The Waldron Bulldogs sit 1-0 in their 2019-2020 baseball season after controlling their season opener against the Mena Bearcats on Monday night. The Bulldogs maintained a tight grip on the Bearcats during the entirety of the game sending Mena home with a 5-1 loss. “This first win was a good way to start the season,” explained head coach, Mark Brigance. “It gets the momentum going since baseball is a huge momentum sport.”
Taking their places on the pitching mound were seniors Seth Hunt and Payton Brown and sophomore Jayden McConnell. Hunt pitched four shut out innings to 18 batters striking out seven. McConnell worked two innings of relief throwing out 19 pitches to six players, and Brown closed the seventh inning with 16 pitches striking out three Bearcats.
Catching for the Bulldogs was Brown who “caught one stealing” and junior Braden Williams who “handled the catching allowing no pass balls on the day.“ Williams also scored two runs for his team. Junior, Caden Fuller, hit one off the right field wall to lead off the third inning. And “best on the day at the plate was Hunt, who went three for four with two doubles.” Waldron earned a total of seven putouts on the game with senior Ruben Valdez along with Brown each bringing in two and Hunt, McConnell, and sophomore Blake Owens scoring one apiece.
The next round for the Bulldogs will be on Thursday, March 5 at 3:30 p.m. in Horatio as part of the DeQueen Tournament.
For their softball season opener of the 2019-2020 school year, the Waldron Lady Bulldogs took on the Lady Sand Lizards at Dardanelle on Tuesday night. After seven innings with the third, fourth, and fifth innings seeing all the action, Waldron went home with a 4-3 win over Dardanelle. Last season, the Lady Bulldogs took a huge 17-9 loss against the Lady Sand Lizards so to say that this victory was much deserved and hard-earned would be an understatement. This was the first time since head coach Bailey Moore started with the Lady Bulldogs in 2016, that they have beat Dardanelle.
Although all of the girls kicked butt to win this battle, it was returning starting senior, Bayleigh Lipham who stole the show. “Bayleigh had an excellent game,” exclaimed Coach Moore. “She led the team with 2/3 at the plate and a 1000 OBP (on-base percentage). She also only had one passed ball out of 120 pitches. Bayleigh was a wall behind the plate!” Lipham also earned a run for her team along with seven putouts while on field duty.
Bayleigh Lipham
Also returning to the action are juniors Rheagan Sanford and Saige Mahar who each scored a run along with Sanford grabbing two putouts as well as Kadance Espinoza with four. Sophomores Ashtyn Moore, Kelsey Yother, and Jayden Manning combined for a total of eight putouts. And senior Ysaline Beguin picked up an assist. Junior Ashton Young is returning as pitcher this season and she is already off to a good start by keeping the opponents from running her field. Young catapulted out 120 pitches to 33 batters striking out six of them.
“We made some in-game adjustments at just the right time. I moved my previous 2nd baseman, Jayden Manning, to left field and she made a diving catch to hold runners and keep us in the game. I also moved my centerfielder, Ashtyn Moore, to right and she made a huge play taking the ball off of a hop and throwing the tying run out at home along with several other good catches! We struggled at the plate. We did just enough to keep us alive but we were sure rusty, to say the least. We faced a very good Dardanelle pitcher and she picked on some of our weaknesses. We plan to continue working on our offense and getting some practice in new defensive positions. The weather hasn’t allowed us to be outside much and it sure showed but this team has grit. We plan to keep improving from here on out!”
It’s back on the road again for the Lady Bulldogs as they prepare to take on the Booneville Lady Bearcats on Thursday, March 5 at 4:30 p.m.
After a Super Tuesday of tournament action, the Class 3A tournament goes into its second day at Charleston High School. The highlight of today’s schedule will be the appearance of the Charleston Lady Tigers in their first round game against Centerpoint. But first, here are the results of last night’s games.
The Valley Springs Lady Tigers defeated Fouke 77-53 behind the great play of guard Marla Moore. Valley Springs advances to the second round and will play the winner of today’s match between Lamar and Harding Academy.
The Valley Springs boys played in the final game of the night against the West Helena Central Cougars. In a fast-paced game that featured athleticism on both teams, Valley Springs went on to defeat the Cougars by the score of 78-63. Valley Springs advances and will play the winner of today’s game between Osceola and Little Rock Episcopal.
To view or download a copy of the updated boys tournament bracket, click here. To download a copy of the updated girls bracket, click here.
