A rival.

To some champions in Conway.

Welcome in.

On this Thursday, as we get ready for the high school softball championship games, we are opening up with one.

Taylor and Concord Taylor looking to continue their dynasty in the sport of softball.

Looking for their eighth straight state title.

Alyssa Orange alongside Westmore and West.

So much history with them.

On the other side, Concord looking for their first.

What a way to start off the state championship game.

First game of the, of the weekend.

And you got a team that's just been dominant and one a actually in softball.

They've been playing up, playing everybody, and it's almost a David and Goliath type situation.

I think most people out there expecting Taylor.

But you have that pressure on Taylor to try to win another state title.

Concord.

If I'm them, I'm playing with nothing to lose.

Let's go out, play ball and see.

We can't shock the world.

Yeah, it'll be fun.

We're going to sit here and see if they can do it here at Shark Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.

Here's your schedule for the next couple of days.

As we've mentioned, we have the one day game to kick us all off Concord versus Taylor.

And then we've got baseball as well.

Taylor trying to win two titles today against Saint Joseph's.

Then the five day softball here against Sheridan and Benton.

And you want to talk about powerhouses that won tonight is going to be a lot of fun.

And then your five day baseball game tonight at seven right here on Arkansas PBS.

Valley view versus Mary and so much action to bring from you here on day one.

Let's go back to the Tigers.

Because their lead with one of their strongest players.

And she sits in the circle West.

Courtney McHenry as a heck of a player to send out on to the mound Ala Buford.

Not only a great hitter, but she's a great pitcher.

Also, she has signed to play with, S.A. You she has been the one a player of the year, the state MVP in 22, 23, 24.

She plays volleyball.

Just a heck of a player batting 603, like I said.

And, pitching was just a dominant pitcher and got a filthy changeup.

That's all I've been told.

Watch her changeup.

It is so good.

Do that speed.

It's impressive, by the way.

Coach valedictorian.

No big deal, does it?

On the field and in the classroom as well.

On the other side for Concord, it's her partner in the Circle Lake in Corner Lake and Cornett.

She's going to hit leadoff.

So she's not only a good pitcher, but she's a very good batter.

Hitting over 500 for the season, 512, to be exact.

On the mound she's got a 3.15 E.R.A.

And they're going to need her to help slow down these, Taylor lady Tigers to have a chance to win the game tonight.

Today?

Well, it would be fun if they could do it.

We'll see.

Though, like we mentioned, Taylor looking to find their 11th championship overall, their eighth straight.

They won last year in shutout fashion over Scranton ten to nothing and just six innings.

So they've been here before.

They know what they need to do.

But it is going to be a beautiful day of softball.

Right now it's looking like a high of 81.

Partly cloudy, but not a lot of clouds in the sky today.

Right now, it's going to be fun.

One, we're excited to get going and we will right after the break.

West, are you ready?

I am ready and I know the town of Taylor is here.

I drove by earlier today and the stands were already packed an hour before the game and it looked like old Taylor.

Now you can see Concorde arriving.

This is absolutely perfect.

No one at Taylor is going to work today.

Probably not a Concorde either.

They're all here ready for softball.

We'll be right back after this.

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They're ready to go here in Conway.

So are we in the circle for Concord?

We mentioned our Laken Cornett.

She's got A314 ERA and a ball one to start things off, but she faces Taylor's pitcher, West, who you talked about earlier as well.

And Caleb Buford.

Bailey Buford hitting over 600 and 603 to be exact.

She's on base 67% of the time, every two out of every three at bats.

She's getting on base.

That's impressive.

Another ball here for Cornett.

And you can tell that she gets a lot of walks to not only a good hitter, but she's going to be a patient hitter up there.

If you're not going to throw a strike, she'll take her walk, get on base.

Oh, she was ready for that one.

You could tell that one much better there from Cornett.

But just settle down a little bit.

You kind of expect a little nerves sometimes in this championship game, but she looks like she'll start to settle down there in the circle as Buford, trying to get a leadoff hit for the Tigers here.

Doesn't matter.

It's her fourth state championship game.

You know it's still a state championship game.

You're going to be jacked up for the start of the game.

All right.

She's got A31 count.

Now this is kind of where she gets to be patient.

Trying to get a runner on base for the Lady Tigers.

Pops it up in foul territory off the fence.

Gets another try here.

And a full count.

We'll see what she does.

We're going to see Buford on the mound a little bit later.

She pitched a perfect game in the first round of the state tournament.

