BIRMINGHAM, AL – Arkansas skipper Dave Van Horn has been named the 2023 SEC Coach of the Year.
Van Horn, in his 21st season as head coach, led the Razorbacks to their fourth SEC championship and second in the last three seasons. Arkansas also won its seventh SEC Western Division crown under Van Horn and fourth since 2018.
Van Horn was voted SEC Coach of the Year for the third time in his career, also winning the award in 2004 and 2021 after leading the Hogs to their second and third conference titles, respectively. He is one of three active coaches, along with Vanderbilt’s Tim Corbin (3) and Florida’s Kevin O’Sullivan (3), to be named SEC Coach of the Year at least three times.
Four Razorbacks were named to All-SEC teams by the league’s head coaches, led by Hagen Smith’s first-team selection at starting pitcher and All-Defensive honors. Kendall Diggs picked up second-team recognition at designated hitter, while pitcher Gage Wood and outfielder Tavian Josenberger garnered Freshman All-SEC and All-Defensive praise, respectively.
Smith, the Hogs’ first starting pitcher to earn first-team SEC honors since Ryne Stanek in 2013, has been used in several capacities this season. The left-hander began the campaign as Arkansas’ No. 1 starter and transitioned to a “wild card” role at the start of SEC play due to injuries to the pitching staff before settling back into the Hogs’ starting rotation.
For the year, Smith has made 15 appearances with nine starts, including five in SEC play, and boasts an 8-1 record with a team-leading 2.56 ERA and two saves over 63 1/3 innings of work on the mound. The true sophomore, who is also a semifinalist for the College Baseball Foundation National Pitcher of the Year Award, has struck out a team-high 93 batters and limited opposing hitters to a meager .191 batting average this season.
Diggs, the 55th All-SEC honoree in school history, is slashing .314/.451/.566 with 10 home runs and a team-leading 56 RBI through 51 games this year. The true sophomore, who leads all Razorback batters in walks with 41, has racked up 55 hits, including 12 doubles and one triple. During SEC play, Diggs has posted a .291/.437/.495 slash line with three homers and a team-high 33 RBI in 30 league games.
Wood, the 56th All-SEC selection in program history, is 2-0 with a 3.81 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 28 1/3 innings this season. The right-hander leads the Hogs in saves with five, all of which have come in SEC play. Wood is just the fourth Arkansas freshman pitcher since 2003, Van Horn’s first year at Arkansas, to record at least five saves in a season.
Josenberger, the 57th All-SEC selection in Razorback history, earned All-Defensive recognition in the outfield. A converted infielder, he has posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 116 total chances as the Hogs’ everyday centerfielder and recorded a team-leading seven outfield assists while helping turn five double plays.
Smith also secured a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team alongside Josenberger. The Razorbacks’ ace has not committed an error on the mound this season and limited opposing base runners to just two steals all year.
– 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.
It was the first points night of the year and it did not disappoint.
It took a few laps and six Cautions for various incidents for Andy Milliken to make his way to the front and keep it as he drove the #327 Monte Carlo to victory lane in the Medieval Chassis USRA Stock Car class. After a battle for the lead with Alma’s Brandon Hunter a Caution came out bringing the field together. Hunter would take the #1/4 to the pits with an overheating issue. From there it was Milliken, Chad Abernathy out of Mt. Ida, Andy Morris, and Mena’s Bruce Busch in 4th. This was Busch’s first race back at Tri-State since 2009. “Most of the guys racing today don’t know how intimidating it was to see that 92 (Bruce Busch) to roll through the pit gate. They’re fixing to learn it all over again.” Milliken said in a post on Social Media. Bruce Busch was 2001 winner of the Super Stock Showdown at Tri-State.
Andy Milliken RNN Sports Photo
In B-Modified, Cody King would take the win in his Franklin Chassis Modified. King would start on the pole with Hindsville’s Dan Culp to his right. Culp would spin in front of the field and the rest of the racers would miss him. On the ensuing restart Culp, Dody Luu, Jayme McGarrah, and Ty Evans would come together coming to the Green. Those 4 would continue on. The C02 of Caleb Barker would provide some fireworks for those in turns 3 & 4 when his car would get up on two wheels and then head for the wall, bringing out another caution. The 4th caution would come out after the restart when 6 cars would come together as they ran closely. There would be one more caution before Cody King would get the checkered flag. Hackett’s Jacob Campbell would edge out Dalton Ragsdale for second. Christopher Theodore and Kevin Guinn would round out the Top 5.
Cody King RNN Sports Photo
The fastest A feature of the night belonged to USRA Modifieds. Watts, Oklahoma native and Multi-Time United States Modified Touring Series champion Jason Hughes put on a clinic for everyone in the Modified class. Hughes would take the lead from Mike Hansen out of Dickinson, North Dakota on the first lap and it was all Hughes from there. No cautions, no mistakes as the 12JH of Jason Hughes took the checkered flag in the 20 lap feature. Mike Hansen, Jake Davis from Hackett, Trevor Hughes, and Jared Russell out of Wagoner, Oklahoma were the rest of the Top 5. Greenwood Alumni Michael Hines and Jason Payton would finish 6th and 10th on the evening.
