s (mph), a good defense, and very good hitters. We will be going in as the underdog. We lost to them two years ago in the regional semifinals 2-1. It should be a very good game.”
Yes, it should be a very good game, and in fact, it may be the biggest game of the tournament, even the state final. If Paris can find a way to win, they have a very good chance of winning the state championship next weekend.
Game time in Ashdown is 12 noon. And before I finish this story, I would like to send out praise and appreciation to the Ashdown school district and community for an excellent job in hosting the first three round of the state tournament. Ashdown has excellent facilities, and the staff has been friendly and efficient all week. They have been a gracious host, and I am sure our players, coaches, and fans, appreciate their fine hospitality.
So the stage is set. It is Paris and Baptist Prep for a berth in next week’s championship game. And it may be the biggest game of the year.
See you at the ballpark!