You you know, you talk about nerves.

That first game is the toughest game in the state tournament for a lot of teams, because you want to get into the flow of things.

She helped the team out tremendously by pitching a perfect game.

She's a senior.

She knows what she's doing but swings there high at that.

Rice ball.

Great pitch by Cornett to get Buford out for the first out of the inning.

The pitch goes up high with it and couldn't lay off.

Got the big eyes and, and kind of contribute that to the nerves right there because that's a pitch she's not normally going to swing at.

No, but it rose really well by the time it crossed the plate.

There it is again, that rice ball.

And if she can get that going where it's going to throw off batters because again, it's all about timing.

And you don't got a lot of it on the softball diamond.

And if it looks pretty out of her hand two strikes now on Kendall Hamlin, the left fielder for the Lady Tigers.

She could work that pitch all day.

Was well not her E.R.A.

At 3.15.

It's not the greatest, but you're seeing here.

She's on a little bit of a roll, and that's what I've been told.

She's been really good in the state tournament.

She is just pitch.

She is just picked up her game on the on inside the circle throughout the state tournament.

And she's off to a great start.

Her second K of the day.

Let's look at the people back in her up on the defensive side there for Concord a little bit outside on that one behind Ala Buford at shortstop.

We've got Anderson Nulty.

The second baseman.

Brinley McLendon first base is Buford our Maddie Valentine.

I'm sorry, can't read my own writing.

Brooke Jones.

Another pitch outside here on Ashlyn Clark, the second baseman for Taylor.

Here's another look at that defense, though.

For Cornett.

Pops this one up into foul territory.

Hamlin hitting 369 on the season.

She gets on base a lot 573 how about that for your first two hitters getting on base over two thirds of the time and more than half of the time, she's got 32 RBI from her, spot, hitting second in the lineup.

You call that a strike?

Was that I think he did.

I think he did.

She's given that outside strike to you.

That's twice to count here for Cornett.

And let's see if she goes back to this rise ball that's been working for you.

Nailed it a little too high, though.

She wanted it, though.

Hamlin came up big in the quarterfinal.

She hit a walk off triple to knock off West Side.

And there is strikeout number three.

She strikes out the side.

What a start for Laken Cornett.

You know how to pick these players to watch here.

West coming up perfect.

After this the Pirates going to step into the batter's box.

You know I think sports are really big to a lot of people.

And because it's an important part of our fabric and our community.

And the one good thing about what I've seen is it's high quality production.

You know, you think of the small communities all over Arkansas.

It's a big deal that they can turn on the TV or DVR or whatever and know they're going to get a quality product.

And so I think it just expands the, the focus of what PBS is doing in Arkansas.

PBS is doing a great job, and I think it's part of education.

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Mom.

No.

Next.

Mom.

Welcome back.

There she is.

Ala Buford, the senior leader on this Taylor Tigers team.

Inside the circle here.

We talked about her earlier, West, and just how dominant she's been in the circle and in the batter's box for that mind.

But she just has one of those steady leaders for this Taylor team.

This is a place she's met before hoping to win another title and add another ring to her collection today and give you a lot of incredible stats.

And she's getting ready to face Lake and Cornett.

Pitcher on pitcher battle here to start off the bottom of the first inning.

But Buford as, an ERA under 1.771.

That's incredible 611 career strikeouts.

But I think is it just fantastic five walks this year?

All these innings she's pitched this year, five walks, 109 innings pitched.

She's walked five batters.

That's that's insane.

Saying that kind of consistency in the circle is huge.

And a big part of why Taylor has been able to have the kind of success that they've had so far this season.

2002 excuse me on cornet.

That's ball one for her.

But we talk about just how valuable of a player she is.

She's got a big career ahead of her.

She signed to play at Southern Arkansas University and the Mule Riders just won the GAC.

They're off to their NCAA tournament and she gets to go and join a very, successful program from high school.

Now over to college when she gets to southern Arkansas.

Busted her inside with that pitch, sped up the bat.

And I wonder if we don't see that filthy change up right here to get her first strike out of the game.

There was I don't think it was a changeup, but it was a strike, and that's all that mattered.

The first strikeout here for Ala Buford on Lake and now.

And that is one out for the Tigers.

Here is a look at that win rock automotive batting lineup for the Concord Pirates.

We talked about Lincoln Cornet.

But then you also have Taylor White here who is in the box.

Lily Tharp, Brooke Jones, Maddie Valentine, Kendall Devers, Brianna Jones, Laney Brackett and Lexi Cannon round out this Taylor team, white hitting 514 on the season.