Jason Hughes RNN Sports Photo
Talihina driver Tyler Kirkes looked to have the race won, but a cut tire ended his night surrendering the lead to Andrew Bohannon out of Stigler, OK. There would be several cautions that would bring the field together and challenge Bohannon for the lead. Grant Davis, Rocky Cox, Dallas Bourland, and Chad Abernathy are the rest of the Top 5 finishers in Sunoco USRA Factory Stocks presented by PG Roofing.
Andrew Bohannon RNN Sports Photo
The USRA Tuners would be the night cap race Chris Tuck in a Honda Prelude would take the win. With the other 4 racers either not starting the race or disqualified for rules infractions.
Chris Tuck RNN Sports Photo
Memorial Day Weekend Tri-State Speedway will play host to the “A Night To Honor” to honor all past drivers and veterans. 2023 Tri-State took on a different format as the Kegger and points championship nights were to be the two races honoring legendary promoter Cecil Harlin and track founder Tillman Evans respectively. As a way to honor Veterans and all of those that have raced at Mighty Mouse and Tri-State Speedway, owners Michael and Jerri Hoover created the Night to Honor. Allowing whoever wants to make a memorial lap during the playing of the Anthem to do so. All five USRA sanctioned classes will be in action that night.
Jeff Metcalf & Bruce Busch RNN Sports PhotoTyler Drummond, Grant Holman, & Brent Holman RNN Sports PhotoBrandon Hunter RNN Sports Photo53 Tye Hollingsworth, 00 Cason Harris, and 25 Ryan Adams RNN Sports Photo4 Chad Abernathy and 182 Grant Davis RNN Sports Photo
Friday night Greenwood High School held its Graduation in the H.B. Stewart Arena
In an almost complete unison, thousands of phones rang that same heart racing inducing ringtone “TORNADO WARNING”. As the voices grew louder in the Arena, Principal Dr. Joshua Ray stepped up to the mic and said “We are going to take your children inside the school for their safety. Once we have escorted them out you are able to go to the Tornado Shelter.” It was beginning to be a fitting send-off for the last group of students that had their High School lives met with uncertainty due to Covid. Now, Graduation was possibly uncertain.
The parents did not move, see real estate was key at Graduation. Usually the ceremony is held on the Football field and it has more than enough capacity for the over 5,000+ that arrive. The H.B. Stewart Arena holds 2,200, no one was giving up seats. Up until 2020, if graduation was held in the Arena, every single seat would be filled. On Friday night, every seat could have still been filled, but now people are cautious and left seats open between groups.
Principal Dr. Joshua Ray RNN Photo
Before the students arrived back in, Dr. Ray once again came back to microphone and said “Let’s have a Graduation!” The ceremony started nearly on time even with the Tornado delay. Senior class President Rylie Holland gave the Welcome speech. Longtime Greenwood Educator Jo Ella Skaggs gave an entertaining address to the students and to their crowd many of whom she had taught in here 30 year career at Greenwood. This was also Ms. Skaggs’ last year at Greenwood. Senior Madelyn Wilkinson gave the Class Address.
Dr. Ray returned to talk about the educational accomplishments of the class. The 2023 class had 252 Graduates, while smaller than the last few classes there were 38 Distinguished Graduates with a 4.0 and above GPA. 83 Honors Diplomas. 19 Honor Graduates. Of the 252 Graduates there were 139 students that went K-12 at Greenwood, the largest amount so far. 3 students were National Merit Finalists (David Ambriz, Lily Williams, and Lucas Wittig). 52% of the class received scholarships, with $8.44 million offered and $5.86 Million accepted. 137 Students received the Arkansas Challenge Scholarship that is funded by the Arkansas Lottery.
Greenwood is in to the second week of their 3 Week 8 practice schedule.
The pads were popping on practice number 5 and 6, as the rust of the off season started to wear off. Returning to practice this week the players that had been playing baseball and were in the State Tournament the previous week. It was the return of Juniors Brady Pettigrew and Braden Skaggs on defense, and All-State sophomore receiver Grant Karnes. Karnes matched the effort on the diamond by being named All-State in baseball as well for his effort at Pitcher.
Several big catches were made by Junior Noah Chaser and Sophomore Grant Karnes. But the defense stood out during there live situational period of practice. Sophomore Kaylor Jasna had a big pass break up, as well as the defensive line stopping runs from Juniors Brayden Davis and Isaiah Niles. Freshman Running Back Wesley Raggio has been a pleasant surprise this spring getting some good reps behind the experienced Offensive Line.
“Things are going good. One of things we stressed this year is getting more physical as a football team. We’ve opened up a bit more, we do more live. Little bit more physical on the inside, and it’s spread throughout our football team.” Coach Chris Young said after practice.
