Resident News Network

Toad to Omaha: Frogs Advance to the Super Regionals

Sports

-

2:43 pm

Toad to Omaha: Frogs Advance to the Super Regionals

FAYETTEVILLE – The 2023 Arkansas baseball season has come to end. Key injuries to the pitching staff and others on the roster finally became too much for the Razorbacks in the finals of the NCAA Regional.

Arkansas (43-18) concluded the campaign with a 12-4 loss against TCU (40-22) in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional championship round on Monday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium. With the loss, the Razorbacks, the No. 3 overall seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament, failed to advance out of the regional round for the first time since 2017.

Playing its third game in 24 hours, Arkansas came out energized and took an early lead. The first three Razorback batters reached and loaded the bases for Ben McLaughlin, who drove home the first run on his sacrifice fly to left.

TCU took the lead with two runs in the bottom half of the second, but Arkansas came roaring back in the fifth inning. Back-to-back home runs by Jace Bohrofen, who clobbered his team-leading 16th homer of the year off the batter’s eye, and Jared Wegner, who swatted his 15th of the season, propelled the Hogs back to a 4-2 advantage.

Bohrofen finished the game 1-for-3 with two RBI, concluding the year with a team-leading .318/.436/.612 slash line. He racked up a team-best 31 extra-base hits, including 15 doubles, and 52 RBI, second most among all Razorback hitters.

Hagen Smith, who entered in relief of starter Cody Adcock in the second inning, kept the Horned Frogs at bay over his 3 2/3 innings of work on the mound. The left-hander struck out six while allowing just one run, finishing his All-America campaign with a team-leading 109 strikeouts over 71 2/3 innings on the year.

After Smith departed, however, TCU broke through for nine more runs against the Arkansas bullpen. The Horned Frogs used a three-run sixth and a five-run eighth to put the game away for good, sealing their 12-4 regional-clinching win.

Led by 2023 SEC Coach of the Year Dave Van Horn, Arkansas finished the season with 43 overall wins, the program’s sixth consecutive 40-win season (excluding the shortened 2020 campaign). The Hogs, who won an SEC championship for the fourth time in school history, tallied 32 wins at Baum-Walker Stadium, their third-most home victories in a season.

For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).

– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks

Note to Our Readers: Parts of the previous story were sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Oliver Grigg.

Eagles Show Improvement Today at Charleston Summer Football Camp

Sports

-

11:28 pm

0

Eagles Show Improvement Today at Charleston Summer Football Camp

CHARLESTON- The late-spring temperatures today were more like summer conditions for the many high school teams who traveled to Charleston to play at the summer football camp hosted by Charleston High School. Several area teams, including teams from Heavner, Poteau, and Panama, Oklahoma participated in the camp.

For both the Paris Eagles and the host Charleston Tigers, today’s camp was another important first step in preparing young football teams for the August start of the 2023 high school season. Charleston, fresh off of a state championship season in 2022, will feature a very young team that had good success in junior high school football a year ago, but many of whom will be playing their first year of varsity football.

Tigers head football coach Ricky May is excited about his team but knows that it will be a growing process all year. But the young Tigers will have to grow up quickly when Charleston faces its traditional tough non-conference schedule in the first three weeks of the season.

After the day’s camp, Coach May, commenting on his team’s progress, said, “We got a lot of reps for everyone and got to see a variety of offenses and defenses that makes us have to adjust on the fly. It gives us a good opportunity to fix stuff and see all of our kids in game-like situations. I thought the short padding game (players worked out in helmets, shoulder pads, and shorts) looked pretty good for this time of year, and our defensive line looked pretty good.”

For Paris, the team goes into this season with just three seniors, two of which have playing experience. But the young team looked good on both offense and defense. The Eagles are young, but very talented. If this team stays healthy and continues to improve, Eagles fans should see the team have more success this year. After the loss of big numbers and talent at the end of the 2021 season, it appears that the program’s talent level is catching back up to the high school team, and progress should be seen this year as well as steadily improving over the next four years. Head coach Jeff Weaver has both a young and talented varsity team this year, as well as very good talent in junior high school. The 2023 season could be a year where the program begins a trend upward that continues for the next several years.

