Teams go to state but come up short of championship

WESTSIDE — Freshman Lindsee LaBrecque scattered five hits over seven innings to lead Gravette’s Lady Lions’ softball team past Valley View, 6-1, in state tournament action on Thursday.

LaBrecque (11-1) walked three and struck out four. Senior Shyanne Nichols went 2-for-3 with a 2-run double to lead the LadyLions offensively. Kyndra Meeker and Melanie Bunch also scored two runs each for Gravette.

The girls lost to Nashville at the state tournament in Nashville on Friday, 4-1, to finish their season.

BASEBALL

In baseball, Lonoke came from behind to beat Gentry 10-9 in its state tournament opener Thursday at Harrison.

GIRLS' SOCCER Mena 3, Decatur 0

Decatur didn’t go down quietly, but heat exhaustion and a lack of numbers silenced any noise the Lady Bulldogs attempted to make while exiting the program’s first trip to the state tournament. Decatur (7-7) held Mena to a 0-0 stalemate for nearly two-thirds of the match before wavering in the final 12 minutes.

DeQueen 3, Gentry 0

Gentry couldn’t pull off the upset, as De Queen forced the Lady Pioneers out of the post season. Gentry’s defense kept the match close for a half before De Queen came to life with a pair of late goals to put the contest out of reach.

BOYS' SOCCER De Queen 6, Decatur 0

Decatur fell behind early and never recovered, as the Bulldogs were ousted from the Class 4A state tournament. It marked the second straight appearance in the state tournament for Decatur. “I was pleased with the effort my kids gave today,” Decatur coach James Garner said. “We hung tough, but when you’re facing opponents with twice as many players as yourself, it always makes it that much more tough to succeed. I think we have grown a lot as a program in the last six years and it’s only going to get bigger.”Dardanelle 3, Gentry 0

The Pioneers just couldn’t get enough going offensively and were shut out in the opening round of the 4A StateSoccer Tournament in Little Rock. Gustavo Hernandez provided solid play for Gentry (6-9-1) in the match, which played without its coach.