While most of the talk on several different platforms of the upcoming season will center on the offense and the younger talent, it is the defense that will surprise people this fall. While losing a linebacker like Evan Williams and a Safety in Storm Scherry, it is the returning players that made up the 8-9 other spots that will grab headlines. “You got a lot of guys that can run and are strong, there’s going to be competition for playing time.” Coach Young said about the defense. “There’s five or six really good defensive ends, and only two of those guys will be able to fill those.”
There are two more practices, one on Monday and Tuesday before the this team is unveiled on Thursday May 25th.
The Spring Game will take place at Smith-Robinson Stadium. As the team did last year the opener will be the Jr. High and Freshman squads competing in a 7 on 7 for the skill players and lineman challenge. The upcoming 8th Grade team finished undefeated in their 7th grade season. While the upcoming 9th grade team had an up and down season. The Varsity team will take the field shortly after.
When the records are reviewed, the class of 2023 will go down as one of the most successful athletic groups to have worn a Mansfield uniform. Right now the salve of that distinction offers little relief on the sting of losing a close one. A really close one.
The Riverside Rebels out of Lake City squeezed off a 1 – 0 victory over the Mansfield Lady Tigers in the class 2A state championship softball game on Friday, May 19.
Kynslee Ward plays defense in a tough one run battle versus Riverside in the state finals.
Yes, that one hurt. For all the successes and all the state trophies already accumulated by this year’s Mansfield senior class, this title, the last available title, was the one the group wanted.
Many on the MHS softball roster had already graduated. Six said seniors walked the stage for their high school diploma almost two weeks prior to their final game of any sport. So, this one mattered. It really did.
Lady Tigers meet at the mound celebrating another strikeout served by junior Alyson Edwards.
Heartaches abound on the third base side of Farris Field at the University of Central Arkansas. That’s where Mansfield seniors Brooklyn Adams, Natalie Allison, Serenity Chick, Skylynn Harris, Alayna Turner, and Seven Sanderson joined teammates and coaches to accept the runner-up trophy of a one run decision no one saw coming.
Skylynn Harris takes a bead on a Rebel pitch.
Mansfield’s Lady Tiger softball team was red hot coming into the state championship game versus Riverside. Since March 17, the team had reeled off 24 straight victories and collected conference, district, and regional championships along the way.
Riverside was good but they came into the title match with a blemish. Despite 23 wins against only 4 losses they weren’t even champions of their own 2A-3 conference. East Poinsett County, a team Mansfield dismantled in the state semifinals 14 – 4, held that distinction.
Alyson Edwards sends the heat at the class 2A state softball championship game.
What they did have was pitcher Klaire Womack in the circle. And, she was terrific.
Womack was engaged in a classic pitcher’s duel with Mansfield’s Alyson Edwards. Between the two pitchers, 34 batters were sent back to the dugouts with recorded strikeouts.
Womack registered 18 strikeouts giving up only 2 hits and 2 walks. She was the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Mansfield senior Brooklyn Adams played a big role in the Lady Tigers’ 24 game winning streak this season.
Edwards dished out 16 strikes against only 3 hits given up. Had the game’s outcome swung the other way, she too might have earned the game’s MVP honors. She was that good.
That extra hit was huge. In the top of the sixth inning a bloop single to left field sent Riverside’s Annalee Qualls from third base to home. It proved to be the only run scored in a gut-wrenching seven inning nailbiter.
Brooklyn Adams has a great view of the game from behind the plate as she catches another high heater.
Qualls boarded the bags with a one out single. A pitch that got away moved her to second base. There she waited until Riverside head coach TJ Eakins called for a sacrifice bunt to be laid down.
Kaylee Cox put the bat on the ball to execute a perfect bunt to advance Qualls to third.
“We got a perfect sacrifice down and got the runner over to third,” explained Eakins. “All we needed was the ball put in play and McKenzie (Thomas) came in and got a big hit. That is just what we needed.”
Mansfield softball assistant Kaylie Pyles and head coach Donnie Eveld are shown taking Farris Field on the UCA campus in Conway.
McKenzie Thomas’s hit was the Rebel’s third and final ball put into play. It proved to be the deciding factor.
Mansfield had its best chance to respond in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, junior Kynslee Ward smacked a double to right center giving the Lady Tigers a well needed base runner with hard hitting Edwards up next.
Eakins knew the scouting report on Edwards. He gave Mansfield’s leading home run hitter a free pass to first with the intentional walk.
“I do not think anybody in the ballpark would have pitched to her in that situation,” reviewed Eakins. “If we were going to get beat, it was not going to be by their best hitter.”
Mansfield’s all-time winningest baseball and basketball coach, Bill Frye, was in the audience. He was there to watch the softball playing daughters of many of his former players. His take on the situation went even deeper.
“No doubt, Edwards is a great player,” commented Frye. “You walk her there because she can beat you with one swing. It also triples the chances for the defense to get an out since now you have a forceout on all the bags. He (Eakins) knew what he was doing.”
The strategy worked as the Mansfield pair stood stranded as Womack registered yet another K. In the bottom of the seventh, the MVP pitcher hurled what seemed even harder throws to the plate with the view of their team’s first state championship squarely in sight.