Photos from today’s camp may be accessed on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports. The Eagles will return to Charleston next Monday, June 12, for another summer camp session, and RNN Sports will be there again to bring you an update from the camp, as well as action photos of the day’s activities.

Stay with RNN Sports this summer as we bring you updates on football, volleyball, and basketball summer camps and workouts updates!

Obituary – Joe Nathan Evatt (1967-2023)

Obituaries

Tammy Teague

-

9:30 pm

0

Joe Nathan Evatt, 56, of Greenwood, Arkansas passed from this life on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Joe was born February 7, 1967 to John Fred Jr. and Bobbye Evatt in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Joe had a love for outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He could always be found building some sort of contraption or craft. His creations were always unique and functional.

Joe is survived by his son, Justin Evatt and wife Andrea of Silverdale, Washington; daughter, Desiree Mundell Kuhn and husband Warren Kuhn III of Benton, Arkansas; one brother, Johnny Evatt of Amarillo, Texas; His stepmother, Naomi Evatt of Greenwood, Arkansas; and one granddaughter, Layla Hisotria Maven Evatt.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Deborah Lea Evatt and parents, John Fred Evatt Jr. and Bobbye Evatt.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.

Hogs Avoid Elimination, Advance to Regional Final for TCU Rematch

Sports

Resident News Network

-

12:44 pm

0

Hogs Avoid Elimination, Advance to Regional Final for TCU Rematch

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas (43-17) held off Santa Clara (36-20), 6-4, in an elimination game on Sunday night at Baum-Walker Stadium to extend its season for at least one more day.

Arkansas must now defeat TCU (39-22) twice on Monday, June 5, to win the NCAA Fayetteville Regional and advance to play Indiana State (45-15) in the super regional round. First pitch in Monday’s first game is scheduled for 2 p.m. on ESPNU. If the Razorbacks win, they must then play a winner-take-all game against the Horned Frogs at 8 p.m.

Arkansas began Sunday with its most lopsided loss ever in a postseason game, suffering a 20-5 setback at the hands of TCU. The Hogs hammered four home runs, including a pair of blasts by Tavian Josenberger, but could not keep up with the Horned Frogs’ explosive offense, which was paced by Tre Richardson’s three-homer, 11-RBI performance.

Josenberger finished the game 2-for-4 with a team-leading three RBI. The Razorback centerfielder swatted a leadoff home run in the bottom half of the first before connecting on a two-run shot – his second dinger of the day – in the fifth.

Jace Bohrofen and Harold Coll also chipped in with a pair of solo home runs against TCU. The game also included a pair of lightning delays midway between the third and eighth innings that combined to total nearly two hours.

The Razorbacks’ second game of the day, however, turned out much better. Right-hander Brady Tygart started on the mound against Santa Clara with Arkansas’ season on the line and delivered one of the best performances of his career.

Tygart went a career-long 5 2/3 innings and allowed just two earned runs while striking out six, one shy of his career high. He departed Sunday night’s ballgame with Arkansas ahead, 4-3, thanks to the Razorback offense’s early run production, which included Bohrofen’s first-inning RBI double as well as Jared Wegner’s 14th home run of the season.

After the Hogs came out and scored a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, Wegner hammered a solo home run in the top half of the third to give Arkansas a 3-0 advantage. Parker Rowland would then push the Razorbacks’ lead to four with a two-out RBI single back up the middle in the fourth.

Santa Clara threatened with a three-run sixth, but Will McEntire, who earned the win in Friday’s game against the Broncos, emerged from the bullpen in relief of Tygart and escaped without further damage. The veteran right-hander spun 2 2/3 innings of one-run ball and struck out five, setting the table for Kendall Diggs’ clutch eighth-inning homer.

