BENTON — There will be a rematch of last year’s state Class 5A softball state championship game in this year’s state semifinals.
The Sheridan softball team outlasted Vilonia 2-1 on Friday at Benton High School, setting up a semifinal game against Beebe on Saturday.
Sheridan coach Scott Hoffman said he wasn’t surprised to see his players battle through several tough innings on Friday, because they battle injuries and illnesses every day.
“They have to fight to play this game,” Hoffman said. “We don’t just walk out there. Yeah, we look talented and everything’s great on the outside, but if you knew what my girls go through just to play, then this is not a surprise. I’m just so proud of them.”
Vilonia (22-8) got at least one runner on base in each inning but struggled to bring them home, stranding 13 runners. The Lady Eagles loaded the bases in the third and sixth innings but grounded into a fielder’s choice the first time and popped out the second.
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Sheridan (22-6) senior pitcher Cooper Terry started the game and pitched the first 3.1 innings. She held Vilonia to 1 run on five hits and four walks with two strikeouts before swapping places with senior second baseman Chloe Clark, who closed the game with 3.2 shutout innings. Clark allowed four hits and one walk with two strikeouts.
Hoffman said Terry and Clark complement each other and are battling through the injuries they’ve had in their careers to lead the Lady Jackets to this point.
“Chloe has really not pitched much since her freshman year,” Hoffman said.
“She started hurting and ended up having to have hip surgery, reconstructive hip surgery, and she didn’t pick up a ball for nine months. She wasn’t allowed to do anything. Cooper’s pitching right now with a torn labrum. Man, the fight in those two. Man, I’m going to miss them.”
Both teams scored in the first. Sheridan shortstop Skylar Sterritt used her speed to score from second base on a groundout, while Vilonia shortstop Lila Toll scored on an error.
The game’s only other run came in the bottom of the fourth inning when Clark hit an RBI double to drive home catcher Marly Lancaster to give Sheridan the lead for good.
Clark’s hit was the only Sheridan hit after the first inning with Vilonia pitcher Lynnlee Rowan holding the Lady Jackets to three hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
The Lady Jackets will now face Beebe in the semifinals on Saturday. Sheridan beat Beebe 5-0 to win the state title last year.
Hoffman said he believes both teams are evenly matched.
“I respect the heck out of Coach Sara Flenor,” Hoffman said.
“She’s one of the best coaches in the state. I want to go on record and say that. Look, it’s just going to come down to who plays better tomorrow. I think it’s two very evenly matched teams. We gotta hit better, but if we can battle again like we did today, I feel good about our chances.”
Benton 15, White Hall 0
White Hall’s great season ended Friday against one of the state’s top teams.
White Hall (21-11) got through the first inning with the score at 0-0 after each team hit a single but nothing else.
The Lady Bulldogs led off the second with three straight hits, including a double by second baseman Sophie Stone, but an out on the basepaths and back-to-back strikeouts by Benton pitcher Rexie Crane ended the threat.
Benton (30-2) then scored 14 runs in the bottom of the second inning on nine hits and three errors.
Each spot in the lineup appeared at the plate twice, and each starter scored at least once. Second baseman Aubree Jackson and shortstop Lydia Bethards each had 3 RBI in the inning.
Jackson picked up her fourth RBI in the third to trigger the run rule and conclude the game, ending White Hall’s season in which the Lady Bulldogs finished second in 5A South behind Sheridan.
Baseball: Beebe 3, Sheridan 2
Stranded runners cost the Sheridan baseball team in the second round of the 5A state tournament.
Sheridan (23-8) loaded the bases with no outs in the second inning. Badger pitcher Jackson Edwards answered with back-to-back strikeouts before Sheridan center fielder Payton Sterritt walked in a run. Beebe second baseman Ty Farmer then ended the inning with a great leaping grab on a line drive, robbing the Yellowjackets of multiple runs.
The Yellowjackets loaded the bases with one out in the fifth. Right fielder Hunter Socia drove in a run with a fielder’s choice, but Sheridan again could only muster the single run.
Sheridan had another chance in the bottom of the seventh after moving two runners into scoring position, but Edwards got a pair of ground balls to deny the Yellowjackets a late comeback. In total, Sheridan stranded 10 runners.
Beebe (19-10) took a 2-0 lead in the second inning, then added another run in the fourth.
Sheridan relievers Zac Carson and Grant Shearer pitched a combined 3.2 shutout innings without allowing a runner, but the damage had been done.
