July 27, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS –  Eli Berry and Wyatt Taylor put on a pitching clinic as Bryant claimed the 2024 American Legion Seniors State Championship at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.

Bryant came out of the elimination bracket to beat Sheridan twice on Saturday, first with an opening 5-2 victory, then a 4-1 win in the finale.

Feeding off the adrenaline of the first game, Bryant’s Rico Simmons started the game with a triple to left centerfield and scored on Braydn Coger’s ground out to short to put the Black Sox on top 1-0.

Again it was the Simmons/Coger arsenal that sparked a two-run third-inning for Bryant as the Sox increased their lead to 3-0.

Simmons led off with a single, stole second and scored when Hudson Thomason reached on an error. Thomason scored on Coger’s second hit of the game.

Bryant added a run in the fourth when Simmons picked up his third hit of the game scoring Aiden Stout who led off with a base hit of his own.

Meanwhile, Taylor was putting together a masterpiece retiring 11 of the first 12 batters he faced before walking back-to-back batters in fourth and giving up an RBI single to John Woodmansee.

Taylor went on to finish the game and pick up the win. The right-hander allowed just one run on seven hits and got a lot of help from his teammates as the Black Sox defense was solid.

Bryant forced a second game behind the pitching of Eli Berry.

Berry recorded his second complete game victory of the tournament, scattering six hits while allowing just one earned run.

For his efforts this week, Berry earned the AJ Burnett Outstanding Pitcher Award having pitched 14 innings, with a 0.64 ERA (1 earned run), allowing a total of eight hits and recording nine strikeouts.

Sheridan got on the board first in the top half of the third-inning as Zach Carson and Jace Bradshaw began the frame with back-to-back singles to right field. Following a successful sacrifice bunt by Maddax Johnston, Logan Ward grounded out to second base to plate Carson for the 1-0 lead.

The very next inning, Sheridan struck for another run when John Woodmansee led off with a single and advanced to third when the ball got past the centerfielder and rolled to the fence. Payton Sterritt drove in the second run of the game when singled up the middle to score Woodmansee.

After manufacturing a run in the fourth without the benefit of a hit, Bryant got the sticks going scoring two runs to take a 4-2 lead after five innings.

Simmons reached on a base on balls to lead off the inning before Coger laced a double down the left field line to score Simmons. Coger then scored when Hank Penfield singled up the middle. Bryant’s third run of the inning came on a wild pitch.

Sheridan’s Logan Ward was named the Fred Wetzler Most Outstanding Performer of the Tournament. Offensively, Ward collected 6 hits with a home run, drove in 6 runs and scored 5 times.

Ward recorded a complete game win earlier in the tournament, striking out seven batters while giving up just one run.

American Legion Baseball presented Conway with the Paul Shireman Sportsmanship Award.

Earlier this week, Sheridan Head Coach Mike Moore was presented with the Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Moore has coached baseball for nearly 40 years at Sheridan High School and for American Legion Baseball. During his illustrious career, Moore has compiled nearly 1500 wins including recording his 700th victory earlier this year at Sheridan High School.

Moore has led the Yellowjackets to three AHSAA State Championships in addition to winning several American Legion State titles at the AA and Junior levels.

Well over 100 of his players have played at the collegiate level at 27 different institutions, with two of his players going on to play in the Major League.

Moore has been a positive role model and his had a major impact on so many young men. His dedication to baseball and the American Legion is unsurpassed and he is truly an inspiration and great ambassador for the game.  

Bryant now advance the American Legion Regional Championships in Washington, Missouri, August 7 – 12.

 

GAME 1
BRYANT 5, SHERIDAN 2
Sheridan               001    100    0        2-6-1
Bryant                   000    131    X        5-3-1

E - Logan Ward(1); Colby Duncan(1). DP - Bryant 2.
LOB - Sheridan 6; Bryant 7. 2B - Bradyn Coger(1). HBP - Zach Carson; Bradyn Coger; H. Penfield; EJ Keith 2. SH - M. Johnston(1); H. Thomason(1); Jase Ham(1). SB - R. Simmons(4); Bradyn Coger(2); H. Penfield(3); James Settle 2(2). CS - C. Stanton(1).

 

Win - Eli Berry (2-0). Loss - Ben Harmon (0-1).
WP - B. Jarreau(1); Ben Harmon(1). HBP - by Eli Berry (Zach Carson); by B. Jarreau (Bradyn Coger); by B. Jarreau (EJ Keith); by B. Jarreau (H. Penfield); by Ben Harmon (EJ Keith).

Umpires - HP: Ian Hewitt 1B: Jay Muse 2B: Kenny Akin 3B: Corey Bowden
Start: 5 pm
Time: 1:52
Attendance: 311
Weather: 85, Cloudy

 

GAME 2
BRYANT 4, SHERIDAN 1
Bryant                   102    100    0        4-10-0
Sheridan               000    100    0        1-7-3

 

E - J. Bradshaw 2(3); Woodmansee(1). DP - Bryant 1; Sheridan 1. LOB - Bryant 6; Sheridan 7. 2B - Aiden Stout(1). 3B - R. Simmons(1). HBP - R. Simmons. SH - James Settle(2). SB - R. Simmons 2(6); James Settle(3). CS- Bradyn Coger(3); Jase Ham(1); Aiden Stout(1).

Win - Wyatt Taylor (1-0). Loss - M. Johnston (1-1).
HBP - by M. Johnston (R. Simmons).
Umpires - HP: Jay Muse 1B: Kenny Akin 2B: Corey Bowden 3B: Ian Hewitt Start: 7:20 pm Time: 1:35 Attendance: 311 Weather: 81, Partly Cloudy

BRYANT TO FACE SHERIDAN IN AMERICAN LEGION STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
July 26, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS –  Aiden Stout put together a brilliant pitching performance to help Bryant beat Conway 4-2 and advance to the American Legion Seniors State Championship at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.

Bryant will face unbeaten Sheridan on Saturday with the first pitch set for 5 p.m. with a second game, if needed, to be played at 7:30 p.m.

Stout was efficient on the mound not throwing more than 18 pitches in any one inning. The right-hander allowed two runs on five hits while striking out four batters. Before exiting the game in the seventh.

Bryant took a 2-0 lead, manufacturing a run in the first and plating another in the third with the help of a Barrett Royal single.

Conway banged out three hits in the third and got on the board on Lucas Carners base hit to cut the Bryant lead to 2-1.

The Black Sox picked up two more runs in the fifth as Hudson Thomason brought home the first run on a sacrifice fly scoring Colby Duncan who reached on a walk earlier in the inning.

Bradyn Coger then singled scoring the second run of the frame.

Conway chased Stout from the game in the seventh after back-to-back singles by Carson Zachary and Kaden Brooks.

Wyatt Taylor entered the game and was able to get the save retiring three straight batters despite giving up a run.
 

GAME 16 – Conway 5 , Texarkana 4
(Texarkana Eliminated)

Carson Zachary’s walk-off home run propelled Conway into the elimination game finals as Conway downed Texarkana 5-4.

Trailing 4-2 heading into the bottom of the seventh, Lucas Carner began the rally with a single to left field. Ty Ruby was then hit by a Jonathan Garcia pitch to set the stage for Zachary.

Zachary took the first pitch from Garcia and drove just inside the right field fair pole for the game-winner.

Zachary went 3-for-4 in the game, while Carner had two hits and a pair of runs scored.

TJ Cook led Texarkana with a pair of hits and a run batted in.

Kaden Brooks picked up the win in relief pitching the final 3 innings allowing one hit while striking out three Razorback batters.

 

CONWAY 5, TEXARKANA 4
Texarkana            201    001    0        4-7-2
Conway                000    020    3        5-9-1

E - Ryan Wardlaw(1); Mason Moore(2); P. Coffman(1).
LOB - Texarkana 4; Conway 7. 2B - Summerlin(1); Kordsmeier(1).
HR - C. Zachary(1). HBP - Ty Ruby. SH - TJ Cook(1). SF - K. Dempsey(2). SB - Summerlin(3); Ryan Wardlaw(1); C. Alexander(1); Kordsmeier(3).

Win - Kaden Brooks (1-0). Loss - J. Garcia (1-1).
HBP - by J. Garcia (Ty Ruby). BK - J. Garcia(1).
Start: 5 p.m. Time: 1:58 Attendance: 135 Weather: 78, Partly Cloudy

 

BRYANT 4, CONWAY 1
Bryant                   101    020    0        4-5-1
Conway                001    000    0        2-5-0

E - Aiden Stout(1). DP - Bryant 1. LOB - Bryant 6; Conway 2.
SH - R. Simmons(1). SF - Bradyn Coger(1). SB Bradyn Coger(1); H. Penfield(2); EJ Keith(2); Kaden Brooks(1).

Win - Aiden Stout (1-0). Loss - Ty Ruby (0-1). Save - Wyatt Taylor (1).
WP - Ty Ruby 2(2).
Start: 7:30 pm Time: 1:39 Attendance: 190 Weather: 76, Partly Cloudy 

SHERIDAN ADVANCES TO CHAMPIONSHIP FOUR TEAMS REMAIN AT THE AMERICAN LEGION STATE TOURNAMENT
July 25, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS – An All-Star performance from Logan Ward propelled Sheridan into Championship Saturday while Texarkana and Conway advanced in the elimination bracket, Thursday at the  American Legion Seniors State Tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.
 

