GENTRY — Gentry senior Eryan Beck is a three-time all conference star for the Lady Pioneers and is the team’s starting pitcher.

Beck is also an outstanding outfielder, said Gentry softball coach Marian Kilgore.

It’s too bad she hasn’t played there much in a couple of years for the Lady Pioneers. Well, maybe not too bad. Instead, Beck has been a constant in the circle for Gentry.

The 5-foot-5 senior, who started in the outfield as a freshman and earned the first of three all-conference honors, has only been off the pitching rubber for a few innings this season.

Constant indeed.

“She just has a lot of gifts,” Kilgore said of Beck. “She’s so versatile. She can play anywhere. She’s fundamentally sound with a great arm, good eyes and hands, just a quiet one with a lot of hustle and a good athlete. She’s also just so coachable.”

Beck (10-8) helped lead the Lady Pioneers to a tie for second in the 4A-1 Conference this season. Gentry was the No. 3 seed in the district tournament, which began Thursday at Prairie Grove.

Kilgore said the plan a year ago was to allow Beck to split time in the circle, but an injury to a teammate left Beck alone at pitcher. Kilgore said she embraced the role.

“She really took a lot of pride in saying ‘I can do this,’” Kilgore said. “This year she knows she has some help, but we’ve been able to leave the others where they need to be.” Beck said she doesn’t have much to say.

“I’m pretty quiet,” Beck said. “I keep to myself a little bit.”

But that quiet nature hides a tough competitor, Kilgore said.

“She’s as mentally tough a player as I’ve ever coached,” Kilgore said. “She never gets too high or too low, just real steady.”

Her teammates understand what Beck does for the team.

“She’s an amazing pitcher,” senior Marly Pierce said. “She pitches sometimes three times a week.”

Beck also keeps her composure in the circle.

“She’s not an overpowering pitcher, but she’s a very good pitcher who doesn’t get rattled,” Kilgore said. “She’ll battle, even if she gets down 3-0.” Beck understands her strengths.

“My consistency,” Beck said. “I think I’ve improved my curve a little bit this year. I think it’s my best pitch. But I’ve just been pretty consistent.” Profile Eryan Beck SCHOOL: Gentry CLASS: Senior HEIGHT: 5-foot-5 NOTABLE: Three-time All-4A-1 Conference selection and All-State pick as a junior. ... Leads team in RBIs and hits cleanup as well as pitches for the Lady Pioneers. ... Hitting .390 with an onbase percentage of .456.

Sports, Pages 9 on 05/05/2010