“They just got us out of our game,” said Mansfield head coach Donnie Eveld who had guided his troops to their second state finals in the past three seasons. “We had a great run through the playoffs. Great team and a great group of girls.”
Ward, one of two Lady Tigers to put the ball in play offensively, said she will miss the seniors that have helped her grow up.
“Gonna miss these seniors,” offered Ward. “I’ve grown up with these girls the past six years, some even more. The memories we’ve made, the team bonding, the ups and downs, bus rides, blogs, and most of all the fun practices we’ve had. Sad to see them go but can’t wait for the next chapter in their life to start”
Skylynn Harris, the only other MHS batter to register a hit, did so early in the game. The senior sent a pop up just over the third baseman’s reach. It landed just fair inside the boundary line dropping in front of a charging left fielder.
“Our record was 28 – 4,” reflected Harris on a terrific season. “Ended up conference, district, and regional champs. We just fell short of that state title. We had an amazing season that I will always remember.”
Mansfield just couldn’t get a straight bead through the high strike zone that seemed consistently open during the state finals with Riverside. Bat after bat nicked the underside of the ball sending multiple foul balls directly over the backstop.
Lady Tiger Brooklyn Adams had an up close view of the liberal strike zone. She sat firmly behind the plate as one of the state’s top rated catchers. She also manned the batter’s box as the team’s two hole hitter in the batting order.
“Adams can really throw the ball,” described Frye as he observed the oldest daughter of John Adams, one of Frye’s former Mansfield baseball players. “The whole team looked like a college team during warmups. Very entertaining, very impressive. They looked good.”
Adams was no doubt one of the most engaged players on the field. Her fist pumps were passionate each time battery mate Edwards engineered another strikeout.
You could see what Frye saw as the college bound catcher put plenty of zip on the ball. Just swinging it around the horn, that ball really seemed to pop even as it reached the first glove of an infield celebrating another rung up Rebel.
“Even though I’ve played in multiple state championship games, this one seemed to mean a lot more since it was my last one,” stated Brooklyn Adams. “My nerves and emotions were definitely a little high during this game. I was heartbroken that we couldn’t pull it out.”
Adams, like so many others on the team, has had a strong hand in Mansfield High School’s recent successes. Just this school year alone, the senior class of women athletes won or shared conference championships in every sport. They posted high level state results in every sport as well with no team finishing below fourth place in state competition.
In chronological order, the volleyball team won its third consecutive state title with another unblemished tournament run. The cross country team was third in state after two previous years as state runner-up. Indoor track won its second consecutive state title. The basketball team made it to the state semifinals. They lost to eventual state champion Mt. Vernon-Enola in those final four matchups. The outdoor track team was state runner up sending five players to the Meet of Champs. Then finally, the school’s softball squad brought home the runner-up state trophy for the second time in three years.
“Even though we didn’t win, I realized this season was surreal,” said Adams, showing the maturity of a senior moving on to the next level. “We truly played the best softball that we’ve ever played. We had a 24 game winning streak. You can’t ask for much more than that.”
“Most of all, I’m proud of this team and all the adversity we overcame,” the Carl Albert signee continued. “I’m also proud of the underclassmen that stepped up when we needed them the most. I couldn’t have asked for a better senior season with the best group of girls.”
The sting of losing the last game of the year no doubt hurts. To that, it’s been said that “pain from loss is inevitable, but suffering is optional”. Review the record, this group does not suffer. They reload for another day. When they graduate, they leave a blueprint on how it’s best done for next generations.
Note to Our Readers:The following story was sourced directly and in its entirety from Mr. Glenn Parrish, Director of Communicaitons, Booneville School District. Mr. Parrish is a RNN Sports contributor, and we thank him for bringing this story to our readers. And on behalf of all of us at RNN Sports, we congratulate the Booneville Lady Bearcats on winning the Class 3A state softball championship!
If you’re looking for a hero from Saturday’s Lady Cat 4-3 state championship win over Atkins there is an obvious place to start.
Lexi Franklin, despite being inadvertently hit in the head with a bat by a teammate during an off-site batting practice, threw a complete game in which she allowed six hits and two earned runs. She struck out three, including the final Lady Red Devil hitter of the day.
“We stopped at a park down the road and (Franklin) got hit in the eye and had to get six stitches. She got here like 20 minutes before game time and she threw a heck of a game,” said head coach Chad Simpson.
Simpson explained the reason for the stop before the game was because popup nets for hitting were prohibited at Farris Field on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas, the host of the weekend of champions.
“They were hitting and all of a sudden she’s bleeding. I was freaking out . She told me before she left she was coming back no matter what,” Simson adds.
Franklin, who was named the MVP of the game, was also perfect at the plate. She was 1-for-1 with a double and was intentionally walked three times (shown above tossing the bat away after the third free pass).
Her double off the fence in left came leading off the second inning and was followed by a throwing error with sophomore catcher Roni Tillery at the plate that allowed Franklin to move to third.
Tillery grounded out to score Franklin with the first run of the game and is another of the hero choices. Tillery would later have a second RBI that proved to be the game winner.