Plays off the high pitch.

Got a hitter's count now at two and zero.

Don't jinx her last.

We talked about her walks but let's see what she does here.

A little behind in the count and how she attacks Taylor White here in the box.

Are you jinxed?

I only said only five walks all season.

And right after I say it, she goes to a three and oh count.

And this is a hitter's count for Taylor White, who, as you can see on that left side of home plate, she's looking to slap, she's looking to drag, but she has speed.

She is very fast down the base path.

And if they can get her on, we'll see how much they can try to do to get her around the bases.

And I think this is what you're talking about.

This battling from Ala Buford.

No big deal that she was at A30 count battling back to a full count now and feeling a little bit more in control with her pitches selection.

What she's able to do in the circle right off the high.

First base runner of the game for Concord.

It's white on base with her team and I think that's a really good approach there by white.

When you're going against a pitcher who does not walk, batters really at all.

Now just her fifth on the season, or six on the season.

It's sometimes intimidating to even just step into the batter's box against a pitcher like that.

But to be patient and to draw a walk, really, discipline there from Taylor White, Lily Tharp up.

Now, see if she can continue the inning.

Job by Kendall Hamlin.

She's the catcher for Ayla Buford.

She handled the low ball, got up ready to throw.

See how aggressive Concord may want to be here in the first inning.

Lily Tharp, one of the batting leaders for this Concord team, batting 430 just behind Laken Cornett and Taylor White, who are batting over 500, which in baseball or softball.

Very impressive to be able to do that.

She's got A12 count on her now and looks like Ayla.

Buford has a little bit of of control in the circle.

We're still waiting to see that change up though.

Love how she bounced back though.

After the walk she came back and just attacking.

The hitter Lily Tharp just went in straight after her.

Get her down.

And the one two count right now.

One.

There you go.

That was it.

She wanted it.

And just a little low and good on Lily Tharp there to hold off on that pitch.

You know, it's it's critical to be able to score runs against this Taylor team.

And so Concord seeing if they can strike first here right here and they don't what a throw I don't I don't not like the attempt there to try to steal but a big big throw there.

And that is out number two for Taylor as Taylor White thrown out at second base.

Let's watch this again.

West.

Yeah Hamlin I thought did a great job.

She kind of bobbled the catch and was able just to stay patient with it not rush her throw.

And the thought was absolutely perfect.

There is strike three.

So throw them out.

Strike them out just like that.

And Tigers get out of the inning.

It's we're going to head the break see if they can do anything offensively when we get back.

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Here we go.

To the top of the second as the Taylor Tigers are back on the offensive side.

We've got Macy Downs, Jenna Braswell, and Adley Buford going to be your three players to come at bat here for the Tigers.

Here's a look at their batting line up after Buford.

You've got Brinley McLendon, Kaylee McHenry and Aniston Nolte.

And this is a line up west that can do damage offensively.

If they get going.

We'll see how Concord continues to handle that.

Specifically Laken Cornett in the circle before Team Taylor is hitting 439.

That's absolutely insane.

The the the lowest batting average in the starting lineups.

338.

No pressure, no no pressure.

But they've outscored opponents 333 to 26.

That's more than 1010 times the opponents of score 333 to 26.

Just some insane numbers.

Taylor has been able to put up this season.

Really impressive there.

And that's another foul ball.

And oh man.

And that's that's what she's gonna want back there.

Unfortunately Lily Tharp not able to catch that pop fly foul ball behind her.

And sometimes that's hard.

Especially with that mask I caught a little bit when my day's playing softball.

It's so much easier to be able to take that mask off.

So you can see.

And depending on where the sun is, maybe she kind of just lost track of the ball there.

Yeah.

No, the sun is an issue and it's going to be an issue.

Thankfully I'm not complaining about it.

I'm glad we got sunny skies and don't have to deal with any rain today, but the sun is going to be an issue for the players looking up for those high pop ups.

And that time, that's just something that usually Taylor takes it.

Advantage of or here is now Jenna Braswell inside the box.

And you mentioned all of these really high batting averages.

She is averaging 365.

She's got two on base percentage of five two for 18 RBI.

And you know, one thing that I notice as she takes a walk there to get on base.

A lot of these players, not just softball players, they're playing volleyball as well.

They are together probably trying to get a press release.

And Braswell or Mason downs, I should say, was like, I never talked to you about her on base percentage.

632 and she just increased that by, getting on base with the walk.

