Farmington, Elkins roll into state softball tournaments
Posted on Friday, May 9, 2008
Experience and history is on the side of Elkins as it travels to Pine Bluff for the Class 3 A state softball tournament. Back-to-back state championships are on the line, and the Lady Elks have done nothing but prove they should be the favorite to take the championship again.
After all, no team has scored against the Lady Elks since a 7-2 loss at home to Gentry on April 17. And Amber Caywood tossed a no-hitter in their regional championship earlier this week and has been in the state championship game twice.
Elkins (26-2 ) has also beaten the favorite to win the 7 A title, Fayetteville, 10-0, earlier this season.
But today marks the turning of a new page, head coach Paula Wheeler said, as the Lady Elks take on Corning at noon at Regional Park in Pine Bluff.
"I think everybody is good in state, obviously," Wheeler said. "Everything I've heard about [Corning ] is that they're a solid team and we just need to come out and play."
Seven players from the Lady Elks' 2007 championship team return to the lineup today looking for a repeat. Led by Caywood, who has pitched every game except for one this season, Elkins went through the 1-3 A Conference with ease.
And Elkins' surprise runruling of Fayetteville - winner of the last two state titles in the state's largest classification - earlier this season may have been the springboard to Elkins' recent dominance.
"I think it really helped their confidence," Wheeler said. "Going into the game, they wanted to beat Fayetteville but I don't think they were sure they could. It was a big motivator and a big lift for our team."
Sophomore Kayleigh Harriman has also proved pivotal down the stretch. The youngster has at least two hits in the last three games.
"She's really come on strong as of late," Wheeler said. "But it's also been a combination of the entire lineup. It hasn't just been the top four batters."
Pitching continues to be the strongsuit of the Lady Elks defense, too. In addition to Caywood's shutout baseball over the last three weeks, she's won MVP awards on the district and regional level, and pitched a no-hitter in the 9-0 win over Charleston in their regional championship Tuesday.
And beware, she's pitching pain-free for the first time in two years, Wheeler said.
Two years ago, Caywood's two front teeth were knocked out in a regional game. The pain was nothing to smile about. Last year, back and shoulder pain hindered her onward to a state title.
"She's doing great right now," Wheeler said. "This really has been the first season that she hasn't been hurting. Overall, I think we're very focused. The players realize they have a chance to do something very few teams have an opportunity to do. "Farmington hoping to rebound toward 4 A crown In the 4 A, the Farmington Lady Cardinals are carrying a chip on their shoulder after losing in their regional championship to Clarksville earlier this week.
Losers for the second time this season to the Lady Panthers, Farmington will get to rest easy knowing Clarksville will be on the other side of the 4 A State Tournament bracket in Nashville. The two-seed Lady Cardinals open the first round today against Dewitt at 4 p.m.
Still, the 5-2 loss to Clarksville is haunting the Lady Cards.
"We didn't accomplish what we set out to accomplish," Farmington head coach Randy Osnes said. "We gave up one big inning and we dropped a ball or two, but we've bounced back in practice. We're ready. We're going on. Hopefully things will work out for us to meet them again in the state championship."
Ace Skyler Smith has been impressive throughout the season. The junior has struck out 149 batters in 144 innings and holds a 21-6 record.
Several batters in the Farmington lineup have come through as well as of late. Samantha Luther leads the team with a. 443 batting average, closely followed by Lacey Kragel at. 407 and Shelby Culver has 35 RBIs to lead the team.
"I'm not much of a numbers guy, but I can tell you this: As Sam goes, we go," Osnes said.
Farmington (24-7 ) enters this weekend trying to accomplish something only one other team in fast-pitch softball history has accomplished in the state - win three state titles. The Lady Cards last won the championship in 2005.
"We want to stay focused on our overall objective," Osnes said. "We know that any time you get to a state championship game, you have to play exceptionally good ball and have a little luck. We hope a lot of luck falls our way, but I know these kids will play at the best of their ability."
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