With the bases empty after Tillery’s first RBI, Cam Parrish singled but she would be erased on a fielder’s choice grounder by Kylie Lunsford.
A wild pitch got Lunsford to second and a double by Karmen Kent doubled the lead to 2-0.
Kent, a senior, is another choice for hero. Hitting eighth in the order, Kent was responsible for three of the seven Lady Cat hits.
Karmen Kent encourages her teammates after reaching second base safely in Booneville’s state championship win over Atkins (RNN Sports Photo / Glenn Parrish)
“Oh wow,” Kent said after the game. “I don’t keep up. It was like Raymond Turner used to tell us, ‘hit that yeller thing.’ You’ve got to hit it to get on base.”
Atkins took a 3-2 lead in the third. A double to center started the inning and a triple over Kent in right put the tying run at third. A two error play – the Lady Cats committed four – tied the game and a single gave Atkins its first lead at 3-2.
“We kind of reverted back to our old ways a little bit,” said Simpson. “We made a few errors. We kept telling the girls you’ve got to brush it off. These girls have responded the last few weeks. I’m just so proud of them.”
After a circle visit by assistant coach Bailey Stringer, Franklin got an infield popup and a fly to center to end the inning.
Kent beat out an infield single to start the Lady Cat fourth and moved over when Presley Walker drew a walk. Kent moved to third when Layla Byrum worked another walk, but she would be out at home on a ground ball by Smith for the first out.
Leigh Swint, whose mother was on the 2004 state title team, delivered a ground ball that would get Walker home with the tying run home.
But with first base open Franklin was intentionally walked to reload the bases. Tillery was patient earned the walk that force in the go-ahead run.
Tillery admitted it was a little aggravating to be the preferred option at the plate and said she was trying to look for, “my pitch. I just wanted to get on base and get her in.”
Her was Byrum, who was frustrated throughout the day but the four-year starter at shortstop worked through it and was happy to trade a personal subpar day for a title with her team.
“I’m literally losing my mind,” Byrum said during the postgame celebration. “I got down on myself – the hitting the fielding, everything. But this is worth it.”
Franklin worked around a leadoff single in the Atkins fourth and Atkins was able to negate a one-out triple by Smith in the Lady Cat sixth – after intentionally walking Franklin again – and it was still 4-3 going to the seventh.
Kent beat out another infield single in the top of the inning but was stranded.
After Franklin got a fly ball to Kent in right and a ground ball to Swint at third, the same position her mother played, on back-to-back pitches she was within an out of a title.
Franklin had the Atkins cleanup hitter in an 0-2 hole but after two balls and a foul ball, another ball ran the count full, so Tillery called for a time out and went to the circle.
“I told her we needed her,” Tillery said of the visit. “I said you’ve got this.”
The next pitch was low but swung at and missed with Tillery throwing to Smith to complete the out and the title.
NASHVILLE, TN – The Razorbacks are 2023 SEC champions.
Despite a 7-6 loss in the series finale against No. 12 Vanderbilt (37-17, 20-11 SEC), No. 2 Arkansas (39-15, 20-10 SEC) secured its fourth regular-season SEC championship on Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Field. The Razorbacks split the title with No. 4 Florida (42-13, 20-10 SEC) after both teams finished the season with an SEC-leading 20 wins.
Arkansas clinched its second SEC title in the last three seasons and its fourth in school history (1999, 2004, 2021 and 2023). The Razorbacks also won their eighth SEC West title, four of which have come since 2018. Dave Van Horn has led the program to seven division championships and its last three SEC titles since becoming head coach in 2003.
For the third day in a row, Arkansas scored first against Vanderbilt, breaking through for a pair of runs in the top of the second. The two-run advantage would not last long, however, as the Commodores benefitted from a go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom half of the frame off Razorback starter Hunter Hollan, who went 2 2/3 innings on Saturday.
Vanderbilt extended its lead to 4-2 in the third, but Arkansas would put up a four-spot in the top of the fifth to regain its second two-run advantage of the ballgame. The Hogs put together a rally with RBI singles from Kendall Diggs, Brady Slavens and Peyton Holt as well as an RBI groundout from Caleb Cali, opening a 6-4 lead after five innings in Nashville.
In relief of Hollan, veteran right-hander Will McEntire provided stability with his 2 1/3 scoreless innings of work. The Bryant, Ark., native allowed just one hit and issued one free pass while striking out a pair of Commodore batters.
With McEntire out of the ballgame in the bottom of the sixth, Vanderbilt’s offense came back to life and scored three consecutive one-out runs. By the inning’s end, the Commodores had retaken a 7-6 lead.
The Razorbacks stranded a runner on base in the top of the seventh and left two more on in the top half of the eighth, failing to capitalize on several late-game scoring opportunities en route to their 7-6 loss in the series finale.
Offensively, Slavens led the charge with three hits and raised his season slash line to .303/.368/.546 in the process. Holt, meanwhile, went 2-for-4 with an RBI, collecting his fifth consecutive multi-hit game.
Arkansas is the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament and will play its first game on Wednesday, May 24, at The Hoover Met. The Hogs play the winner of Tuesday’s single-elimination game between seventh-seeded Tennessee and 10th-seeded Texas A&M.
