FAYETTEVILLE -- One big inning was enough for Gravette on Friday night. Gravette scored five runs in the second inning and went on to defeat Fayetteville, 7-0, in the first round of the Fayetteville/Farmington Invitational Tournament. The game was called after five innings because of a 70-minute time limit for the tournament.
Freshman Gabbi Curtis went 3-for-3 with a triple, a double and a single for Gravette, which outhit Fayetteville, 11-4. Winning pitcher Cally Kildow added a two-run home run for the Lady Lions.
"Gabbi is a kid who can fly," Gravette coach Taos Jones said of his leadoff hitter. "She's multi-dimensional and she's not intimidated by anyone."
Gravette (5-4) took command against Fayetteville (2-4) with five runs on five hits in the second inning. Kildow's home run and Curtis' three-run triple fueled the surge. Jaki Chalk, Bailey Elmore and Robin Davis each added doubles.
Gravette received help in the field from Fayetteville, which committed three errors in the first three innings. The Lady Bulldogs were particularly sloppy in the second inning with a dropped popup at third base and misplays in the outfield that allowed runners to take extra bases.
"You can't give good teams extra outs, especially teams with really good pitching," Fayetteville coach Jason Shirey said. "We dug ourselves a hole and we couldn't get out. Unfortunately, that's what we've played lately."
Gravette^150^01--^7^11^1
Fayetteville^000^00--^0^4^3
Kildow, Elmore (4) and Ellis; Richardson and Smythe. W -- Kildow L -- Richardson HR -- Kildow
Friday's scores
Maumelle 8, Fort Smith Southside 6
Conway 8, Nashville 6
Bentonville West 10, Gentry 0
Gravette 7, Fayetteville 0
Bentonville West 10, Gentry 0
Hallie Wacaser hit two home runs in her second straight game, and Anna Griffin added another as West rolled past Gentry during Friday's opening round of the Fayetteville-Farmington Invitational in Farmington.
Wacaser started the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run, then added a two-run shot in the third before Griffin hit her two-run shot later in the inning. Both players also had an RBI single as part of a four-run second.
Wacaser also shined in the circle, throwing a two-hit shutout through four innings and struck out four while walking two.
Pea Ridge 7, Gentry 1
The Lady Blackhawks broke open a close game with five runs in the sixth inning.
Keria Bryant was 4-for-4 with two doubles, a triple and two RBIs for Pea Ridge. Alli Whatley was 2-for-2 with a double.
Dominique Burwell earned the win in the circle, allowing four hits with five strikeouts.
Sports on 03/22/2017