Now, Jenna Braswell up, and she's looking to advance the runner over to second, Braswell hitting 365 herself.

And we're just going to continue to talk about these batting averages.

I mean, it's impressive, right?

And, you know, you're trying to bunt your your runner here I like the smart move.

We'll see if she tries to do it again.

And she does.

Pops it up pops it behind.

Now you've got two strikes on you though.

And you're likely not going to bunt in this situation.

They're going to have her swing away.

But again that batting average says that that's no big deal.

And Braswell is a three sport star.

Not only does she play volleyball part of that volleyball team to reach the final Four this year, but she was also on the basketball team and they went to the Elite eight.

So now she's in the championship game.

I don't know when these athletes sleep sometimes and that is strike three.

They're laking Kornet with another strike out her fourth of the game every four outs.

It's been a strike out for four.

And it has been fun already.

We're just in the top of the second inning.

And these two pitchers going back and forth inside the circle a lot of fun.

Here's what it looks like around Laken Cornett for the defense here.

For Concord Brooke Jones at third, Kendall Devers at shortstop, Laney Brackett at second base and she's got a pretty strong defensive, unit behind her Maddie Valentine at first, Lexi Kanyon Tanner Walker or Taylor White, excuse me, and Cadence Gannon here in left field.

Hadley Buford now at the plate.

She's in for 48.

She also played basketball.

Has a 4.0 GPA, getting it done in the classroom and on the field, 35 RBI on the season for her.

She's looking for 36.

And that was a good pitch there by Cornett a little bit low I mean it looks like from where we're sitting Addie Buford tall like her sister and that one just a little at the knees, though, but a good strike.

It's a pitcher strike zone.

So far in this game, we've seen it consistently giving the outside strike.

Given the high strike, saying a low strike, I think that's encouraging to to the batter.

You get up there and swing.

There's no need.

Is that a swing and a miss?

Another K for for dead and really having some fun there in the circle.

You could tell two pitches ago she was looking on that outside corner to see if Adley would say she did not, but put it right down the middle and just blew it by her.

So we are two down here in the top of the first, and a runner still on first base for Taylor, trying to get her to advance to second or third.

Try to see if they can get a run here and Brinley McLendon trying to put down the bond.

I can see a strategy here.

West with these batters that follow.

Macy downs on trying to use a little bit of her speed.

Get on base.

She's hitting over 360 for the season.

She's also a volleyball player all state in volleyball.

So there's something to be said about these multi-sport athletes for sure.

All right.

Squares around again tries to put down the bump but it fouls off of her.

So another attempt again.

Now you're you're down in the count oh two.

You're not going to try to bunt this time now.

So trying to advance her with a base hit and Logan Cornett looking for her sixth strike out of the game.

Now lady ready.

Gets her to chase with that rise ball.

Well done by Coronado.

As you mentioned her six so far of the day.

We are headed to the bottom of the second.

After this.

One, two.

Three.

And a change is happening.

Let the groove take over, which is perfect.

The Age of Discovery is now here.

You know what it is?

So I can get.

I am quite overwhelmed.

That's a joy to be in this world.

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I have to tell you, as Wendy's is my favorite when it comes to fast food, I'm not going to argue that I'm a I am a spicy chicken sandwich.

The OG kind of girl.

That's my that's my go to here.

I'm a Baconator.

Okay?

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And I could eat one of their triple cheeseburgers.

I don't think I can do that anymore.

Welcome back.

Now, here in the bottom of the second, you've got Ayla.

Ayla Buford back in the circle and now we see Brooke Jones here up to bat for Concord.

Is that the first ball we've seen in play?

I think it is.

That is the first hit that we have seen outside of a walk.

Two walks.

The first contact so far for many Fournette.

And they've just been outstanding so far to to begin this game Maddie.

Well both of these programs knew exactly what they were getting into when they walked into this game.

Concord trying to win their first title.

Taylor trying to win their 11th overall title.

And you've got two dominant pitchers.

Offense is going to be a premium today.

I'm thinking back.

Buford had two strikeouts in the first inning and I was like, how was that third?

How was the catcher that throughout the runner at second?

So yes, that was the first ball to be put in play.

There's a strike there by good example of that wide strike zone, but it's consistent.

I mean, these the players now know that he's going to get that strike.

So you got to be swinging Molly bat Maddie Ballantine at the plate.

Now for Concord.

If you don't give it to me I'm going to keep taking I'm going to keep throwing it on that outside corner.