– 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.
FAYETTEVILLE – After falling to Oregon, the No. 11 overall seed Arkansas Razorback softball team bounced back and defeated Notre Dame, 5-0, Saturday night at Bogle Park.
The Razorbacks advance to Sunday’s Fayetteville Regional Final at 1 p.m. vs. Oregon. Arkansas suffered a 10-4 loss against the Ducks earlier Saturday before taking on the Fighting Irish in an elimination game.
Arkansas moves to 40-18 on the season, marking its third consecutive 40-win season and the fourth total under head coach Courtney Deifel. Prior to Deifel’s arrival, the program had just two 40-win campaigns.
Game 1 vs. Oregon
It was a back-and-forth contest until the top of the fifth.
Oregon and Arkansas both scored a run in the first. Arkansas jumped on board in the bottom of the first thanks to Cylie Halvorson’s sacrifice fly to center that plated Reagan Johnson from third to even the score at 1-1.
The Ducks regained their lead in the top of the fourth on an RBI single to make it 2-1. Arkansas quickly responded again off the crack of Halvorson’s bat. Halvorson parked a two-run home run for a 3-2 lead.
Oregon plated eight runs in the top of the fifth for a 10-3 lead.
Arkansas got a run back after Kristina Foreman’s solo home run, cutting the deficit to 10-4.
The Razorbacks utilized three arms in game one. Chenise Delce got the start and spun 4.1 frames, surrendering three earned runs on seven hits while compiling two strikeouts. Hannah Camenzind went 0.1 innings and gave up five runs on three hits. Callie Turner tossed the remaining 2.1 innings, limiting Oregon to one run on three hits while fanning two.
Cylie Halvorson paced Arkansas with three RBI along with a 1-for-2 offensive performance. Reagan Johnson, Raigan Kramer and Rylin Hedgecock peppered two hits apiece.
Game 2 vs. Notre Dame
In her 17th complete game of the season, Chenise Delce was phenomenal in the circle. Delce threw her sixth solo shutout of the year, limiting Notre Dame to three hits while striking out seven. The NFCA First Team All-South Region honoree worked around a walk and did not allow an extra-base hit across 7.0 IP.
Arkansas grabbed an early lead in the top of the first after Hannah Gammill drew a bases-loaded walk for a 1-0 lead.
Raigan Kramer increased the lead to 2-0 in the second, pounding an RBI single to center that scored Lauren Camenzind from second.
Rylin Hedgecock added insurance in the top of the seventh after blistering a three-run home run to deep left, which propelled the lead to 5-0.
Hedgecock excelled at the plate and tied her career high in hits, finishing 3-for-3 with a three-run home run. Hedgecock pushed her season home run count to 21, which ranks third in single-season program history.
Kramer had another strong outing at the dish. Kramer finished with a base hit along with two runs scored and an RBI.
Reagan Johnson and Lauren Camenzind chipped in a hit apiece. Mashing the third-most single-season hits in program history, Johnson’s season hits tally sits at 77 – four hits shy of tying Danielle Gibson’s 2022 record of 81. The Karnes City, Texas, native is also on a four-game hitting streak.
Up Next
Arkansas and Oregon meet in the Fayetteville Regional Final at 1 p.m. CT Sunday. The game’s TV designation is to be determined on ESPN’s Family of Networks. With an Arkansas win, game two will begin approximately 35 minutes after the first game concludes with TV designation to be determined on ESPN’s Family of Networks.
For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
– 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, Grace Tafolla.
Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department: Donavon Baker of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 14 at 8:35 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond May 14 at 11:09 p.m. Baker was charged with Domestic Battering Third Degree – Purposely A Misd.
Michelle LeAnn Childers of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 18 at 12:25 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Childers was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Misd., and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Ingest Meth/Cocaine.
Matthew Edward Murry of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 18 at 12:25 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond May 18 at 8:05 p.m. Murry was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Ingest, Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule VI Misdemeanor <4oz, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Store or Conceal – Meth/Cocaine, and Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g.
Cooper Garrett Plymale of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 20 at 4:18 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Plymale was charged with Domestic Battering Third Degree – Purposely A Misd.
Amber Danielle Price of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 16 at 1:41 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond May 16 at 8:28 p.m. Price was charged with Theft of Property <$1k.
Arresting agency – Lavaca Police Department: Cynthia Lynn Coltrain of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 17 at 10:45 p.m. and released on signature bond May 18 at 12:26 p.m. Coltrain was charged with Public Intoxication – Danger to self or others.
Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department: Linda Gail Gilliam of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 17 at 4:57 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Gilliam was charged with two counts of Overdraft/Violation Of The Arkansas Hot Check Law Misdemeanor.
Katrina Jolyn Haldane of Mulberry was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 19 at 11:33 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond May 20 at 2:17 p.m. Haldane was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Ingest Meth/Cocaine.
Misty Higginbotham of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 20 at 5:21 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Higginbotham was charged with Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Purposely.