GAME 13 – Sheridan 6, Bryant 1

Logan Ward picked up a complete game victory on the mound and helped his cause at the plate in leading Sheridan to a 6-1 win over Bryant.

Ward broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth-inning with a three-run homer to left field to put Sheridan on top 4-1. The right-hander struck out seven batters and scattered seven hits on 109 pitches to pick up the win on the mound.

Sheridan added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh with the aid of a run-scoring double by John Woodmansee. The second run of the frame came on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Zach Carson.

Woodmansee went 3-for-4 at the plate, while Jase Ham led Bryant going 2-for-3 with a run batted in.

Sheridan advances to championship Saturday and will await its opponent. Saturday’s American Legion Championship game is set for 5 p.m. with a second game following if necessary.
 

GAME 14 – Texarkana 7, Greenwood 6
(Greenwood Eliminated)

Texarkana overcame a 6-0 deficit and rallied for four runs in the bottom of the sixth to beat Greenwood 7-6.

After Greenwood jumped out to a 6-0 lead with the help of two run-scoring singles by both Gannon Shackleford and Jayden Campbell, Texarkana started to put things together scoring three runs in the bottom of the third.

The Razorbacks combined for four hits in the frame, including RBI singles by Carsen Summerlin and Ryan Wardlaw.

Trailing 6-3 in the sixth, the Razorbacks exploded for four runs with the big blow being a Nate Wall single to center field that scored two runs to tie the game at 6-6.

Summerlin provided the eventual game winning hit when he singled through the left side scoring Jack Johnson who reached earlier on a walk.

The Yard Goats were held in check for the final four innings managing just three hits.

Reliever Jonathan Garcia picked up the win and Kannon Dempsey got the save as the two both allowed just one base runner each in the final two innings.

Summerlin ended the day with three hits and a pair of runs batted in. Wall contributed to the Razorback nine hit attack with two hits and 2 RBI.

GAME 15 – Conway 8, Paragould 4
(Paragould Eliminated)

Conway rallied from a 3-1 deficit and clubbed 13 hits to eliminate defending champion Paragould 8-4.

Paragould took the lead in the opening inning as Kayson Becker and Matthew Gardner opened with back-to-back singles.

With one out, Ashton Williams turned on Peyton Coffman’s offering and took it deep over the left field wall.

Conway gained the lead in the fifth inning with the assistance of Lucas Carner’s run-scoring double to left that scored Joseph Kordsmeier who led off with a free pass.

Ty Ruby plated Maddox Berry with a single of his own to tie the score and chase Paragould starting pitcher Asher Griffin.

After the pitching change, Carson Zachary gave Conway the lead with the team’s fourth hit of the inning, followed by a ground out by Kaden Brooks that scored the final run of the frame.

Conway continued to slug out hits, putting together four straight to in the sixth inning with Maddox Berry and Lucas Carner both driving in runs to increase the lead to 7-3.

Zachary led Conway’s hit parade going 3-for-4, while Carner, Ty Ruby, Joseph Kordsmeier and Maddox Berry each had two hits.

Williams led Paragould with two hits and three runs batted in.

Texarkana will take on Conway in an elimination game Friday at 5 p.m. The winner will play Bryant at 7:30 p.m. for a right to advance to Championship Saturday to face Sheridan.

 

SHERIDAN 6, BRYANT 1
Sheridan               001    030    2        6-7-0
Bryant                   010    000    0        1-7-2

E - Bradyn Coger(1); H. Penfield(1). DP - Sheridan 1; Bryant 4.
LOB - Sheridan 11; Bryant 7. 2B Woodmansee(1).
HR - Logan Ward(1).
HBP - J. Bradshaw; Logan Ward; P. Sterritt; E. Anderton 2; R. Simmons. SH J. Bradshaw(1). SB - Woodmansee(1); P. Sterritt(1); H. Thomason(1); R. Simmons(3).

Win - Logan Ward (1-0). Loss - Hudson Bule (0-1). Save - None.
WP - Logan Ward 2(2); Colby Duncan(1). HBP - by J. Trusty (P. Sterritt); by J. Trusty (J. Bradshaw); by Hudson Bule (E. Anderton); by H. Penfield (Logan Ward); by B. Royal (E. Anderton); by Logan Ward (R. Simmons).
 Umpires - HP: Ian Hewitt 1B: Eric Alton 3B: John Hannon Start:
Noon Time: 2:05
Attendance: 143
Weather: 89, Partly Cloudy
 

TEXARKANA 7, GREENWOOD 6
Greenwood          303    000    0        6-9-1
Texarkana            003    004    X        7-9-2

E - Ty Holt(2); Mason Moore(1); Jack Johnson(1).
LOB - Greenwood 6; Texarkana 5.
2B - Mason Moore(1). SH - J. Scoggins(2). SF - Mason Moore(1); K. Dempsey(1); TJ Cook(1). SB - Nate Wall 2(3); Summerlin(2); Deon Carson(2).

Win - J. Garcia (1-0). Loss - B. Brewer (0-1). Save - K. Dempsey (1).
 WP - B. Pettigrew(1); Ryan Wardlaw(1).
Umpires - HP: Corey Bowden 1B: Ian Hewitt 3B: Eric Alton
Start: 2:30 Time: 1:57 Attendance: 132 Weather: 78, Cloudy

 

CONWAY 8, PARAGOULD 4
Conway                100    042    0        8-13-2
Paragould            300    001    0        4-8-0

E - Lucas Carner 2(6). DP - Paragould 1. LOB - Conway 5; Paragould 6. 2B - Lucas Carner(2); C. Zachary(2); A. Williams(2). HR - A. Williams(2). HBP - A. Williams. SB - Ty Ruby(3); C. Zachary(2); Kordsmeier 2(4); A. James(2); K. Becker(2); M. Gardner(2); A. Williams(2); Brooks Nigut(2). CS - C. Zachary(2); K. Becker(3).

Win - P. Coffman (1-0). Loss - A. Griffin (0-1). Save - A. James (1).
HBP - by A. James (A. Williams).

Umpires - HP: John Hannon 1B: Corey Bowden 3B: Kenny Akin
Start: 5:33 pm Time: 2:00 Attendance: 121 Weather: Cloudy, 76

SIX TEAMS REMAIN AFTER DAY THREE OF THE AMERICAN LEGION STATE TOURNAMENT
July 24, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS – Six teams remain, with Sheridan and Bryant being the only two teams unbeaten at the  American Legion Seniors State Tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.
 

GAME 9 – Paragould 5, Lake Hamilton 1
(Lake Hamilton Eliminated)

Eastin Gray went 3-for-3 to lead Paragould’s hitting attack while Zane McClure collected two hits, including a double and three runs batted in.

Ashton Williams recorded a complete game win, striking out eight batters, allowing one run on five hits.

Paragould will play in an elimination game against Conway at 5 p.m. Thursday.
 

GAME 10 – Texarkana 8, Mountain Home 6
(Mountain Home Eliminated)

Nate Wall’s two-run triple in the bottom of the sixth-inning lifted Texarkana to an 8-6 win over Mountain Home.

Trailing 6-5 with one out, TJ Cook singled followed by Halen Miller receiving a free pass. Wall then blasted a shot to the gap in left center field to score both runners. Wall later scored on a wild pitch.

Cook relieved Texarkana starter Joshia Scoggins in the sixth and pitched the final 1 1/3 innings, striking out three batters to get the win and keep the Razorbacks alive in the tournament.

Wall went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI, and a run scored to lead Texarkana. Kannon Dempsey also collected two and also crossed the plate once.

Mountain Home’s Jeff Hannaford led all hitters going 3-for-4 with a RBI, with Finley Chafin and Jonathan Corbett also contributing with two hits each.

Texarkana takes on Greenwood in an elimination contest at 2:30 Thursday.

GAME 11 – Bryant 5, Greenwood 4

Bryant loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth and walked off with the win when Bradyn Coger was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

The inning began when James Settle walked followed by back-to-back bunt singles by Colby Duncan and RonRico Simmons. Coger was hit by the very next pitch to give the Black Sox the win and remaining unbeaten.

The Black Sox trailed 4-2 in the seventh and went on to send the game into extra-innings with the help of a double by Blake Bower and the game-tying base-hit by James Settle.

Jase Ham entered the game in a relief role for Bryant band retired eight of the final nine Greenwood batters to capture the win.

Bower went 3-for-3 to lead Bryan, with Duncan and Simmons also having two hits each.

Jaxon Adcock, Gannon Shackleford, Dylan Herriage and Jaxon Cole each had two hits for Greenwood, with Cole driving in three runs.

 

GAME 12 – Sheridan 6, Conway 3

Sheridan broke a 3-3 tie in the seventh-inning, scoring three runs to beat Conway and remain un beaten.