The Razorback designated hitter socked a two-run blast off the scoreboard in right center to put Arkansas up, 6-3. Diggs’ home run was his 12th of the season, and his two runs batted in raised his season total to a team-leading 63.

McEntire started the bottom of the ninth, but he was relieved by Hunter Hollan with one out and a run in. The left-hander faced just one batter and induced a ground ball to turn a game-ending double play, sealing Arkansas’ 6-4 win to stave off elimination.

For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).

– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks

Note to Our Readers: The previous story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Oliver Grigg.

Local Teen Tegan Stimac Shines as DCI Corps Member

Featured

Tammy Teague

-

2:32 am

0

Local Teen Tegan Stimac Shines as DCI Corps Member

Greenwood High School’s talented and determined student, Tegan Stimac, is set to embark on an exciting journey this summer as she joins the esteemed DCI corps, Zephyrus, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The 15-year-old rising Junior successfully auditioned for the renowned ensemble in February and was offered a contract on the spot, solidifying her place among the talented ranks of Zephyrus.

Drum Corps International (DCI) is a prestigious organization that showcases the skills of marching musicians through intense competition and captivating performances. Tegan’s exceptional talent and dedication have earned her the opportunity to travel and perform across the country with Zephyrus during their upcoming summer tour.

Tegan’s passion for music extends beyond her involvement with Zephyrus. Recently, she had the privilege of starring in a Public Service Announcement (PSA) aimed at raising awareness about fentanyl, a highly potent drug contributing to the ongoing opioid crisis. The PSA was filmed at Prairie Surf Studios in Oklahoma City, an acclaimed location for various film and media productions. Tegan’s involvement in this important initiative demonstrates her commitment to using her platform to address critical issues affecting her community.

As Tegan begins her Junior year at Greenwood High School, she continues to excel academically and balance her commitments in music, education, and leadership. Playing regularly with the worship team at Harvest Time, volunteering with White Bluff-Rye Hill Fire Department, and advocating for those on the autism spectrum are just a few of the ways she devotes her time. Her dedication to her studies and extracurricular pursuits serve as an inspiration to her peers and underscores her unwavering drive for success.

Tegan Stimac’s story serves as a reminder of the exceptional young talent within our community. As she embarks on her journey with Zephyrus, her accomplishments are a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and the encouragement of those around her.

Friends, family, and followers of Tegan are encouraged to show their support by visiting the fundraising page dedicated to her journey: [https://tinyurl.com/ycku748b]. This platform allows individuals to contribute and provide financial assistance, ensuring that Tegan can pursue her dreams in music and make the most of her upcoming opportunities.

Arrest Reports 5/28

Police Reports

Tammy Teague

-

10:45 pm

0

Arresting agency – Bonanza Police Department:
Lance Hunter Eaton of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 28 at 8:24 p.m. and released on signature bond May 28 at 10:49 p.m. Eaton was charged with Petition to show cause.

Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Tony Curtis McCubbin, 62 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 31 at 3:24 p.m. McCubbin was charged with failure to appear.

Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Michelle Leann Childers of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 29 at 9:51 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond May 29 at 10:11 p.m. Childers was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony.

Johnny Ray Parrish of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 30 at 12:36 a.m. and released on cash bond May 30 at 11:12 a.m. Parrish was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony.

David Tyler Smith of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 31 at 11:06 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond June 2 at 10:50 a.m. Smith was charged with two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the Third Degree, and Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Purposely.

Arresting agency – Mansfield Police Department:
Joshua Jacob King of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 30 at 8:58 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. King was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine), Theft of Property <$1k, and Contempt of Court–(child support), FTAS, FTRespond Subpoena, FTComply WCO.

Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department:
Melissa Sue Spencer of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 31 at 11:52 a.m. and remains at the SCADC. Spencer was charged with two counts of Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor, Failure to Appear – Class A Misdemeanor, and Contempt of Court–(child support), FTAS, FTRespond Subpoena, FTComply WCO.

Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
Gerald Ross Summers of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 28 at 1:26 a.m. and released on signature bond May 28 at 8:31 a.m. Summers was charged with Public Intoxication – Danger to self or others.