Desirae Nicole Newman of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 18 at 1:10 p.m. and released to an outside agency on May 18 at 2:32 p.m. Newman was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Felony, No liability insurance-accident, Driving While License Cancelled/Suspended/Revoked, and Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office: Jeffrey Allen Gragg of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 15 at 3:51 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond May 15 at 6:36 p.m. Gragg was charged with aggravated assault, Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree, and Domestic Battering Purposeley.
Nathan Allen Mcguire of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 20 at 12:37 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Mcguire was charged with Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Purposely.
Donavon Lee Pace of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 18 at 8:40 p.m. and transferred to an outside agency on May 19 at 9:18 a.m. Pace was charged with Assist Outside Agency-Misd.
Randy Gene Phelps of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 19 at 2:05 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond May 19 at 8:22 p.m. Phelps was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Family or Household Member.
William Author White of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 19 at 3:48 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond May 19 at 8:41 p.m. White was charged with Criminal Mischief in the First Degree > $1,000 but < $5,000.
Johnnie Lee Witt of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 17 at 9:55 a.m. and released on May 19 at 9:30 a.m. Witt was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Arresting agency – Huntington Police Department: Joseph Kenneth Johnson of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 20 at 12:55 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Johnson was charged with Possession Drug Paraphernalia – Felony, Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g, Possession of Methamphetamine with the Purpose to Deliver >2g, and Parole Violation.
Arresting agency – Arkansas State Police Troop H: Richard Dakota Kepple of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 20 at 5:22 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Kepple was charged with Expired Vehicle License / Expired Tags, No liability Insurance, littering, Driving While License Cancelled/Suspended/Revoked, Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g, Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule VI Misdemeanor <4oz, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
Ashlyn Marie Self of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 20 at 5:26 p.m. and remains at the SCADC. Self was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule VI Misdemeanor <4oz, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
Arresting agency – Hartford Police Department: Melissa Sue Vanderbush of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on May 19 at 5:08 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Vanderbush was charged with Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms-weapon, Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g, and Parole Violation.
Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office: Charsley Kellar, 32 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 15 at 1 p.m. Kellar was charged with hold for drug court.
Toby Tygart, 60 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 16 at 10:14 a.m. Tygart was sentenced to ADC.
Marty Joe Robinson, 53 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 17 at 11:56 a.m. Robinson was charged with domestic battering in the 2nd degree, and aggravated assault on a family or household member.
Donovan Pace, 26 of Greenwood, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 19 at 10:42 a.m. Pace was charged with failure to pay.
Christopher Grigsby, 25, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on May 20 at 10:15 p.m. Grigsby was charged with disorderly conduct, and criminal mischief in the first degree.
**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**
“I loved every part of it,” impressed Mansfield sophomore Laney Wood as she reflected on the last time she and her sister Jadelynn competed together. “I love that I was able to compete one more time with my sister. I wouldn’t have made it through this track season without her.”
The emotional bond between sisters Laney Wood and Jadelynn Wood runs deep. Their high school track coach, John Mackey, says their passion for the sport of track and field runs just as deep.
Both athletic intensity and personal connection characteristics from the two Mansfield Lady Tigers was on full display as the pair represented Mansfield at the state’s annual heptathlon-decathlon on May 17-18.
“My last meet was amazing,” confessed Jadelyn Wood, a senior that had actually graduated nine days early as part of the Mansfield High School class of 2023. “Our time together was spent making memories, cracking jokes, and pushing each other to be better. It was bittersweet to compete with her one last time, but we enjoyed every second of it.”
Assistant Susan Martin helps Head Coach John Mackey as Mansfield track stars Jadelynn Wood and Laney Wood compete at the 2023 state heptathlon.
“It was great to go out and compete with amazing athletes from all over the state,” continued the older of the two siblings. “The whole experience was just amazing. It was life changing.”
The sister act has made enormous contributions to the Mansfield track and field program as well as the cross country program over their time competing for the same team.
This season, as sophomore and senior, the pair helped the indoor track team repeat as the indoor state champions. They brought home the outdoor track state runner-up trophy. They pushed their team at the state cross country finals up to third place.
Mansfield players Jadelynn Wood and Laney Wood meet Arkansas Razorback, SEC decathlete and current collegiate record holder Ayden Owens-Dellerme. Owens has scored 8,528 points in decathlon competition and was kind enough to give the Lady Tigers a pep talk before competition.
Last school year, the pair joined forces as a freshman and junior to earn the school’s first indoor track state title since 2014. They also brought back the state runner-up trophy in cross country for the second consecutive season.
“They have been incredible together,” said retiring Mansfield mentor John Mackey. “This year in particular those two were peas in a pod. They were each other’s best friend and unabridged motivators. Their close bond was evident from the start of summer practice to the last race.”
“It’s pretty cool how people react to meeting them, and notice their similarities,” expanded the head coach. “We visited our friend Coach (Gaile) Hainley at the physical therapy center on the way home from the heptathlon. Those nurses there swore the sisters were twins since they looked and acted so much alike.”
The coach added another example of mistaken perception when he cited a trip to the Mena Bearcat Relays back in April.