With two out and the bases loaded, Ethan Anderton delivered a two-run triple to the left-center field gap and would later score on an error.

Conway tied the game at 3-3 before Sheridan’s big seventh-inning with a pair of unearned runs. Kaden Brooks doubled in the frame, with Thomas Ford also adding a safety.

Maddax Johnston pitched the final 1 2/3 innings in relief of Sheridan starter Zach Carson. Johnston was tabbed with the win.

The win sets up a matchup between the two remaining unbeaten teams, Sheridan and Bryant, Thursday a Noon. The winner will advance to Saturday’s championship game.
 

PARAGOULD 5, LAKE HAMILTON 1
Paragould            103    010    0        5-11-1
Lake Hamilton     000    000    1        1-5-1

E - M. Gardner(1); Landon West(2). DP - Paragould 1. LOB - Paragould 8; LakeHamilton 4. 2B - Z. McClure(1); Luke Ward. HBP - K. Becker. CS - K. Becker(1); H. Jackson(1); Brooks Nigut(1).

Win - A. Williams (1-0). Loss - Blayne Cribb (0-1). Save - None.
WP - A. Williams(1). HBP - by Blayne Cribb (K. Becker).
Inherited runners/scored: K. Manley 3/0; Landon West 2/0. Pitches/strikes: A. Williams 105/62; Blayne Cribb 11/5; K. Manley 70/41; Landon West 38/27.
 

TEXARKANA 8, MOUNTAIN HOME 6
Mountain Home   003    201    0        6-9-1
Texarkana            032    003    X        8-7-1

E - Ethan Light; S. Wilder(1). DP - Texarkana 1. LOB - Mtn. Home 10; Texarkana 4.
2B - J. Corbett(1). 3B - Nate Wall(2); K. Dempsey(1). HBP - Hannaford; L. Sherry; Ryan Wardlaw. SH - Henderson(1). SF - Jackson Corp(1). CS Mason Moore(1).

WP - Isaiah Wood 2; TJ Cook(1). HBP - by Ethan Light (Ryan Wardlaw); by J. Scoggins (L. Sherry); by J. Scoggins (Hannaford). BK - Ethan Light. PB - Summerlin 2(2).

 

BRYANT 5, GREENWOOD 4 (9)
Greenwood          010    300    000    4-9-1
Bryant                   000    110    201    5-10-1

E - Jaxon Cole; EJ Keith(1). DP - Greenwood 1; Bryant 2.
LOB - Greenwood 8; Bryant 17.
2B - Shackleford(1); B. Brower(1). HBP - Ty Holt; A. Bercher; J. Campbell; Mason Moore; Bradyn Coger 2; H. Penfield; EJ Keith; B. Brower; Jase Ham. SH - Mason Moore(1). SB - EJ Keith(1); R. Simmons(2). CS - A. Bercher(1); D. Herriage(1); Bradyn Coger(2).

Win - Jase Ham (1-0). Loss - Shackleford (0-1). Save - None. WP - Jaxon Adcock(1); Shackleford 2(2); Jase Ham(1). HBP - by B. Brower (A. Bercher); by B. Brower (J. Campbell); by Jaxon Adcock (EJ Keith); by Jaxon Adcock (Jase Ham); by Aiden Stout (Ty Holt); by Jaxon Adcock (H. Penfield); by Jase Ham (Mason Moore); by Shackleford (Bradyn Coger); by Shackleford (B. Brower); by Shackleford (Bradyn Coger).

 

SHERIDAN 6, CONWAY 3
Sheridan               000    021    3        6-8-1
Conway                010    002    0        3-6-4

E - Jared Berry(1); Lucas Carner 2(2); C. Zachary(1); A. James(1).
LOB - Sheridan 11; Conway 8. 2B - Kaden Brooks(1); P. Coffman(1).
3B - E. Anderton(1). SH - P. Sterritt(1); T. Allen(1). SB - E. Anderton(1); Ty Ruby(1).

Win - M. Johnston (1-0). Loss - Maddox Berry (0-1). Save - None.
WP - Zach Carson 2(2). BK - Evan Ragan. Inherited runners/scored: M. Johnston 1/1; Maddox Berry 3/0. Pitches/strikes: Zach Carson 110/65; M. Johnston 27/16; Evan Ragan 89/57; Maddox Berry 78/41.

July 23, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS – Sheridan belted out 10 hits and Peyton Sterritt pitched a complete game to beat Mountain Home 4-3 in the winner’s bracket at the  American Legion Seniors State Tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.

Meanwhile, Lake Hamilton only had three hits but was able to get past Fort Smith 4-3 to avoid elimination.

GAME 7 – Sheridan 4, Mountain Home 1

Sheridan hitters combined for 10 hits including Jace Bradshaw going 3-for-4 with a double and an run batted in to remain in the winner’s bracket.

Logan Ward, Chandler Stanton and Jared Berry all were 2-for-4 the plate with Berry have 2 RBI while Stanton drove in run.

Peyton Sterritt recorded a complete game win, giving up just three hits while striking out five batters.

Jackson Corp, Lincoln Sherry and Ike Barrow all had singles for Mountain Home.

Sheridan advances to face Conway in the winner’s bracket at Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Mountain Home will next take on Texarkana on Wednesday in an elimination game with the first pitch set for 2:30 p.m.

GAME 8 – Lake Hamilton  4, Fort Smith 3
(Fort Smith Eliminated)

Brent Davis struck out nine batters to lead Lake Hamilton to a 4-3 win over Fort Smith.

Davis pitched 6 innings before exiting the game due to the mandatory pitch limit having given up three runs on six hits.

Coy Autry entered the game in the seventh and faced three batters, striking out the final two and picking up the save, securing the win for Davis.

Lake Hamilton plated the first two runs of the game without the use of a hit in the second inning to take an early 2-0 advantage.

Fort Smith got on the board in fifth frame on back to back doubles  by Jackson Chubb and pinch hitter Corbin Miller to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Fort Smith starting pitcher Noah Brown held Lake Hamilton hitless until the fifth inning when Kaden Pranter laced a single to left field advancing Caleb Rouse to second who reached with a leadoff walk.

The Wolves pushed the lead back to two runs as Easton Hurley drove in Rouse on a sacrifice fly, making the score 3-1.

After Lake Hamilton added a run in the sixth, Fort Smith made a last inning charge scoring a pair of runs and threatening to take the lead.

Mason Davidson singled to right field lead off the frame before Jackson Chubb tripled to left center scoring Davidson. After Chubb scored on an error, Hunter Sparks singled to right field to chase Davis from the game.

With runners on second and third with no outs, Autry entered the game and forced Presley Nichols to hit into a fielder's choice retiring Pulliam at home for the first out.

Autry then struck out Maddax Kincannon and Derek Hatcher to end the game stranding two runners in scoring position.

Lake Hamilton will begin Wednesday’s action with an elimination game against Paragould with the first pitch set for Noon

 

SHERIDAN 3, MOUNTAIN HOME 1
Sheridan               210    000    1        4-10-1
Mountain Home   010    001    0        1-3-1

E - J. Bradshaw(1); Ike Barrow. DP - Mtn. Home 1. LOB - Sheridan 8; Mtn. Home 4. 2B - J. Bradshaw(2). 3B - Zach Carson(1). SB - C. Stanton(2); J. Young(1). CS - E. Anderton(1).

Win - P. Sterritt (1-0). Loss - Cash Arnhart (0-1).
Umpires - HP: John Hannon 1B: Corey Bowden 3B: Dylan Parnham
Start: 5 pm Time: 1:42 Attendance: 142

 

LAKE HAMILTON 4, FORT SMITH 3
Fort Smith            000    010    2        3-6-2
Lake Hamilton     020    011    X        4-3-1

E - J. Chubb(1); Will Bryan(1); Landon West(1). DP - LakeHamilton 1. LOB - Fort Smith 6; LakeHamilton 6. 2B J. Chubb(1); C. Miller(1). 3B - J. Chubb(1). HBP - Mx Kincannon; D. Hatcher. SH - K. Manley(1). SF - E. Hurley(1). SB - K. Manley(1).

Win - Brent Davis (1-0). Loss - Noah Brown (0-1). Save - Coy Autry (1). WP - Noah Brown 2; Coy Autry(1); Brent Davis(1). HBP - by Brent Davis (Mx Kincannon); by Brent Davis (D. Hatcher).

Umpires - HP: Corey Bowden 1B: Kenny Akin 3B: Jay Muse
Start: 7:30 pm Time: 2:21 Attendance: 123 Weather: 76

GREENWOOD WALK-OFFS PARAGOULD, TEXARKANA OUTLASTS CABOT AT AMERICAN LEGION STATE TOURNAMENT
July 23, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS - Dylan Herriage’s walk-off home run lifted Greenwood to a 2-1 win over defending state champion Paragould, while Texarkana took advantage of four Cabot errors in beating the Railcats 6-5, Tuesday at the American Legion Seniors (19U) State Tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.

GAME 5 – Greenwood 2, Paragould 1

Two great pitching performances were overshadowed by the heroics of Dylan Herriage’s walk-of home run on the first pitch of the seventh-inning as Greenwood remained unbeaten in tournament play.