Maybe a little off the plate, but I'm going to keep throwing it there until you call it the ball.

And now at this point here in the bottom of the second.

Now granted, they haven't seen the line all the way around, but you just have to be aggressive as a bat.

Or even if you don't like it, foul it off.

See something you do like.

Here's the head coach here for the Concord Pirates and Greg White excited about his team.

He really likes what they bring to the table.

Obviously making it all the way to the championship game here.

And as I mentioned, they haven't won a title as a program yet.

But they've been to this championship game three times.

The last time they were here was in 20, 18.

They were also here at 16 and 15 trying to see if they can get it done.

It's been 2025, a dominant run in the state tournament.

They knocked off Saint Joseph 14 to 5 in the first round, shut out magazine nine to nothing and then shut out Sacred Heart seven to nothing.

So there they are, rolling in the state tournament.

You should try to get that outside corner once again, that time just a little too far outside to get the strike call Kendall Devers here at the plate for Concord.

And this is where you just have to be aggressive.

I'm sure the strike zone is going to adjust and shrink and as the game goes by.

But you just have to be aggressive as a batter inside the box.

Swing things you might not like and foul them off.

And try to get that pitch count up for a la Buford.

I don't know how much that's going to matter, but the more pitches she throws maybe could be an advantage for Concord.

Oh, there it is.

There's that changeup that we've talked about that was pretty good.

You kind of just kind of threw Devers off there.

But that is another K for Buford.

That is her fourth of the day.

Also Arkansas's the official.

Such a beautiful pitch there.

The Arkansas activity Association.

Well done.

That is out.

Number three.

Let's head to a break.

The top of the third after this football and dance this month on Arkansas PBS.

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Welcome back here for the one a state championship game Concorde versus Taylor.

And I love some good trivia here.

West.

Here's our question for this game.

Who was the last school other than Taylor to win a one day softball championship?

You got an idea?

Yeah, I got to go back eight years.

Well, I guess nine years during the Covid year.

And then we'll get we'll give our audience an answer here as the inning unfolds.

But I think you're on the right track.

And I think the team currently on the defensive side of the field right now, Lake and Cornette in the circle might be a clue to what year it was.

Kelly McHenry up now for Taylor McHenry hitting in the eight spot.

Sophomore hitting for 75 587 on base percentage.

Taylor seeing if they can get a runner on base if they can.

And Kelly McHenry and then Aniston, Nolte, you get back to the top of the lineup in Ala. Buford.

But you got to get through Lake and cornet first.

And Kelly McHenry is not going to do it.

That is strikeout number seven for cornet on the game.

And now Aniston Nolte steps into the box.

And I have to say it is impressive right now.

What Cornett is doing with these strikeouts was when you look at the batting averages for the Lady Tigers that we were talking about earlier, she's headed for 24 from the nine spot, right?

521 almost like another leadoff hitter, for Taylor to get on base and have Ayla Buford knock her in.

But she had to walk off triple to beat Jasper in the first round of the state tournament.

Also a part of the volleyball team.

Good.

I there gets to a two and zero hitters count.

Here's a fun fact for you for Aniston, not West.

Her GPA, her batting average higher than her GPA 4.244.05 and you know you're good.

Good Zactly.

Exactly.

You're doing it all pretty well here and now.

Trying to get out.

An average is higher than my GPA, but my GPA was like two.

Well, yeah.

No, I mean, it's not to say it's not.

It's the same.

And there you go.

She draws a walk and she is excited because that means Ayla Buford now back up for the Tigers.

And now you've seen Laken Cornett one complete round all the way around in your batting lineup.

Everyone has seen her one time through.

And so see if they approach is a little different here.

One time through the batting order, no hits, given up, two walks, seven strikeouts.

All seven outs came from the strikeout.

But she keeps jumping ahead.

That's one of the great things.

You know, when as a batter are constantly in A011 to count, you kind of get a little defensive.

At that one, a little outside though, and it looks pretty good from where we're sitting.

But Ayla Buford able to hold off.

She's got A11 count now and that may be from senior once already.

It helps her.

There we go.

Making some contact here through the infield.

And the Tigers.

Look at that excitement.

That's right.

They can feel that offense starting to get their groove a little bit.

They've now got two on.

First at the top of the third and.

Now they're seeing if they can rally.

And Coach White wants to talk to his infield.

Just calm him down and let them know.

Hey let's not let this get bigger than it is right now.

Let's just get some outs right now.

You got a force out at any base, get back to your fundamentals.