The Charleston Lady Tigers are scheduled to play tonight at 7 p.m. Their opponent will be the Centerpoint Lady Knights. Centerpoint enters the state tournament with an overall record of 23-6, and a final conference record of 10-2. Centerpoint, located in Amity, plays in the 3A-7 conference. Their conference schools include Prescott, Fouke, Ashdown, Smackover, Bismarck, and Genoa Central. The Lady Knights won their conference over second place Prescott who finished with a 9-4 conference record. Centerpoint, Prescott, Fouke, and Ashdown are all competing in this year’s state tournament. According to Max Preps, Centerpoint is ranked 38th in Arkansas across all classifications, and 6th in Class 3A. The top ten in Class 3A are:
Mountain View
Hoxie
Valley Springs
Charleston
Lamar
Centerpoint
Harding Academy
Bergman
CAC
Walnut Ridge
Every member of the top ten, with the exception of Bergman who was eliminated by Charleston in the regional, is represented in the state tournament. Any team in this year’s tournament is capable of beating anyone. Charleston will have the advantage of not traveling and playing all of their tournament games on their home floor until potentially playing in the final in Hot Springs. Not having your team travel back and forth to the tournament site, and keeping your kids in as close of a game routine as possible are all very important factors in the Lady Tigers having the opportunity to play in front of the home fans.
Charleston has a senior-filled roster that has playoff experience. The Lady Tigers are calm and do not panic. They should be energized from their home fans when they take the floor tonight.
The winner of tonight’s game with Centerpoint will advance to the quarterfinals against Central Arkansas Christian who soundly defeated Walnut Ridge on Tuesday.
Resident Press will again have updates throughout today with the results of afternoon and evening session games. Stay with Resident Press for the latest in state tournament basketball action!
And Charleston fans, tonight is your night…..turn out big and fill Tiger Center! Help the Lady Tigers advance to the next round and a step closer to a date in Hot Springs!
Cinderella has yet to make her appearance at the Class 3A state basketball tournament as no real upsets have taken place according to seedings. On day one of the tournament, the afternoon sessions, both in the boys and girls brackets have gone according to pre-tournament seedings with the exception of the third-seeded Gosnell boys defeating the second seed Little Rock Prep boys. Here is a summary of the afternoon games played on Day 1 of the tournament.
Girls Bracket
Hoxie defeated Little Rock Episcopal 45-32.
Central Arkansas Christian defeated Walnut Ridge, 65-49.
In tonight’s girls bracket game, Valley Springs plays Fouke at 7 p.m.
Boys Bracket
Rivercrest defeated Jessieville, 88-79.
#3 Seed Gosnell pulled the mild upset over #2 seed Little Rock Prep, 57-53.
In tonight’s evening session, in the boys’ bracket, Valley Springs plays West Helena Central at 8:30 p.m.
Check with Resident Press tomorrow for the results of tonight’s first round games from the Class 3A state basketball tournament.
Resident Press is your source for 3A state basketball action….all the way to next week’s state final!
The Scott County Quorum Court will meet in regular session on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 7 p.m. in the courtroom of the Scott County Courthouse.
AGENDA:
1. Call to order – Roll Call 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Reading, correction, and disposition of minutes 4. Public Comment 5. Judge’s report 6. Treasurer’s report 7. Sheriff’s report 8. Assessor’s report 9. Coroner’s report 10. Committee reports 11. Old business 12. New business
1. Appropriations and ordinances: A. Unanticipated Revenue – JP Bear Brigance
The 2020 Class 3A state basketball tournament is underway at Tiger Center on the campus of Charleston High School. The tournament began at 1 p.m. today with play in the girls bracket between Hoxie and Little Rock Episcopal. The Lady Mustangs defeated Episcopal 47-32 to advance to Thursday’s second round. Hoxie will play the winner of West Helena Central and Mountain View. That game will be played at 7 p.m.
Boys’ bracket games will begin today at approximately 2:30 p.m. with first round action featuring the Rivercrest Colts and the Jessieville Lions. The winner of this match will advance to the second round on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. to play the winner of Elkins versus Prescott.
The Charleston Lady Tigers will play their first round game on Wednesday at 1 p.m. versus Centerpoint. The winner of this game will advance to the second round on Friday at 1 p.m. to play the winner of the game between Central Arkansas Christian and Walnut Ridge.
Stay with Resident Press for updates throughout the week from the 3A state tournament in Charleston.
“It was not the ending that we wanted at all,” stated Hackett Sr High Hornets coach, Kent Elmore as he described the Hornets Regional gameplay attempt for third place. Hackett hit the hardwood against the Hector Wildcats and after four intense quarters, the Hornets took a 54-50 loss. “We had a 16 point lead at the half and was not able to finish it off. My guys left everything they had on the floor and that’s something I’ll always be proud of. We had a chance to still finish it at the end and the shots just wouldn’t fall. The great news is we get to do it all again tonight at State!”