Paragould pitcher Tyler Vincent went six complete innings, allowing just three hits and striking out three batters before exiting the game.

Meanwhile, his counterpart, Jayden Gould also went six full innings surrendering three hits while fanning seven batters before departing due to reaching his pitch limit.

With the score tied a 1-1, Peyton Branum entered the game for Paragould in relief of Vincent. Herriage took Branum’s first offering off the scoreboard in rightfield for the Yard Goat victory.

Aaron Taylor entered the game in the final inning for Greenwood, striking out two batters before picking up the eventual win in relief.

Greenwood now advances to face Bryant in the winner’s bracket at 5 p.m.

Paragould will face the winner of the Fort Smith/ Lake Hamilton contest, Wednesday at Noon in an elimination game.

GAME 6 – Texarkana 6, Cabot 5
(Cabot Eliminated)

Texarkana compiled four runs in the first three innings without the benefit of hit taking advantage of three errors and five walks, taking a 4-0 lead after three innings of play.

The Razorbacks added a run in the fourth on Carsen Summerlin’s single to right field which scored Scooter Wilder who single to lead off the inning.

Cabot rallied for four runs in the sixth frame with the aid of three walks and two hit batsmen. The lone hit of the inning was Dalyn Hamilton’s single.

Texarkana would add a much needed insurance run in the sixth when Nate Wall led off the inning with a triple and scored on Summerlin’s second base hit of the game.

The Railcats, however, weren’t finished scoring a run with the help of Landon Evans’ double. Cabot had two runners in scoring position with one out, but relief pitcher Jonathan Garcia struck out the final two batters to preserve the win for starter Halen Miller.

Miller pitched five innings, giving up four runs on four hits with a pair of strikeouts. Garcia pitched the final two innings surrendering one hit and fanning four Cabot batters.

 Texarkana remains alive and will play the loser of the Sheridan/Mountain Home game, Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in an elimination game.

 

GREENWOD 2, PARAGOULD 1
Paragould            100    000    0        1-3-2
Greenwood          000    001    1        2-4-2

Win - Aaron Taylor (1-0). Loss - P. Branum (0-1). Save - None. WP - R. Vincent; Jayden Gould.

E - K. Becker; Eastin Gray; B. Pettigrew(1); D. Herriage. LOB - Paragould 4; Greenwood 5. 2B - B. Pettigrew(1); J. Campbell(1). HR - D. Herriage. SH - M. Gardner; Z. McClure. SB - Eastin Gray; Z. McClure.

Umpires - HP: Dylan Parnham 1B: John Hannon 3B: Jason Long Start: Noon Time: 1:27 Attendance: 132 Weather: 78, Cloudy.

 

TEXARKANA 6, CABOT 5
Cabot                    000    004    1        5-5-4
Texarkana            112    101    X        6-5-0

E - D. Larson(2); Landon Evans 2(3); D. Hamilton(1). DP - Texarkana 1. LOB - Cabot 8; Texarkana 8. 2B - Landon Evans(1). 3B - Nate Wall(1). HBP - D. Hamilton; Will Leslie; Colin Davis. SH - Ryan Wardlaw(1); J. Scoggins(1). SF - D. Hamilton(1); A. Singleton(1). SB - Nate Wall(1); Mason Moore(1); Deon Carson(1).

Win - Halen Miller (1-0). Loss - Will Leslie (0-1). Save - J. Garcia (1). WP - J. Garcia. HBP - by Halen Miller (D. Hamilton); by Halen Miller (Will Leslie); by Halen Miller (Colin Davis). BK - Will Leslie.

Umpires - HP: Kenny Akin 1B: Jason Long 3B: Jay Muse

Start: 2:30 pm Time: 2:26 Attendance: 121 Weather: 78, Cloudy

GREENWOOD, CONWAY PICK UP OPENING ROUND WINS AT THE AMERICAN LEGION SENIORS STATE TOURNAMENT
July 22, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS, ARK. – Greenwood and Conway jumped out to early leads and held on to pick up wins Monday, in the opening round of American Legion State Seniors (19U) Baseball Championship at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.

GAME 1: Greenwood 4, Texarkana 3
Greenwood opened the game with six straight hits and scored four runs in the first-inning and held on to beat Texarkana 4-3.

Brady Pettigrew drove in the first run of the game when he singled to left, scoring Ty Holt who also singled.  Austin Bercher followed with a run-scoring double before Jayden Campbell drove in two runs when he singled up the middle to make the score 4-0 after one inning of play.

Texarkana finally got on the board in sixth-inning as Nate Wall and Carsen Summerlin both singled and later scored on a Yard Goat error and ground out.

The Razorbacks would plate another run in the top of the seventh inning but Greenwood starting pitcher Mason Moore would finish the game when Summerlin flew out to first.

Bercher went 2-for-3 for the Yard Goats, while Texarkana starting pitcher Mason Moore led the Razorbacks with two hits including a RBI.

Greenwood’s Moore surrendered five hits and struck out six batters in picking up the win on the mound.

Greenwood advances to face defending State Champion Paragould, Tuesday at Noon, while Texarkana faces Cabot in an elimination game scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
 

GAME 2: Conway 6, Cabot 1

Conway combined for five runs in the first two innings and was never threatened in beating Cabot 6-1.

All nine starters had hits for Conway including Andrew James who was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles.

Things got started quickly for Conway as Lucas Carner reached on an error and advanced to second on a balk.

Following a pair of strikeouts and a Kaden Brooks walk, Carter Alexander doubled to right center to score Brooks. Peyton Coffman then singled up the middle to plate the third run of the inning.

Heath Kitchens led off the Conway second with a single to right and advanced to third on Joseph Kordsmeier’s base hit to right field. Lucas Carner would drive home a run on a single while Carson Zachary blasted a run-scoring triple to left center.

Zachary also went six innings on the mound, scattering four hits while striking out three batters to pick up the win.

Landon Evans provided the only run for Cabot with a solo home off the rightfield scoreboard.

Conway will next play Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. with their opponent yet to be determined.

For full brackets and updates throughout the tournament go to arkansasamericanlegionbaseball.com

GAME 1: Greenwood 4, Texarkana 3
Score by Innings                                           R-H-E
Texarkana Razorbacks      0-0-0 0-0-2  1        3-5-0
Greenwood Yard Goats     4-0-0 0-0-0 X        4-9-2

 Win - Mason Moore (1-0). Loss - Mason Moore (0-1). Save - None. WP - Mason Moore

E - Ty Holt; Mendenhall. LOB - Texarkana 6; Greenwood 5. 2B - A. Bercher. SB - Summerlin. CS - Mendenhall.

 

GAME 2: Conway 6, Cabot 1
Score by Innings                                           R-H-E
Conway Seniors               3-2-0 0-0-0  1        6-10-0
Cabot Railcats                  0-0-0 1-0-0 0        1-4-3

E - D. Larson; Landon Evans; Colin Davis. DP - Conway 2; Cabot 1. LOB - Conway 5; Cabot 8. 2B - C. Alexander; A. James 2. 3B - C. Zachary. HR - Landon Evans. HBP - Kaden Brooks; Colin Davis 2. CS – Kordsmeier.

Win - C. Zachary (1-0). Loss - Aaron Fitch (0-1). Save - None. WP - C. Zachary. HBP - by C. Zachary (Colin Davis); by C. Zachary (Colin Davis); by Ethan Howard (Kaden Brooks). BK- Aaron Fitch 2-

SHERIDAN’S BRADSHAW AND BRYANT”S BERRY LEAD THEIR TEAMS TO AMERICAN LEGION SENIORS STATE TOURNAMENT WINS
July 22, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS, ARK. – Jace Bradshaw hits a two-run double in the fourth-inning to lead Sheridan past Fort Smith, while Eli Berry pitched a complete game shutout as Bryant downed Lake Hamilton 4-0, Monday at the American Legion Seniors State Tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

Sheridan advances to face Mountain Home on Tuesday at 5 p.m. while Bryant will play the winner of the Paragould/Greenwood game on Wednesday with first pitch set for 5 p.m.

Fort Smith will face off against Lake Hamilton in an elimination game Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

GAME 3: Sheridan 5, Fort Smith 2
Sheridan put together big four-run fourth-inning to pull away from Fort Smith.

With two-outs and two runners on, Ethan Anderton got things rolling with a bunt single down the third base line to score the first run of the inning.

Zach Carson singled home the second run of the inning before Bradshaw’s two-run double to right-center field to make the score 5-0.

Fort Smith got on the board in the sixth frame on Derek Hatcher’s double to right field, then plated one additional tally in the seventh on Shawn Hogan’s single.

Carson ended the day 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and a RBI to lead Sheridan. Hatcher was 2-for-3 with a run batted in for Fort Smith.

Brennan Jarreau gets credit for the win, allowing just three hits while striking out four batters. Maddax entered the game in a relief role to pick up the save.
 

GAME 4: Bryant 4, Lake Hamilton 0

It was a game with impressive pitching performance as both starting pitchers were flawless working out of several jams before Bryant scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth-inning off of relief pitcher Blayne Cribbs.