Don't get overwhelmed.

But you could kind of tell they thought the shortstop was going over to cover the bag in a steal attempt, and then Ayla Buford able to put it exactly where she was a handful of steps prior to that moment, where it was pitched outside.

So she just took it to the outside with Beavers moving towards second, opened up a home and it were there.

They weren't.

So now we got a little rally, first and second one out.

And there you go Kendall Hamlin lays down the bat.

She's out at first but advances the runner.

She does her job and now you've got runners in scoring position for the Tigers.

Aniston Nolte standing at third base Ayla Buford at second.

And now we've got Ashland Clark coming up here to bat.

Could not get a run here with just one out for the Tigers.

Clark with 26 RBI on the season.

This is a big chance for her to pick up one or maybe two RBI with the base hit.

It's a good pitch there by Cornett.

We have two down.

Excuse me, I forgot about the K at the top of the inning to start the inning.

So now we've got two outs, two on five.

Another strike on Kendall.

How good as corn been so far.

Ashlyn Clark had only struck.

Struck out three times all year.

That's impressive.

She struck out the first at bat.

So I mean she's got four now.

And Cornett was able to get her earlier looking for to make it two for two with the, count here.

Lily Tharp doing a good job getting that one.

That kind of went away.

And a pop up there to shortstop.

Devers is really at where she needs to be on that play.

And just like that, they are out of the threat.

There's going to see if they can take some of that momentum offensively into their own dugout.

When we get back.

Concord on deck.

I have some glad tidings to impart.

Oh, look at that.

I'm still surprised at how good I am.

Jane Austen was my sister.

I didn't think I would ever study medicine, but here I am.

Absolutely delicious, especially straight out of the oven.

I have never seen anything like this.

I think we have sufficient cause for celebration.

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Welcome back to Shock Stadium here on the University of Central Arkansas campus.

Good to be with you here.

Here in the bottom of the third, we asked you that trivia question earlier.

Who was the last school other than Taylor?

One of the championship was.

One of our viewers texted me, Nemo Vista.

There it is.

Wow.

Nemo Vista 2016. Who defeated Concord in that championship game?

And that feels like a long time ago, almost ten years ago there in 2016, the last time Taylor did not win.

That is how impressive and dominant this program has been.

And as we've mentioned, trying to win their 11th overall, their eighth in a row.

We've got a Wofford back in the circle Brianna Jones here at the plate.

She's followed by Laney Brackett and Lexi Cannon trying to get some runners on base.

See if they can get some of that momentum.

Taylor trying to have at the top of the inning and score this game's first run.

West bottom third of the lineup up for Greg White's Pirates.

Trying to get some base runners for the top of the lineup, and Laken Cornett when she comes back around outside trying to get her to change.

You can see there that's exactly what they wanted.

Kendall Hamlin setting her stance up outside of the plate there, but really good discipline by Brianna Jones not to swing at that pitch.

To could hit.

Where is that that one great catch there.

Braswell coming by Gina Braswell they're falling to make it happen.

Keeping Jones off the base and that as a pitcher is exactly what you want from your defense.

Well, Braswell is first step was the step.

She came in and to her left, she read it perfectly off the bat.

And, you couldn't have a misstep or that that's a base hit.

She read that perfectly off the bat.

Well done there by Braswell out in center field.

Shout out to the outfielders.

I was one of those in high school.

And yeah, it's so hard sometimes to not take that first step backwards, because that's sometimes what you're taught is to take that first step.

But the way that that ball was falling so fast, she was able to get it moving in the right direction there.

Let us be honest too.

In this game, it's hard to stay focused because there's been no action whatsoever to the outfield.

It's been a lot of strikeouts and not a lot of balls in play.

And she was able to stay focused, ready to go for her opportunity and a great play there in centerfield to keep, leadoff hitter off the base.

Yes, it was.

And you're absolutely right.

We've talked a lot about these pitchers, but you also have to credit the defense around them.

And behind them they're doing work.

But they know if I make a mistake, I will probably would admit to making right there.

She's got the talent behind her to back her up.

And then she was trying to buster inside with it and quick bat from Jones and was able to get the bat on the ball.

Had a chance.

Laney Brackett with the strikeout just then.

And this is Lexi Cannon now the number nine batter for Concord here trying to get on base to bring back up Laken Cornett in the top of this batting order.

But right now, I think Ayla Buford with A11 count against Lexi Cannon trying to get the Tigers out of the inning.

Back in the dugout.

