Archive - Apr 2011 - Sports Article
April 12th
The Lady Hornets decisively won both games of a doubleheader Monday, remaining undefeated in the 7A Central Conference.
Bryant beat Mount Saint Mary 13-3 in the first game and 19-1 in the second — both ending after five innings, a required length for a game in 7A play.
Head coach Debbie Clark said, “In the first game especially, we did not strike out and scored every inning — two goals I have for every game, no matter who we play.”
The Benton Panthers tallied 18 runs on 16 hits to defeat Vilonia 18-10 Monday night at home.
Benton scored nine runs in the second, seven in the fourth and two in the sixth. Vilonia scored a run in the second, two in the third and three in the fourth.
The Benton Panthers scored nine runs in the bottom of the second inning to take a 9-1 lead.
Greg Pryor and Garrison Roy hit back-to-back home runs to lead off the inning and after a strikeout, Brooks Balisterri tripled. A home run by Ashton Roberts scored two more runs before Joseph Henry flew out.
April 11th
As the Masters Tournament came to an end Sunday in Augusta, Ga., I couldn’t help but think of a baseball game I went to years ago.
One Christmas, my family bought me two tickets for a game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
As someone who grew up playing baseball, this was an unbelievable gift, and one I was fortunate enough to enjoy with someone else.
As soon as I saw the tickets, I knew the only person I wanted by my side at that game was my friend Chris, whom I’ve known since we buddied up on the kindergarten playground.
After defeating El Dorado 14-2 Friday, the Benton Lady Panthers will face Greenbrier, the defending 5A State Champions, today at home if it doesn’t get rained out first.
“They are a very good ball club,” coach Eric Ryan said. “We will be tested today but games like today is what is going to make us better.”
Expected to pitch today is Lauren White, who pitched against Greenbrier last year.
“She had a very good outing against them and has really come along this year,” Ryan said. “She has shown more maturity this year and she has good control of her pitches on the mound.”
April 9th
For Bryant head softball coach Debbie Clark, junior Jenna Bruick embodies everything she wants in a player — and more.
The second baseman is a selfless, tireless worker whose "contribution to our program cannot be measured by stats or words," Clark said.
"Jenna is fearless and does not accept failure as an option."
As one of the "fab five" freshman from the squad two years ago, Bruick, 16, helped lead Bryant to a state championship last year.
The Benton Panthers defeated El Dorado 16-6 Friday night to move into a second place tie in the conference with Lake Hamilton after they lost Texarkana.
"It is a log jam, and I knew it would be," head coach Mark Balisterri said. "Our goal is to get the number one or number two spot. If we get second, we will still get a bye in the first round.
"That's what we are shooting for."
Benton broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the sixth inning, scoring seven runs to give the Panthers a 11-4 lead.
April 8th
HASKELL — After tying the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the fifth inning, it had appeared the Harmony Grove Cardinals had all the momentum. However, it would not be the case as Mayflower came out swinging, scoring a run in the sixth and seven in the seventh inning to defeat the Cardinals 14-6 at home Friday night.
“We are inconsistent,” Harmony Grove coach Brandon Kelly said. “As a coach, you can put them in a position to win and as players you can put themselves in a position to win, but if you don’t take care of business and get it done, then bad things happen.
BAUXITE — With timely defense and good base running, the Bauxite Miners beat De Queen 7-4 Friday.
The Lady Miners, however, lost 15-0 in four innings after giving up 11 in the first, three in the second and one in the fourth, never scoring once themselves and dropping down to a 6-7 overall record and 1-2 in 4A-7 Conference play.
Bauxite baseball head coach Michael Mattox said his team’s win, which took them to 10-8 overall and 2-2 in 4A-7 play, was “huge.”
“We really needed that,” he said.
Although the first part of the game Thursday was close, eventually Watson Chapel pulled away from Bauxite.
At the end of five innings, Watson Chapel was ahead four runs, 14-8, but scored two in the sixth and six in the seventh to win 20-8.
“They won by a couple of touchdowns,” Bauxite head coach Wes Mode said. “Still, I was really pleased with our hitting, but I was disappointed in our defense.”
Bryant senior Abbi Stearns signed a letter of intent Thursday to attend and play basketball for Central Baptist College in Conway.
Stearns has been a member of the Bryant varsity team for the past three years and started the past two. She said playing for the Lady Hornets has been a “real experience.”
Last week, Stearns was named to the 2011 7A Central All-Conference Team, which she also made last year as a junior. As this year’s lone senior, she led the Lady Hornets in rebounds, averaging eight per game. She led the team in rebounds as a junior, too.