Bryant’s Eli Berry pitched a complete game, striking out six batters, surrendering just two hits and retiring the final 13 batters he faced.

After compiling 73 pitches in the first three innings, Berry was efficient in innings 4 through six, throwing just 19 pitches in route to the victory.

Lake Hamilton’s Easton Hurley went five complete innings, working out of a pair of bases loaded jams as Bryant stranded nine runners. Hurley exited the game striking out seven batters while giving up three hits before reaching the 105 pitch limit at the end of the fifth.

Bryant broke the scoreless tie scoring four runs off of Cribb as RonRico Simmons drove home the first run with a single. However the big blow was a two-out two-run single by EJ Keith.

For full brackets and updates throughout the tournament go to arkansasamericanlegionbaseball.com

 

GAME 3: Sheridan 5, Fort Smith 2
Score by Innings                                           R-H-E
Sheridan                          1-0-0 4-0-0  0        5-7-0
Fort Smith Sportsmen        0-0-0 0-0-1 1        2-6-1

E - C. Miller. DP - Fort Smith 1. LOB - Sheridan 9; Fort Smith 10. 2B - J. Bradshaw; C. Stanton; D. Hatcher. HBP - J. Bradshaw; M. Johnston. SB - Zach Carson; C. Stanton; Ms Kincannon.

Win - B. Jarreau (1-0). Loss - John Imbush (0-1). Save - M. Johnston (1). WP - C. Miller. HBP - by C. Miller (J. Bradshaw); by C. Miller (M. Johnston).

 

GAME 4: Lake Hamilton 3, Bryant 0
Score by Innings                                           R-H-E
Lake Hamilton                  0-0-0 0-0-0  0        0-2-1
Bryant Black Sox               0-0-0 0-0-4 X        4-6-1

STUTTGART RALLIES TO CLAIM AMERICAN LEGION JUNIORS STATE TITLE
July 18, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS – Stuttgart scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth-inning to come from behind and beat Cabot 7-6 and capture the American Legion Junior (17U) State Championship, Thursday at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.

With two-outs, trailing 5-4, Cam Rogers took Rylan Smith’s 2-2 pitch to right field to score Austin Fontenot who reached on a single of his own and Axtan McCrea who was on base after a fielder’s choice.

Cabot made the game interesting at the end as the Railcats put a pair of runners on base by virtue of walks followed by a RBI single by Jake Steelman to make the score 7-6.

Cabot would then proceed to load the bases, but relief pitcher Caiden Scalfe struck out Carson Sipes and forced Harrison Fry to foul out to end the game.

Earlier, trailing 1-0 in the third, Stuttgart scored three runs benefitting from a misplayed flyball by the Cabot center fielder that jump-started the frame.

Peyton Thompson led off the inning with a sharply hit single to left field before Axtan McCrea’s fly ball went off the center fielder’s glove and rolled to the fence putting runners on second and third with no outs.

Cam Rogers brought home the first run with a single to right field to score Thompson. McCrea later scored on JD Hertzog’s double down the left field line and would score himself on a Hayden Prine single.

Despite playing its fourth game in two days, Cabot was not about to quit scoring four runs on the fifth-inning to take a 5-3 lead.

After a pair of walks chased Stuttgart starting pitcher Hayden Prine, Miguel Homsher continued to stay hot at the plate for the tournament with a single to left to get within a run of the Ricemen.  

Cabot then tied the score when Homsher came home on a double-steal that was misplayed by the Stuttgart defense.

Reliever Caiden Scalfe struggled walking a batter and giving up consecutive hits with the go-ahead single coming from Nathan Fitch which scored two runs.

Stuttgart’s Beau Byers earned Most Outstanding Pitcher honors, while Cabot’s Miguel Homsher was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Cabot made its way to the championship game avenging an early loss to Conway, recording a 7-6 victory after losing 48 hours earlier 16-2.

William Poe pitched 6 1/3 innings and record the win to improve to 3-0 in the tournament. Bryce Naquin entered the game after Poe reached his pitch limit to record the final two outs and pick up the save.

Eight of nine starters had hits for Cabot with Nathan Fitch having a two-run double to lead the way.
 

STUTTGART 7, CABOT 6
Cabot                    010    040    0        6-9-1
Stuttgart                003    004    X        7-7-1

Win - C. Scalfe. Loss - Rylan Smith. Save - None. WP - Rylan Smith 2(2); Chris Fowler(1); C. Scalfe(1). HBP - by H. Prine (Nathan Fitch); by Rylan Smith (P. Thompson).  E - Harrison Fry(1); Harper Feilk(1). DP - Stuttgart 1. LOB - Cabot 10; Stuttgart 5. 2B - JD Hertzog(2). HBP Nathan Fitch; P. Thompson. SB - M. Homsher 2(3); William Poe(2); Rylan Smith(4); Caden Ward(2); H. Prine 2(3); C. Scalfe(2). CS - C. Rogers(1).

 

 

CABOT 7, CONWAY 6
Conway                030    100    2        6-10-1
Cabot                    005    011    X        7-8-0

Win - William Poe (3-0). Loss - B. Jolly (0-1). Save - Bryce Naquin (1). WP - B. Jolly(1); Noah Prout 2(2). HBP - by William Poe (C. Ashcraft); by William Poe (Carter Crow); by William Poe (Wit Griffin). BK - Keyan Brown(1); Noah Prout(1); William Poe(1).

E - Keyan Brown(2). DP - Cabot 2. LOB - Conway 9; Cabot 6. 2B - M. Simpson(2); C. Ashcraft(1); Nathan Fitch(1). 3B - Carter Crow(1). HBP - C. Ashcraft; Carter Crow; Wit Griffin. SB - Keyan Brown(3); Rylan Smith(3); Caden Ward(1).

CABOT OUTLASTS TEXARKANA TO REACH AMERICAN LEGION SEMIFINAL
July 17, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS – For the second time, Cabot beat Texarkana 3-2, Wednesday at American Legion Junior (17U) State Tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.

The RailCats beat the Razorbacks in the opening round of the championship bracket on Monday 4-1. With the win, Cabot advances to the elimination bracket finals to face Conway on Thursday at 5 p.m. The winner advances to face Stuttgart for the state championship on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Cabot’s only loss of the tournament was a 16-2 setback Tuesday.

Rylan Smith provided a one-out sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh to give Cabot the win after Texarkana tied the score in the top half of the inning.

Harrison Fry started off the Cabot seventh with a single to left field followed by a single by Miguel Homsher singled down the left field line. With one out, Smith stepped to plate and was given the chance to be the hero after both runners advance on a wild pitch. Smith took the very next pitch to deep right field to drive in Fry for the win.

Jake Steelman pitched six complete inning before exiting due reaching the pitch count limit. Steelman struck out five batters and gave up just one run on four hits.

Nathan Fitch entered the game in the seventh and struck out the first two batters he faced before giving up the tying run, but would record the win.

CABOT 2, TEXARKANA 1
Texarkana            001    000    1        2-6-2
Cabot                    002    000    1        3-4-4

Win - Nathan Fitch. Loss - Cade McLeod. Save - None. WP - Cade McLeod 2(2); Caden Criner(1); Dylan Nabors(3). HBP - by Caden Criner (T. Mansfield).

E - Cade McLeod(1); Ahmed Moore(1); M. Homsher(3); William Poe(1); Bryce Naquin(1); T. Mansfield(1). DP - Cabot 2. LOB - Tex. Rivers 8; Cabot 8. 2B - Caden Criner(3). 3B - William Poe(3). HBP - T. Mansfield. SF - Rylan Smith(2). SB - M. Moore(3); Dylan Nabors(4). CS - Ahmed Moore(1).

STUTTGART ADVANCES TO AMERICAN LEGION STATE CHMAPIONSHIP WITH 2-1 WIN OVER CONWAY
July 17, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS – Dominant pitching was the story in the battle of the unbeatens as Stuttgart edged Conway 2-1, Wednesday at the American Legion Juniors (17U) State Tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

Stuttgart improved to 7-0 in tournament play and will play in Thursday’s championship game at 7:30 p.m. Conway will play in the elimination bracket final at 5 p.m. against the winner of the Cabot/Texarkana game. The winner will advance to play Stuttgart in the championship.

Stuttgart’s Beau Barnes picked up his second win of the tournament with a complete game performance. Barnes scattered seven hits, struck out three batters with Conway’s lone run being unearned.

Stuttgart plated its first run in the bottom of the first-inning as JD Hertzog drove home Cam Rogers who singled and stole second to lead off the inning.

Conway tied things in the third as Malik Simpson reached on an error and later score on Trendon Moseley’s sacrifice fly.

The eventual game-winning run occurred in the Stuttgart fifth with two outs  as Hertzog collected his second hit of the game when he singled to left field.

Dagan Duncan followed with a single of his own, advancing Hertzog to third. Harper Feilk provided the game-winner with a single to center field to score Hertzog.

Conway had the tying run on third with two-outs as Moseley singled, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Moseley, however, was stranded as Barnes struck out Carter Crow to end the game.

