Home run seals Gravette victory

LINCOLN -- Gravette punched its ticket to Regionals beating Prairie Grove 12-1 at the District 4A-1 softball tournament held at Lincoln Thursday.

Gravette was bombs away once they broke the ice. The Lady Lions scored five runs in the third, beginning with a bases-loaded walk. A throwing error allowed a second run to score before Keeley Bulza drove in a third run with a single. Sumer Kaba's flyball was misjudged, allowing her a two-run triple.

Gravette coach Taos Jones didn't relax until the win was secured with a late 3-run homer.

"We were always afraid of Prairie Grove," Jones said. "They're very athletic. We were afraid of what they can do. Our girls came out and hit the ball. Bailey Elmore did a great job of keeping them in the strike zone."

In the fourth, Bailey Elmore's flyball was not fielded and two more runs scored. Gravette increased the lead to 8-0 on Emily Ellis' single. The Lady Lions ended the game in the sixth. Lexi Gerner drove in a run, then Elmore walked and Emily Ellis hit a three-run homer to give Gravette a run-rule win.

Jones enjoyed the moment, saying Ellis missed a bunt sign.

"I'm glad she missed the bunt sign," Jones said. "I gave her a bunt pitch before and she fouled it off. I'm glad she missed it. That was a great time to miss a sign."

No. 3 Gravette took an 8-0 lead after four innings and went on to a 12-1 victory over Prairie Grove.

The Lady Tigers tried to rally. Kylie Scott led off the sixth with a walk, moving to second on a fielder's choice and going to third on Makinsey Parnell's single. She scored the Lady Tigers' only run of the contest on a wild pitch.

"They did a really good job of not giving up," said Prairie Grove coach Brandy Carte, who acknowledged the leadership of her seniors playing in their last game.

"Our seniors, Kylie Scott and Katherine McConnell, have always been leaders," Carte said. "They are our strong leaders. Both really stepped up for us. Laney Layman with her pitching and Madi Vinson, they helped us out all year."

Sports on 05/02/2018