Mansfield track coach John Mackey coaches his last track meet at Fayetteville’s heptathlon with Jadelynn and Laney Wood. Mackey will officially retire at the end of the school year.
“The ladies working the scoring computers in Mena thought the same thing about being twins,” stated Mackey. “They gushed about how similar the two were, how polite they were, and how athletic they were. Jadelynn and Laney will make positive impressions.”
Asan end of the 2023 track season, the coach entered the two Lady Tigers into the state heptathlon. It was a two day specialty event conducted in Fayetteville at the high school track facility near Ramey Junior High.
Over a two day period the pair would go head to head with some of the best track and field athletes statewide in seven skilled events. Those events included the 100m hurdles, long jump, discus, and 200m dash on day one. The high jump, shot put, and 800m run would conclude day two.
Jadelynn, the older of the sisters, showed experience matters. The recent graduate increased her last year’s heptathlon point total by 322 points and moved up 12 places to 36th place overall. Her point total for this year’s contest was 2,981 points.
Jadelynn’s top two producing events at this year’s show came from personal records in the 200m dash and 800m run. Respectively the final races of each consecutive day surged her score by large amounts.
MHS track athletes Jadelynn Wood and Laney Wood remain close until the end. The sisters share a final moment as teammates on the last day of the state heptathlon. Jadelynn recently graduated as a member of the Mansfield class of 2023.
She ran the 200m dash in 28.51 seconds for 591 points. She finished the 800m run in 2:43.86 for 529 points.
“Today, I competed in my last ever high school track meet,” recalled Jadelynn at the conclusion of day two. “It was really good. I had a really good day. It was even better when all my hard work paid off with two PR’s and winning my heat in the 800.”
Before her last high school meet was over, Jadelynn acknowledged that she wanted to win at least one event in her group. That happened in her final race.
In the 800m run, the blue eyed senior led from start to finish. Giving credit to her 4x400m relay experience, the Lady Tiger captain was more than capable of avoiding the proverbial monkey that track purists say can jump on your back down the home stretch.
Impressive throughout the entire two lap race, Jadelynn was first in her heat just like she had wanted. Among all small school times, she was third. Among all contestants, she was 22nd overall compared to all 800m times.
“Jadelynn absolutely loves track,” shared Coach Mackey as he recalled his team captain’s final race. “Her grin stretched as wide as her dimples would allow. She was elated with her performance. She was thrilled to be racing. She loved the fact she was able to compete with and against her baby sister one more time. I’m proud of them both.”
Laney Wood saw the heptathlon as an opportunity to prolong her time with her favorite player on the team. Like a warm blanket on a chilly track night, her snuggled security was worn with the warmth of big sister’s support.
“I’m so thankful I was given this opportunity,” said Laney. “I’m so thankful for one extra track meet with my favorite teammate and coach.”
The two Mansfield players were assigned different flights at the heptathlon. That didn’t keep them from keeping a watchful eye on each other’s progress.
“It was great getting to run with my baby sister,” proclaimed Jadelynn. “I really enjoyed watching her challenge herself and compete in events that she wouldn’t normally do.”
Laney, a two time All-State cross country runner, was partly out of her element at the specialty track event. Her typical track meets center around distance racing, the pole vault, triple jump, and relay races. This meet required her to learn six of the seven events on the fly.
Notwithstanding, the first time multi athlete still scored 2,483 points for 48th place overall in the heptathlon. Her best results came from a 2:49.49 mark in the 800m run for 469 points. She also showed an innate ability in the shot put with a 27’ 2.75” toss of the 4 kg ball for 419 points.
“Laney is the next leader,” commented Mackey. “I believe the lessons learned these past few seasons will give her a new maturity and a reason to take the reins. Her sister taught her well. She’ll want to continue to make her proud.”
Before the heptathlon began, both sisters received an unexpected pep talk from the collegiate record holder in the men’s decathlon. Ayden Owens-Delerme of the University of Arkansas stopped by the Arkansas Activities Association showcase track proceedings to give a few words of encouragement to all 125 athletes in attendance.
“I loved meeting the SEC champion,” said Laney. “It showed me that eventually your hard work does show up.”
“It was really inspiring to meet the SEC champ, “ echoed Jadelynn. “To hear his story of how he became the great runner that he is today, I hope I have a story like that to tell one day.”
At this moment, Jadelynn knows her high school spikes will retire with great memories. Whether her running career is completely over remains to be seen.
The MHS graduate spent the day after her last high school competition touring the campus of Rich Mountain Community College. An offer to continue her racing career is on the table.
“I just got done meeting with Coach (Samantha) Shores,” read a text Jadelynn sent her high school coach on Friday, the day after the heptathlon event. “I had a great time today and I really enjoyed getting to know more about her and the school.”
A decision as to the direction Jadelynn Wood will take athletic career next remains unanswered. Only a hint of the future was left to decipher as the senior left comments on a video message after day two of her final high school event.
“I’m sad that it’s over, but I’m onto new things,” revealed Jadelynn’s video message. “There is hope for the future.”