STUTTGART 2, CONWAY 1
Conway                001    000    0        1-6-0
Stuttgart                100    010    x        2-7-1

Win - Beau Barnes (2-0). Loss - Wes Edwards (0-1). Save - None. WP - Keyan Brown(1); Beau Barnes(1). HBP - by Beau Barnes (Carter Crow); by Wes Edwards (Harper Feilk).

E - C. Scalfe(1). LOB - Conway 10; Stuttgart 8. HBP - Carter Crow; Harper Feilk. SF - T. Moseley(2). SB - T. Moseley 2(7); C. Rogers(4); H. Prine(1)

CABOT, TEXARKANA ADVANCE, FACE OFF IN REMATCH AT THE AMERICAN LEGION STATE TOURNAMENT
July 17, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS – Texarkana took advantage of five Arkadelphia errors which led to six unearned runs, while Cabot’s Wes Bell pitched a gem against Lake Hamilton in the elimination bracket of the 2024 American Legion Juniors State Tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.

Texarkana opened Wednesday’s play with an 11-6 victory, while Cabot scored the only run of the game in the first-inning to beat the Wolves 1-0.

The two teams will play an elimination game Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. with the winner advancing to play the loser of Conway and Stuttgart Thursday.

The game will  be a rematch from an opening round contest where Cabot won 4-1 just two days ago.

GAME 9: TEXARKANA 11, ARKADELPHIA 6
(Arkadelphia Eliminated)
Texarkana showed why it is one of the top scoring teams in the tournament as the Razorbacks had seven different players with hits and runs scored in the win over Arkadelphia.

Caden Criner and Maddax Moore had two hits each with Criner having a double, two runs batted in and scored twice. Moore also had a RBI and scored.

Josh Scoggins started the game on the mound for Texarkana pitching three innings, scattering three hits and not allowing a run. Whitt Haynes entered the game in a relief role and completed the game giving up six runs on seven hits.

Arkadelphia was led offensively by Carson Brawley and Cash Stricklin who had two hits each.

GAME 10: CABOT 1, LAKE HAMILTON
(Lake Hamilton Eliminated)

Wes Bell pitched a two-hit shutout, striking out seven and not allowing a walk to eliminate Lake Hamilton.

Bell retired 13 of the next 14 batters he faced following a double by Kaden Pranter, and finished the game retiring the final six batters in order including striking out three.

The only run of the game was unearned by Cabot in the bottom of the first-inning.

The frame began when Harrison Fry singled up the middle and stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error on the play. William Poe delivered a one-out single to plate Fry for the game’s only run.

Coy Autry was tagged with a tough loss, despite striking out eight batters and allowing just one unearned run in 5 1/3 innings of work.

 

TEXARKANA 11, ARKADELPHIA 6
Arkadelphia          000    301    2        6-10-5
Texarkana            044    030    x        11-9-1

Win - J. Scoggins (2-0). Loss - M. Fendley (0-2). Save - W. Haynes (1).
WP - M. Fendley(1). HBP - by M. Fendley (M. Moore); by Judd Smith (Caden Criner).
 

E - M. Fendley(1); Tyler White 2(3); Stephenson(2); Judd Smith(3); J. Scoggins(4). DP - Arkadelphia 2. LOB Arkadelphia 6; Tex. Rivers 6.
2B - Gabe Owens(1); Cale McBride(1); M. Moore(1); Caden Criner(2).
3B - C. Stricklin(1).
HBP - M. Moore; Caden Criner. SF - Tyler White(1); Stephenson(1). SB - J. Scoggins 2(4); Cade McLeod(3).

 

CABOT 1, LAKE HAMILTON 0
Lake Hamilton     000    000    0        0-2-2
Cabot                    100    000    x        1-7-1

Win - Wes Bell (1-0).
Loss - Coy Autrey (2-0)

HBP - by Coy Autrey (Chris Fowler); by Wes Bell (Devin Hudson).

E - B. Fountain(1); Cash Johnson(3); Rylan Smith(1). DP - L. Hamilton 1. LOB - L. Hamilton 4; Cabot 10. 2B - K. Pranter(3); T. Mansfield(1). HBP - Devin Hudson; Chris Fowler. SB - Devin Hudson(3); Harrison Fry(1); Carson Sipes(1).

CONWAY CRUISES TO 16-2 WIN OVER CABOT AT THE AMERICAN LEGION STATE TOURNAMENT
July 16, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS – Conway used an explosive offensive attack led by Trendon Moseley to run-rule Cabot 16-2, Tuesday at the American Legion Juniors (17U) State Tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

Moseley was 4-for-4 at the plate with a triple and four RBI.

Teammate Keyan Brown added two hits with a double and 2 RBI, with Malik Simpson also having two hits and a run batted in.

Conway scored six runs in the initial frame with the help of four hits and four walks to set the tone for the game.

Nathan Wanamaker pitched 4 1/3 innings for Conway. Wanamaker gave up one unearned runs on three hits and struckout a pair of Cabot hitters.

Conway will face Stuttgart in the battle of the lone unbeaten teams Wednesday at 5 p.m.

CONWAY 16, CABOT 2
Cabot          010    00      2-6-1
Conway      611    8x      16-10-1

WP- Nathan Wanamaker
LP- Rylan Smith
LOB- Cabot 3, Conway 5
2B- Cabot: Carson Sipes. Conway: Keyan Brown
3B – Conway: Trendo Moseley

STUTTGART DOWNS ARKADELPHIA 9-1 IN AMERICAN LEGION STATE TOURNAMENT
July 16, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

HOT SPRINGS - Axtan McCrea recorded a complete game win as Stuttgart downed Arkadelphia 9-1, Tuesday at the American Legion Juniors (17U) State Tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.

With the win, Stuttgart is a perfect 5-0 in the past two weeks and will face the Cabot/Conway winner, Wednesday at 5 p.m.

McCrea allowed a single run in the first-inning while striking out three batters to pick up the win.

Once again Arkadelphia got out of the gate quickly as Dillon Rogers doubled to right center to lead off the game and later score on a Axtan McCrea wild pitch.

Stuttgart answered in the bottom half of the inning as Arkadelphia pitcher Gabe Owens had trouble finding the strike zone walking four batters in the inning to allow the Ricemen to tie the score at 1-1.

The Ricemen took the lead the very next inning scoring two runs courtesy of a two-run single by JD Hertzog to center field to make the score 3-1 after two innings.

Hertzog struck again in the fifth-inning as he laced a double to right field to bring home Austin Fontenot who reached on a leadoff walk.

Just to make sure there was doubt in the outcome, the Riceman added five runs in the sixth, highlighted by an inside-the-park hom run by Cameron Rogers which scored three runs.

Arkadelphia will face Texarkana in an elimination game at Noon Wednesday.

STUTTGART 8, ARKADELPHIA 7
Arkadelphia          100    000    0        1-3-0
Stuttgart                120    001    5        9-5-1

WP- Axtan McCrea
LP- Tyler White
LOB- Arkadelphia 5, Stuttgart 3
2B- Arkadelphia: Dillon Rogers Stuttgart: JD Hertzog. HR- Cam Rogers

LAKE HAMILTON, TEXARKANA REBOUND FROM OPEN ROUND LOSSES
July 16, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

Lake Hamilton and Texarkana rebounded from opening round losses to advance in the 2024 American Legion Juniors (17U) State Championship, Tuesday at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.

Both teams took advantage of its opponents miscues as Little Rock committed four errors against the Wolves, while Bryant recorded a total of six errors against Texarkana.

GAME 5 – Lake Hamilton 3, Little Rock Warriors 1
(Little Rock Eliminated)

Ashur Gregory pitched 5 2/3 inning in a relief role to lead Lake Hamilton to a 3-1 win over the Little Rock Warriors.

Gregory entered the game for starter Coy Autry in the second-inning, striking out four and scattering six hits to get the win.

Autry was intrumental in scoring the first run of the game as he belted a one-out double to centerfield and would score on a passed ball in the third-inning.

The Wolves scored two more runs in the fifth with the help of a RBI single by Zayde Cox and a Texarkana fielding error.

Little Rock’s lone run came in the sixth-inning as the Warriors strung together three hits with Stephen Dilliman providing the RBI safety to rightfield.

Gregory worked his way out of the jam as he forced Ricky Halbert to ground out and struckout Everett Woodard to end the inning.

Lake Hamilton will next play an elimination game Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.

 
 

GAME 6 – Texarkana Rivers 8, Bryant 7
(Bryant Eliminated)

Texarkana took advantage of four Bryant errors in the final two innings to erase a four run deficit to beat the Black Sox 8-7 in an elimination game.

The Razorbacks scored three runs in the bottom half of the six without the use of a single hit, then rallied for three more runs in the seventh with the help of an error while also putting together three hits.

Deon Carson led the Texarkana hit attack with a double, triple and a pair of runs batted in, including the game-winning two-run double in the bottom of the seventh.

Caden Criner and Dylan Nabors also had a solid day at the plate, both having two hits, with Criner also blasting a double.

