A baseball team seeking its fourth straight state title joins three elite softball teams in headlining southeast Arkansas schools in this week’s spring state tournaments.
The baseball, softball and soccer state tournaments run Thursday through Saturday at various locations. The state finals for all sports and classifications will be held next week at the University of Central Arkansas.
The Woodlawn baseball team (31-1) has won three straight state championships and is looking for another. The Bears’ lone loss this season came against Gosnell, a conference champ and 3A state tournament participant. After going undefeated in Conference 2A-8, Woodlawn dominated the 2A-South Region tournament to reach state.
The Class 2A state baseball tournament will be held at Palestine-Wheatley, and Woodlawn will start by facing Mountainburg (12-7) at 3 p.m. Thursday.
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In softball, Sheridan (23-2) went undefeated in the 5A-South Conference. The Lady Jackets are looking for their first state title since winning four straight from 2016-2019.
Sheridan’s only losses came back-to-back in mid-April, including a loss to Bryant in a matchup of the No. 1 teams from 5A and 6A. The Lady Jackets finished the regular season on a five-game winning streak, including an 8-1 win against back-to-back reigning state champion Benton.
Sheridan will face Van Buren (13-13) at 10 a.m. Thursday to open the 5A state softball tournament in Harrison.
In Class 4A softball, Monticello (23-1) didn’t lose until last week’s 4A South regional championship against Nashville. The Lady Billies still received a first-round bye and will play at 5:30 p.m. Friday against either Pea Ridge (22-5) or Brookland (17-9) in Gravette.
In Class 3A softball, DeWitt (22-2) went undefeated in Conference 3A-8, then went 3-0 at the 3A Region 4 tournament. DeWitt hasn’t lost since falling 5-2 at Sheridan on March 1. The Dragonettes will open tournament play at 10 a.m. Thursday at Majestic Park in Hot Springs against Rivercrest (12-8).
These headliners are among 21 teams representing 11 southeast Arkansas schools in state tournaments this week.
The Sheridan baseball team (16-13) will open with Russellville (20-9) at 12:30 p.m. in Harrison after finishing third in the 5A-South. The Lady Jacket soccer team (7-7-1) finished fourth in 5A-South and will face 5A-West champion Siloam Springs (15-3-1) at 10 a.m. in the first round at Lake Hamilton. Subsequent rounds will be played at Hot Springs Lakeside.
The Star City softball team (13-11) will face reigning state champion Gravette (16-10), in the first round at 3 p.m. Thursday in Gravette. In baseball, Warren (15-8) will open against Morrilton (26-4) at 3 p.m., while Crossett (19-8) faces Batesville Southside (20-11) at 12:30.
The Monticello baseball team (13-10), like its softball team, will play at 5:30 p.m. Friday after finishing second at regionals and earning a first-round bye. The Billies will face either Ozark (12-18) or Robinson (20-11).
Meanwhile, Robinson will host the Class 4A soccer state tournaments.
In boys soccer, 4A East champion Warren (7-4-1) opens against Wynne (9-3-6) at 11 a.m. Thursday. Monticello (4-7-2) faces Brookland (16-2-4) at 11 a.m., Star City (9-1-3) plays Southside (11-5-3) at 3 p.m., and Hamburg (11-6) takes on host Robinson (11-2-5) at 7 p.m.
In girls soccer, 4A East champion Hamburg (11-5-1) will open against Heber Springs (10-9-1) at 9 a.m. Monticello (3-6-4) will play Harding Academy (16-1) at 9 a.m., Stuttgart (10-5-1) will face Robinson (11-6) at 1 p.m., and Warren (7-5) opens against Brookland (14-4) at 5 p.m.
The Woodlawn softball team (19-9) will join its baseball team at state, opening against Magazine (16-11) at 5:30 p.m. at the Forrest City Sports Complex. Woodlawn finished second in the 2A South Region to Rison (17-4), who opens against Cotter (16-6) at 3 p.m. at Palestine-Wheatley.
Finally, the Hermitage softball team (8-9) will face Midland (16-11) at 3 p.m. Thursday to open the 1A state softball tournament at West Side Greers Ferry.