Looks like Buford got control of her game now on right at the beginning.

Maybe, like we said, maybe some nerves.

She walked a batter.

That's uncharacteristic to her.

It's going to change up there.

That cannon, that one a little higher.

It looked huge coming in.

She got she wanted a swing.

And you sometimes just that timing.

You get thrown off just a little bit, but there's nothing you can do.

It's like you're your body wants to swing.

Even if your mind's saying, don't do it, don't do it.

And that is.

They say that she didn't go around so called two two.

Now I was ready to go west, but I'm not on for something else to say about that one.

But you know, Lexi still standing in the box, so I'm sure he got West.

That's why you're over here?

Yeah, he's got a better angle than I do.

A full count now for Lexi Cannon.

Let's see what Buford chooses to do in this situation.

Or if Concord can get a base runner here.

Got to go after the nine hole hitter.

And there it is, a strike out for Buford to get out of the inning.

Okay, so just like that, we're headed to break scoreless.

Still between Taylor and Concord as we now head to the top of the fourth.

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There you go, Izzy.

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West.

We need her up here doing these batting averages and on base percentage.

Do we need Izzy here in the booth with us?

That would be a lot of fun.

Welcome back year.

We're now in the top of the fourth and we've got Macy Downs here in the batter's box for Taylor.

And again like cornered in the circle for Concord.

She's got a two count on her swing.

Pops it up into foul territory.

So she'll get another opportunity to try to get on base.

So thank you.

This is the only one that's been on base right?

She's had a walk in the first inning hitting 543 and such a good hitter.

She was mad at herself for fouling that ball off.

She's tough inside that one.

She was still upset.

You know off of that 131 count.

Now for her.

And look I think at this point West I think we can agree a walk is just as good as a base hit in this game.

Second best on base percentage for the team.

And she does it again for her second walk of the day to get on base for the Tigers, a leadoff runner.

Now at first we'll see if they can take advantage of this opportunity as Jenna Braswell, who just made that spectacular catch to center field now up to bat.

Braswell hitting 365, you gotta wonder.

Well, they try to bunt her over, get a runner in scoring position out West.

It's like you're a fortune teller.

This is the one thing we've noticed, though, with bunting for both teams.

The inability to get the bunt down and it's hard.

I understand.

But it's in games like these where we know runs are going to be at a premium, especially base runners to you got lay the bunt down.

So we'll see if she does it for this second attempt here.

I figured they would since they had Kendall Hamlin their two hitter.

But bunting earlier.

They're going to hit unfortunate catch popped up caught back there by Lily Tharp.

And that is out number one of the inning.

And that's just not what you want when you're trying to advance base runners.

With the bunt that ball a little high and she just raised her bat there to pop it up into the air instead of down onto the ground.

Here's a replay.

West Force Base is awesome, as you said than done.

But you know, when you get a chance against Lake and Cornell, you got to take advantage of it.

And right now, Taylor hasn't been able to do it.

They had runners on second and third, couldn't score in the last inning, get a leadoff walk, unable to advance her.

And so now, Buford is going to try to do it, a different way.

Adley, this time up at the bat, she's hitting 448 for the season.

Already behind in the count, oh one.

Oh, and there's that outside corner which we've seen go both ways a little bit west today consistently calling it.

So we took the batters know that now.

So.

They can contact great ball there right in no man's land.

And now you've got two on for the Tigers.

And that's what you want Posey right out there right over the shortstops head but still too shallow for that left fielder to run in and grab it.

And a great piece of hitting there by Adley Buford sitting back.

Patient takes it opposite side.

Brinley McClintock.

And now you've got two on an opportunity I'm sure coach White for Concord.

Coach McHenry for Taylor's telling the hitters look they're calling that outside pitch.

So you know what.

Go ahead and swing it.

Just take it the other way.

And we've seen that twice already.

Now for for Taylor Buford did that in the last inning.

And now they get another opposite field here.

But if you know that outside ball is going to be called a strike just take it the other way.

Go with it.

Brinley McLendon there with that failed bunt attempt.

And we keep talking about it.

I think if we were to ask the head coaches, they probably tell us they wish they were bunting better a little bit today.

But just doing anything they can small ball basics, anything to get some base runners advanced and to score a run here in this game.

Look at downs there on second base.

She got there with the leadoff walk.

Buford on first at yeah.

Struck out her first time at bat.

This is her second time seeing Cornett.

Lays off that outside pitch right way ahead.

Way ahead.

Again there to stay off that rise ball to guarantee you it looks good out of cornets hand.