Terrance Ellis had a pair of doubles for Bryant including 3 RBI. Jonathan Carter was 2-for-4 with three runs scored in losing cause.

Texarkana will play at Noon on Wednesday against either Stuttgart or Arkadelphia.
 

LAKE HAMILTON 3, LITTLE ROCK 1
Little Rock            000    000    1        1-6-4
L. Hamilton           001    020    0        3-5-1

WP- Ashur Gregory
LP- Stephen Dillman
LOB-Little Rock 5, Lake Hamilton 9.
2B-Lake Hamilton: Coy Autry

TEXARKANA 8, BRYANT 7
Bryant         010    050    1        7-8-6
Texarkana  001    103    3        8-8-1

WP- Gunnarv Keith
LP- Zabree Russell
LOB- Bryant 8, Texarkana 10
2B- Bryant: Terrance Ellis (2), Dante Hernandez. Texarkana: Deon Carson.
3B- Deon Carson.

PITCHING DOMINATES OPENING DAY OF AMERICAN LEGION JUNIORS STATE TOURNAMENT
July 15, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

Pitching was at a premium on day one of the 2024 American Legion Juniors (17U) State Championships at Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

The first three games totaled just 15 runs with only 10 being earned, while offenses totaled just 26 hits.

Conway, Cabot, and Stuttgart all remained perfect in tournament play as all four teams went unbeaten in the preliminary rounds last week.

In the nightcap, defending champion Lake Hamilton was upended by Arkadelphia 6-2 to suffer its first loss of tournament play.

GAME 1 – Conway 3, Bryant 2

Silas Cicero struck out 11 batters and allowed just two hits as Conway outlasted Bryant 3-2.

Silas took a no-hitter into the seventh-inning before Terrance Ellis blasted a one-out double. Barrett Royal followed with a double to right field to score Grant Daves who was hit by a pitch to begin the inning.

Barrett later scored on a ground out before Cicero struck out Luke Andrews to end the game and pick up the complete game victory.

Conway put together three hits in the third-inning to take an early 1-0 lead before adding two runs in the following frame with the help of a double to right field by Keyan Brown to load the bases.

Conway would score on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Malik Simpson to make the score 3-0  through four-innings.

Brown led Conway going 2-for-3 at the plate, with Carter Crow contributing with two hit of his own.
 

GAME 2 – Cabot 4, Texarkana Rivers 1

Miguel Homsher collected three hits with Rylan Smith adding two safeties to lead Cabot to a 4-1 win over Texarkana.

Cabot jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first-inning as Harrison Fry took Tyson Blalock’s first offering down the leftfield line for a double. Fry then scored when Homsher singled to left.

After William Poe reached on an error to score Homsher, Rylan Smith singled to advance Poe to third, with Poe scoring on a Nathan Fitch ground out for the final run of the inning.

Texarkana manufactured a run in the bottom half of the fifth as Whit Haynes led off with a single and would score on a Cad McLeod fielder’s choice.

Cabot added an insurance run in the seventh with the help of two hit batters and a pair of walks.

Poe pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just one runs and scattering four hits to pick up the win. Chris Fowler finished the game for Cabot to pick up the save.

Tyson Blalock was tabbed with the loss.
 

GAME 3 – Stuttgart 3, Little Rock Warriors 2

JD Hertzog laced a shot past third baseman Everett Woodard to score two runs in the bottom of the seventh-inning to lift Stuttgart past Little Rock 3-2.

Warrior pitcher Brady Penick cruised into the seventh frame before walking Caiden Scalfe to lead off the inning and then surrendered just his third hit of the game to pinch hitter Austin Fontenot.

After a sacrifice bunt advanced both runners, Stuttgart loaded the bases when Little Rock intentionally walked Cam Rogers.

Hertzog then delivered his one out blow which went off the glove of Woodard and brought home the winning runs.

Little Rock scored its only two runs in the fourth-inning benefitting from three walks and a hit batter. The lone hit of the inning was a leadoff single by Connor Smith.

Stuttgart cut the lead in half with a single run in the bottom half of the inning when Dagan Duncan led things off with a double to right-center field and later scored on a double steal.

Scalfe picked up the win in relief, pitching the final three innings not allowing a hit and just one base runner.

GAME 4 – Arkadelphia 6, Lake Hamilton 2

Arkadelphia used a four-run third-inning, stringing together four hits to upset Lake Hamilton 6-2.

Arkadelphia didn’t hesitate to get things started plating two runs in the first-inning as Maddox Fendley doubled to score Dillon Rogers who led off the game with a single to left field.

Fendley would later score on a sacrifice fly to right field by Cash Stricklin to give the home team an early 2-0 advantage.

Lake Hamilton countered with a run in the top of the second as Zayde Cox smacked a double to right-center field to begin things. However, Cox was tagged out in a run-down on a Ashur Gregory fielder’s choice.

Gregory would advance to second on a ground out, and score on a Brody Fountain single to right.

Arkadelphia exploded for four runs in the third inning with the big blow being a two-run double by Cooper Stephenson to increase the lead to 6-1.

The Wolves scored a single run in the sixth-inning as Kaden Pranter belted a leadoff triple and scored on Cox’s ground out to short.

Cash Stricklin picked up the win on the mound for Arkadelphia and pitched 5.2 innings, striking out eight batters before reaching his pitching limit and having to be relieved.

Tuesday’s docket will begin with two elimination games as Little Rock will take on Lake Hamilton at Noon, followed by Bryant facing off against Texarkana with the first pitch set for 2:30 p.m.

In the winner’s bracket, Arkadelphia will play Stuttgart at 5 p.m. followed by
Conway and Cabot will battle in the final game of the day scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

For complete scores, updates and statistics, go to arkansasamericanlegionbaseball.com

 

 

CONWAY 3, BRYANT 2
Conway      001    200    0        3-6-0
Bryant         000    000    2        2-2-0

WP- Silas Cicero
LP- Jackson Trusty
DP- Bryant 1. LOB-Conway 9, Bryant 3.
2B-Conway: Keyan Brown. Bryant: Terrance Ellis, Barrett Royal

CABOT 3, TEXARKANA RIVERS 0
Cabot          300    000    1        4-7-0
Texarkana  000    010    0        1-5-3

WP- William Poe
LP- Tyson Blalock
Save- Chris Fowler
LOB- Cabot 10, Texarkana 9
2B- Cabot: Harrison Fry.

 

STUTTGART 3, LITTLE ROCK WARRIORS 2
Little Rock  000    200    0        2-2-1
Stuttgart      000    100    2        3-4-2

WP- Caiden Scalfe
LP- Brady Penick
LOB- LR: 4, Stuttgart 7
2B-  Stuttgart: Dagan Duncan

 

ARKADELPHIA 6, LAKE HAMILTON 2
Lake Hamilton     010    001    0        2-6-1
Arkadelphia          204    000    X        6-6-0

WP- Cash Stricklin
LP- Myers Manatt
LOB- Lake Hamilton 6, Arkadelphia 1
2B- Arkadelphia: Maddox Fendley, Cooper Stephenson; Lake Hamilton: Zayde Cox. 3B- Lake Hamilton: Kaden Prant

FINAL EIGHT TEAMS SET FOR AMERICAN LEGION JUNIORS STATE BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
JULY 14, 2024
by Troy Mitchell

Following opening round bracket play, the final eight teams are set to battle for the 2024 American Legion Juniors (17U) State Championship.

The 8-team double-elimination tournament begins Monday at Majestic Park with four games on the schedule.

The first game of the event features Conway taking on the Bryant Black Sox at Noon followed by the Cabot RailCubs against the Texarkana Razorback Rivers set for a 2:30 p.m. start.

The third game on the docket is Stuttgart Ricemen battling the Little Rock Warriors with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m.

The marque game of day one puts Arkadelphia against the 2023 American Legion State Champions Lake Hamilton scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

The tournament will continue with four games on Tuesday and Wednesday. The elimination bracket final game is scheduled for Thursday followed by the Championship that same day. A final game will be played Friday if necessary.

The eight teams competed in separate four opening round five or six-team brackets last week with the first and second place teams advancing to the championship bracket.

GAME 1 – Conway (3-0) vs. Bryant Black Sox (3-1)
The Conway pitching staff has been superb, allowing just two runs in19 innings for a 0.47 ERA. Silas Cicero recorded a no-hitter in a 2-0 win over the Little Rock Warriors last week. Cicero faced three batters above the minimum and struck out 12 batters in the process.

Offensively, Conway has been limited to just .225 hitting, but have benefitted from 27 walks.

Bryant fought through the elimination bracket after losing their first game to Stuttgart. The Black Sox rallied and outscored their opponents 41 to 7 the next three games to advance to this week’s championship bracket.

The Black Sox are hitting .349 as a team with Owen Woods and Grant Davis leading the way. Woods has a .667 average with 6 RBI, while Davis is hitting .571.

GAME 2 – Cabot RailCubs (3-0) vs. Texarkana Razorbacks Rivers (3-1)
Cabot claimed Bracket 3 winning all three games including a 6-3 victory over Arkadelphia in the winner’s bracket final.