Now for the first time in a decade, the 2A West Sr Hornets will attempt to lead their friends, family, and community to a State Basketball Championship. “The best thing is that we are apart of only 16 teams still left to play. We take on the England Lions in the 2A State Tournament on Tuesday, March 3 at 8:30 in Quitman.” The Hornets now sit with a season record of 10-17 and aren’t showing any signs of calling it quits just yet. “England is a great basketball team who won the whole thing last year. They are physical, athletic, and very disciplined. We will be prepared and ready to go. You don’t make it to the State Tournament by luck. My guys have prepared for this moment since I took over this past June and we still have a lot to prove!”
The winner of tonight’s battle will go on to face either the Bay Yellowjackets from the 2A North division or the Junction City Dragons from the 2A South division on Friday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m.
It was a beautiful afternoon in Paris on Monday. Heck, even the rain stayed away. Tim Johns and Marvin Wiggins were stationed just outside center field broadcasting on the Sportsbrew.net. And with everything in place and with great anticipation to the new season, Paris opened the 2020 softball season by hosting the Mansfield Lady Tigers. Equally anticipated was the first start of the year for Paris’s outstanding junior pitcher, Jadyn Hart…and she did not disappoint. In the non-conference start against Mansfield, Hart dualed Mansfield pitcher Maggie Strunk for five innings until the Lady Eagles were able to put the game out of reach. After nursing a one run lead for most of the game, Paris had a big 6th inning to eventually go on to a 5-1 victory to start the season. Jaydn Hart allowed just four hits in her season debut, and freshman Jayden Wells had an extra base hit and ran the bases well to contribute to the offense late in the game.
Mansfield’s pitcher, Maggie Strunk pitched a solid game until taking a line drive off her upper body late in the game. Strunk, a senior for the Lady Tigers, seemed to be ok after the play, and that is a good thing for Mansfield. She will be counted on heavily this season for Mansfield.
The Lady Tigers return home today to play their first home game of the regular season when they host Gentry on the campus of Mansfield High School. The Lady Tigers will wrap up the week on Thursday when they host the Lavaca Lady Golden Arrows. Paris could see the Lady Tigers again in mid-March as both teams will play in the Clarksville Invitational softball tournament.
Paris’s will now play two mid-week junior varsity games at Greenwood and at Fort Smith Northside. The Lady Eagles will jump into conference play early this season when they host the Two Rivers Lady Gators on Friday. Paris has a solid ballclub, led by its outstanding pitching, and the Lady Eagles should be ready to get their conference schedule off to a great start on Friday.
It is too early in the season for teams to be ranked across Arkansas and in Class 3A. A minimum number of games played is required before teams are ranked by Max Preps. But rest assured, Paris should be ranked high in Class 3A when the first set of rankings are published.
In other conference action on Monday, the Perryville Lady Mustangs also got off to a strong start by defeating Nemo Vista 12-2. The Lady Mustangs, as Coach Hart has predicted, have a lot of returning players and will be a contender with Paris for the conference title. Perryville will travel to Paris for a huge, early season match-up with the Lady Eagles on Thursday, March 12.
Two Rivers, who will be coming to Paris on Friday to open the conference season, had a home game scheduled on Monday with Guy-Perkins. As of the publication time of this article, the score of this game was not available.
The Paris baseball team traveled to Dover to play the Class 4A Pirates. Paris scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning to win their first game of the season 6-5. The Eagles baseball team is off to a great start. The team will make the short trip to Scranton to play the Rockets on Wednesday, March 4. Paris’s first home baseball game will be this Friday versus the Two Rivers Gators. Resident Press will have coverage of the Eagles on March 10 when they host the Lamar Warriors.
The weather should be great over the next several days. Friday should be a perfect day weather-wise for Paris’s first conference game when the host the Two Rivers Lady Gators. Come out to the ballpark and treat yourselves to a nice day outdoors and some outstanding Lady Eagles softball and / or Eagles baseball!
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Region IV Stream Team Coordinator, Matthew Irvin, recently met with East Lab students from Mansfield to teach them about land and water conservation.
Students Ashton Hinkle and Daniel Fox learned tips on preventing erosion, and maintaining clean rivers and streams. Irvin spent over an hour with the students, demonstrating water testing and how to plant trees and vegetation near sources of water to promote a healthy environment.
Mansfield Mayor Buddy Black visited the coordinator and East Lab students at the outdoor classroom at Mansfield City Lake.
(LITTLE ROCK, ARK.) – Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston urges all eligible voters in Arkansas to get out and vote in the Preferential Primary & Nonpartisan General Election.
To check your voter registration information, find your polling location, or view a sample ballot, you can visit www.VoterView.org. VoterView is a service of the Arkansas Secretary of State.
By state law, voter identification is required at the polls, so remember to have a photo ID with you when you go to vote. However, if you do not have your identification with you, you will still be able to cast a provisional ballot.