**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**

Greenwood Hosts First Football Team Camp

Networks

Ross Fujibayashi

-

4:13 pm

0

Greenwood Hosts First Football Team Camp

Action did not take long to happen as 5 other teams converged upon Smith-Robinson Stadium to take part in Greenwood’s Team Camp. Representing the Class 7A were Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Springdale Har-Ber. Class 6A were Greenwood, Pulaski Academy, and Russellville. The lone Class 5A team was Alma.

Fayetteville is looking to better their 7-5 record last fall and is capable of doing so with Minnesota commit Drake Lindsey at QB. While they did boast 5-2 record in conference they were beat in the playoffs by Conway. Greenwood will see Fayetteville again for the annual AAA Benefit Game when Fayetteville makes the trip back down I-49 to play in Greenwood on August 15th.

Bentonville is coming into the season as state runner-up in Class 7A and had several weapons on display at the team camp. They have an incoming Sophomore class that dominated their Freshman season. This team is traditionally a power in the 7A West and this looks to be another great Tiger team led by Greenwood Alum Jody Grant.

Springdale Har-Ber is under new leadership this season under Head Coach Brent Eckley. Coach Eckley’s previous spot was at Jackson, Missouri where he turned the program into a championship-level program in Class 5. Har-Ber finished 1-10 last season, their lone win coming from defeating cross-town rival Springdale.

Pulaski Academy is the reigning State Champion in Class 6A by avenging a loss to Greenwood in the regular season. the Bruins, similar to Greenwood, never have a rebuilding season, but very similar to Greenwood they had a different QB at the helm. Junior Brandon Cobb, who saw considerable time late in the season, was at QB for the Bruins.

Russellville was a Class 6A playoff contender in 2022. In the regular season the Cyclones kept it close to Greenwood in the first half before falling 42-21.

Alma started off their 2022 season with a bang, by winning their first for games. A 43-8 loss in Farmington seemed to turn the momentum not in their favor as the Airedales would only win two more games and inevitably miss the Class 5A playoffs.

Greenwood will be in action this coming week as they travel to Northside for that team camp on Wednesday and a 7 on 7 tournament in Alma on Friday.

Chris Young Tabbed As Greenwood Athletic Director

Networks

Ross Fujibayashi

-

4:00 pm

0

Chris Young Tabbed As Greenwood Athletic Director

Greenwood Head Coach Chris Young chosen to be next Athletic Director with several others being announced to new dual roles

Greenwood has found its next Athletic Director in football Head Coach Chris Young. After the departure of Dr. Dustin Smith, the Greenwood School District set out to find the next person to the Athletic Department.

Hired in 2000, Chris Young has been a part of the Greenwood School District for his entire teaching career. Coach Young will remain in is position as Head Football Coach alongside being the Athletic Director. This is the third time in Coach Young’s career that he has held an administrative and Coaching role in the district. The other two times being the ALE Director and the Assistant Principal.

Also announced were High School Assistant Principal Chase Meyers as the Event and Eligibility Coordinator. High School Boys Soccer Coach and Computer Science teacher Tyler Woods as Event Coordinator. Activities/Athletic Technology Coordinator is now under the direction of High School Baseball Coach Brandon Brewer.

Resident News Network Sports Network would like to congratulate those hired to new roles and look forward to work alongside them at future sporting events.

Arkansas Plays TCU Today at 2 p.m. in Revised Regional Schedule

Resident News Network

-

3:58 pm

0

Arkansas Plays TCU Today at 2 p.m. in Revised Regional Schedule

Arkansas will take on TCU today at 2 p.m. in Game 4 of the NCAA Fayetteville Regional. Tickets for Game 4 (originally scheduled for Saturday night) will be valid for Sunday’s game between the Hogs and Frogs.

Game 5 of the Fayetteville Regional is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Sunday night. Santa Clara will take on the losing team between Arkansas vs. TCU in the Sunday nightcap. In the only game played on a rain-soaked Saturday at the Fayetteville Regional, Santa Clara eliminated Arizona by defeating the Wildcats, 9-3.