William Poe has led the RailCubs offensively going 5-for-10 last week with a double, two triples and 3 RBI.

The pitching staff has been solid sporting a 3.43 ERA with Jake Steelman leading the way with a 1.29 ERA while striking out three batters and scattering six hits in 7 innings of work.

After losing their opening round game to White Hall, Texarkana won three straight games, including a double-header last Thursday to advance to the round of eight.

Texarkana sports a solid .339 team batting average led by Dylan Nabors who leads the tournament with an impressive .800 average (8-for-10) with 4 doubles, 6 runs scored and 7 RBI.

Despite winning three games, Texarkana’s pitching has struggled a bit with a 6.28 earned run average while allowing 25 runs, walking 35 batters in four games.

GAME 3 – Stuttgart Ricemen (3-0) vs. Little Rock Warriors (3-1)
Stuttgart has been impressive in its first three games outscoring opponents 27 to 7 including a tough-fought 3-2 win over Bryant.

Hayden Prine and Dagan Duncan lead the Ricemen offensively, both hitting .455 with Prine having 8 RBI and Duncan 6.

Duncan also recorded a win on the mound over the Little Rock Battlebirds allowing just three hits and striking out 8.

The Warriors regrouped after its opening round 2-0 loss to Conway, winning three straight games including a 14-13 last inning victory over Springdale.

Connor Davis leads the squad hitting .455 while Carter Sangalli is hitting .375 for the Warriors.

GAME 4 – Lake Hamilton (2-0) vs. Arkadelphia (2-1)
The defending champions Lake Hamilton outscored its opponents 26 to 4 in the two games last week.

The Wolves have hit .397 collectively with Devin Hudson and Adam Gregory gathering five hits each. Zayde Cox is 4-for-7 with a double, triple and 7 RBI.

Coy Autrey leads the pitching staff after his 5-inning no-hitter in the 11-1 win over Perryville in a game where he struck out 11 batters.

Arkadelphia enters the week with both a balanced offense and pitching with the team hitting .278 while having a 3.00 ERA in three games.

Cash Stricklin paces Arkadelphia, both at the plate and on the mound. Stricklin is 7-for-12 with a pair of doubles, while not allowing an earned run in six innings including fanning 10 batters.

Judd Smith will also be valuable to the Arkadelphia pitching staff after appearing in two games, having a 2.25 ERA in 8 innings of work with 11 punchouts and limiting opponents to a .103 batting average.  

To follow the tournament and get complete game recaps and tournament updated times, go www.arkansasamericanlegionbaseball.com  
Games can also be live streamed at livebarn.com

Those wishing to video stream the tournament must sign up for a subscription. Type in the code maje-stic for a 10 percent discount.

Following subscribing, select Majestic Park in the search bar, click on streams and then select the Babe Ruth Field.

Results

Monday July 8th

 Cabot  7   Dardanelle  4

White Hall  10  Texarkana  Rivers 9

Stuttgart  12  LR Battlebirds  2

LR Rockies  5  Batesville  1

Conway  12  Springdale  1

Tuesday July 9th

@Little Rock Christian

Mountain Home  7   LR Rockies  6

Conway  2  LR Warriors  0

Benton HS

Vilonia  10  Eighth Battalion  9

Stuttgart  3   Bryant  2

Texarkana  Wheat  8  Vilonia  3

Cabot  3  Sheridan Peoples  1

Majestic Hot Springs

Perryville  7  Sheridan Wylie  5

Lake Hamilton  15   White Hall  3

Perryville  13  Ft Smith  4

Arkadelphia   6   North Little Rock   1

Wednesday  July 10th

@Little Rock Christian

Springdale  15  LR Rockies  6

LR Warriors  16  Batesville  6

Conway  9  Mountain Home  1 (Conway Advances)

Benton HS

Stuttgart  12  Texarkana Wheat  3 (Stuttgart Advances)

White Hall  7  Sheridan Wylie  0

Bryant  10  Eighth Battalion  0

Cabot  6  Arkadelphia  3 (Cabot Advances)

Majestic Hot Springs

Texarkana Rivers  8  Ft Smith   2

Dardanelle  7  North Little Rock  2

Lake Hamilton  11  Perryville  1 (Lake Hamilton Advances)

Thursday   July 11th

@Little Rock Christian

LR Warriors 14  Springdale  13

LR Warriors  8  Mountain Home  3  (Warriors Advance)

Benton HS

Bryant  18 LR Battlebirds  4

Bryant  13  Texarkana Wheat  3 (Bryant Advances)

Majestic Hot Springs

Texarkana Rivers  7  White Hall  0

Texarkana Rivers  14  Perryville  13

Friday July 12th

@Little Rock Christian

5:00 pm  Sheridan Peoples  vs  Dardanelle

7:30 pm Winner vs  Arkadelphia 

 

 

Congratulations to Beebe AA Champions and Conway Runners Up in the Arkansas American Legion Baseball tournament that concluded Saturday June 22nd at Little Rock Christian Academy. Grant Jernigan of Beebe was the tournaments MVP and the Little Rock Warriors was awarded the Mike Bromley Sportsmanship award.

Monday, June 17th

Beebe  18    LR Battlebirds  5  

White Hall  5   Siloam Springs  0

NCA  6   Harrison  2

Vilonia  1  Booneville 0

LR Warriors 12  Gentry  2

Tuesday , June 18th

Beebe 10  Clarksville 2

Ft Smith 4  White Hall 1

NCA 12   Vilonia 0

LR Warriors 3  Conway 2

Harrison 7  Booneville 6

Wednesday, June 19th

White Hall 15  Gentry  2

LR Battlebirds advance

Conway  9  Siloam Springs  0

Harrison  9  Clarksville  4

Beebe  14  Ft. Smith  4

LR Warriors  18  NCA  1

Thursday, June 20th

White Hall 2  Harrison 1

Conway  12  LR Battlebirds  1

White Hall  8  NCA  5

Conway  6  Ft Smith  2

Beebe 12  LR Warriors  2

Friday, June 21st

Conway 3  White Hall 2

Conway  6  LR Warriors  5

Saturday, June 22nd

Beebe 18 Conway 1

 

Magnolia wins 15U tournament played at Sheridan with win over Bryant. Magnolia completed tournament play without a defeat. Congratulations to Magnolia Arkansas American Legion 15U State Champions and to Bryant State Runners Up.

Here are important 2024 dates for Arkansas American Legion Baseball:

January 20 10:00 am (Saturday) Managers/Coaches Meeting (Zoom Meeting - details to be emailed)

February 17, 10:00 am (Saturday) Managers/Coaches Meeting (@Little Rock Christian Academy)   

Each team planning to play American Legion baseball in 2024 is expected to be represented at the Managers/Coaches meetings. Attendance at one of the meetings is necessary in order to receive information about rules, registration, insurance and tournament play in 2024. The meetings will last no more than one hour and teams will be given the opportunity to schedule games following the February 17 in person meeting.

 Deadline for early registration May 15, 2024. Remember no team can have tryouts, practice or play games prior to registration and payment for insurance. The registration fee increases by $200.00 after May 15.

Final Day for Registration, pay insurance, and pay registration fees May 31, 2024

June 12, 2024 Deadline for Team Managers to submit Form #1 with State Commissioner for AA and 15U.

June 17-22, 2024 Dates AA State Tournament Little Rock Christian Academy

June 17-22. 2024 Dates 15U State Tournament Little Rock Christian Academy

June 26, 2024 Deadline for Team Managers to submit Form #1 with State Commissioner for Juniors (17U) & Seniors (AAA)

July 8-18, 2024 Dates 17U (Juniors) State Tournament Pool Play 3 or 4 site locations TBD / Finals at Hot Springs

July 22-27, 2024 Dates 19U (Seniors)  State Tournament Hot Springs 

 

The traditional sleeve patch is available for purchase through American Legion Emblem Sales by clicking here.

New forms will be posted as soon as made available by American Legion national office.

 

Team registration for the 2024 American Legion Baseball season has closed. It will re-open in late January or early February for the 2025 season at baseball.legion.org.

READ MORE

We encourage all teams planning to play American Legion baseball in the state of Arkansas to register their teams for the 2025 season as soon as the portal opens in late January or early February.  New teams may go to the link above to learn more about American Legion Baseball.

The schedule for Managers/Coaches meetings for the 2025 season will be released in the fall.

For planning purposes the 2024 insurance and registration fees were as follows:  Annual insurance $349.00 for Seniors and $261.00 for Juniors; Seasonal insurance $278.00  for Seniors and $211.00 for Juniors. Seasonal covers summer ball from the time you register and pay the insurance to the conclusion of the American Legion season in July or August. The national administrative team fee was $125.00 for Seniors and $100.00 for Juniors and the Arkansas registration fee was $575.00 for Seniors and $550.00 for Juniors.  

As a reminder all registered teams must play a minimum of five Legion games to become eligible to play in the respective state tournament playoffs (Seniors, Juniors & 15 and under). 15 and under is defined as 15 before May 1. This means they are ineligible to play 15U If they turn 16 before May 1.