WESTSIDE -- The Gravette Lady Lions ended their 2019 season quest for the state championship with a loss to the Brookland Lady Bearcats in the second round of the 4A state softball tournament in Batesville May 10.
Gravette faced an old nemesis in the championship round of the 4A West regional tournament on May 5 -- the Farmington Lady Cardinals.
After two scoreless innings for both teams, Gravette broke the stalemate with three runs in the top of the third. The Lady Cardinals countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning for a one-point deficit. Farmington tied it up in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run by Remington Adams. The Lady Lions fought back in the next inning with a single run to grab a 4-3 lead. But Farmington struck again in the bottom of the sixth with two big runs to take the lead for good, winning the 4A West regional tournament, 5-4, with Gravette taking the runner-up trophy once again.
In that game, Shylee Morrison led the way for Gravette with one run, two hits and one RBI, followed by Hannah Cole with one run, one hit and one RBI. Gravette had 28 at-bats, four runs, seven hits, three RBIs, three walks and six strikeouts. Cally Kildow pitched for Gravette, completing four innings and allowing four hits and two runs while striking out three and walking two. She was relieved in the fifth inning by Bailey Elmore, who completed two innings, delivered 29 pitches, allowed four hits and three runs (including a solo home run) while striking out one.
The Lady Lions had little time to lament over the regional loss, for it was on to the state 4A playoffs at Southern Batesville High School in Batesville May 9 for a 9 p.m. first round appearance with the Magnolia Lady Panthers.
Gravette 6
Magnolia 1
Lady Lions Kildow, Morrison and Sumer Kaba each scored one run in the third to take control of the ballgame, 3-1, over Magnolia. Three more runs in the sixth gave Gravette the first round win over the Magnolia Lady Panthers, 6-1, advancing the Lady Lions to round two against the Brookland Lady Bearcats.
Hannah Cole led the way for the Lady Lions with two runs on three hits, followed by Morrison who had two runs on one hit and three RBIs.
Elmore took the circle for Gravette, completing four innings and delivering 53 pitches. She allowed six hits and one run while striking out six. Kildow relieved Elmore in the fifth inning, completing three innings and throwing 47 times. Kildow had four strikeouts and two walks.
Brookland 2
Gravette 0
After a good night's sleep, the Lady Lions went on to a meeting with the Lady Bearcats in Batesville.
Brookland scored two runs, one in the first and one in the second, for a 2-0 win over Gravette, ending the Lady Lions' hope of a state title.
Lexi Gerner led the way with two hits for Gravette, followed by Gabbi Scott, Morrison, Kildow and Kaba with one hit each.
Kildow was in the circle for the Lady Lions. She lasted five innings and three 93 pitches, allowing four hits, two runs (one earned) while striking out six and walking two. Kildow was replaced in the sixth inning by Bailey Elmore, who finished the contest, throwing 17 pitches. She allowed only one hit.
The Gravette Lady Lions finished the 2019 season strong with a 17-9 overall and 5-3 conference record, including winning the 4A-1 district and 4A West runner-up titles.
Special thanks goes to Jennifer Ellis who provided the Lady Lions softball statistics this season.
Sports on 05/15/2019