The regional championship game is set for Monday with Game 6 first pitch yet to be determined. If Game 7 is necessary, it will follow approximately 30 minutes after Game 6.

All games will be available on ESPN+/SECN+ and can be upgraded to an ESPN family network.

NCAA Fayetteville Regional Revised Schedule

Sunday, June 4

Game 4 – TCU vs. Arkansas – 2 p.m.

Game 5 – Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 – 8 p.m.

Monday, June 5

Game 6 – Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 – TBD

Game 7 – if necessary

Rain forced the postponement of game four on Saturday. Ground crews and NCAA tournament officials battled rain, lightning delays, and their subsequent effects on the national television schedule. The Razorbacks grounds crew did an excellent job in keeping the field in playing condition. The outfield took on a lot of rain throughout the day, but the grass at Baum-Walker drains extremely well, and by the time Arizona and Santa Clara took the field at 8 p.m., it was barely noticeable that the field had been subjected to rainfall for most of the afternoon. Cudos to everyone at the University of Arkansas for doing a great job hosting the Fayetteville Regional.

Now it is time for the Hogs to take the field in a game that could ultimately determine their fate in returning to the College World Series.

Note to Our Readers: Portions of this story were sourced directly from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Oliver Grigg.

Arkansas Defeats Santa Clara 13-6 to Advance in NCAA Regionals

Sports

Resident News Network

-

1:37 pm

0

Arkansas Defeats Santa Clara 13-6 to Advance in NCAA Regionals

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas (42-16) used a pair of five-run innings to race past Santa Clara (35-19), 13-6, on Friday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium in the opening round of the NCAA Fayetteville Regional.

With the win, the Hogs advanced to the winner’s bracket and will play at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 3, against TCU. Arkansas has won eight consecutive regional openers since 2014.

Santa Clara jumped out to an early two-run advantage thanks to a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. The Broncos strung three consecutive base hits together, taking their only lead of the day on a one-out, two-run single to left center.

Cole Kitchen, Santa Clara’s starting pitcher, cruised through his first three innings of work on the mound before running into trouble in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Razorback offense broke through for five runs on a sacrifice fly, a pair of walks and four hits, highlighted by Kendall Diggs’ two-out three-run single.

Diggs’ bases-clearing knock proved to be the jolt that Arkansas needed. Will McEntire, who entered in relief of starter Hunter Hollan (2.1 IP, 2 R, 2 SO) in the top of the third, took full advantage of the run support by spinning five strong innings to settle the game down, striking out two while allowing just three runs on his way to his eighth win of the year.

The Hogs’ second five-run inning of the ballgame came in the bottom half of the sixth. Arkansas scored a pair on Tavian Josenberger’s two-run opposite-field homer before adding three more on back-to-back-to-back bases-loaded walks.

Josenberger, who went 2-for-6 with two runs scored and two RBI, was one of two Razorbacks to finish with multiple hits in the win. Jared Wegner also racked up a pair of base knocks, going 2-for-4 with a run scored, an RBI and a walk.

With Arkansas ahead by seven, Caleb Cali’s three-run blast in the seventh put the game away for good. His home run into the Hog Pen, which extended the Razorbacks’ advantage to 13-3, was his ninth of the season.

Santa Clara would cut its deficit back down to seven with two runs in the eighth and one more in the ninth, but Arkansas reliever Cody Adcock worked around the threat to close out the game and secure the Hogs’ 13-6 regional-opening win.

Arkansas left-hander Hagen Smith will get the start in tomorrow night’s contest. The true sophomore, recently named a First Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball, is 8-1 with a 2.69 ERA and 102 strikeouts over 67 innings this season.

For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).

– ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @ArkRazorbacks || Facebook.com/ArkansasRazorbacks

Note to Our Readers: The following story was sourced directly and in its entirety from the University of Arkansas Office of Communications, Oliver Grigg.

R

RESIDENT NEWS NETWORK