But that just goes to show when you face the pitcher a second time, you got a better idea of her tendencies and what she's going to pitch at.

You.

It is strike number three that is hard to lay off.

But again, that's a situation where your hitters just you have to battle.

Even if you don't like it, foul it off.

Try to see if you can see something else you like because you're second day of the day for McLendon.

And now it's two outs for eighth strike out of the day for Cornett.

Trying to work out a little trouble here in the top of the for runners on first and second.

And a high strike there on Kaylee McHenry.

Oh!

Foul ball.

Strike two.

Oh, and two count now for Cornett McKinney.

She's got 32 RBI sitting there at the bottom of the lineup.

Most RBI at the bottom of the lineup.

She's been in some big situations this year and been able to come through, see if she can do it here for her team.

The top of the fourth.

No patience there to lay off the first ball at her at bat there for one and two count.

Now for McHenry.

It's cornered and.

All too patient.

Good.

I a lot of coaches like to put another good clutch RBI hitter in that eight spot.

Kind of see it as a second cleanup hitter.

And that's what McKinney has been able to do this season.

For Taylor.

It is ball three now.

She's got a full count.

And you mentioned it was A587 on base percentage.

And that that just shows patience, especially here at the bottom of the lineup.

Understands the value there of just getting on base.

Making contact finds the ball.

They're going to send her around and.

There it is.

There is the first run of the game for Taylor.

And they're up one nothing.

And just like that we talked about it Kaylee McHenry 32 RBI on the season.

Now make it 33 as she gives herself and her team the lead.

And that is just patient hitting again, getting and taking what the pitcher gives you and finding that open spot right there in left center field and good distance due to allow downs to come around in the end.

School and another accident there.

She's going to score another run.

That was Anderson Nolte with that pop up.

That was just misjudged out there in center field.

And just like that, Taylor's got a two nothing lead.

But the aggressiveness of Taylor paid off with down scoring from second.

I wasn't sure if they were going to send her or not.

And their base coach was aggressive, center scored easily without a throw.

And then you get Nulty with a little pop up, a little blooper Texas League blooper falls in where they work, and you get a two to nothing lead and a two out rally here for the Tigers.

As we go back to the top of the lineup and Taylor Buford tops this one over the left fielders head up to the wall.

That will score two, and she clears the bases as the Tigers add two more to the scoreboard.

And just like that, on that two out rally I believe they scored two.

Yes okay.

Difference in the only one on base.

Perfect.

So there you go a two out rally a four nothing game.

Now how about the McHenry?

No team Buford all coming up big with two outs.

And all of a sudden we had a pitcher's duel and they've blown it open.

Four straight runs.

Buford, you saw the power for Buford.

That time.

Just the left fielder thought she had to play on it.

Next thing you know, it's over her head and bouncing off the fence with two outs.

Both runners were moving and they were able to score easily.

You also see their two with Ella taking it opposite side and oh no mother misfortune is going to score another run here at the third on an accidental drop there by the right fielder Lexi Cannon.

And again, we don't know where the sun is really located, but it looks like kind of right over there in right field.

Might be tough, but that's one she's going to want back because that hits the glove.

And she just closes that glove prematurely to see that ball drop on the ground.

And it is now a five nothing game.

And.

Make that six nothing less.

That was a solid base hit yet a sinking in the line drive out in the right field.

Tough play.

I know Lexi thinks she should have made that play and probably would make it most of the time.

And now you just have all that momentum and it's, Concord just needs one of those timeouts.

If it was basketball or football, you'd be calling the timeout and, trying to regroup things right now and maybe that one to the mound wouldn't be the worst thing.

That was Ashlyn Clark.

And she just scored that sixth run of the game, and that was Macy Downs, which brought us back to where we started here in the top of the fourth.

But it didn't matter.

The Tigers putting up six runs here on a two out rally, and that's quite a cushion as they now take the field and see if Concord can do anything to cut into that lead.

We'll be right back from UCA after this.

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Welcome back.

And if you're just now joining us, you might be saying six nothing.

What's going on.

Well the Taylor Tigers able to put up six at the top of the fourth I here now Concord can answer back cutting into that lead.

But West all of that unfolding with two outs for the Tigers.

And that is just discipline on that offensive side to just take advantage of some mistakes and and McHenry singles and no team with the fielding error gets on base.

Buford doubles.

Hamlin gets on with another fielding error.

And then, Clark finishes it off with the single.

Right now you can see Taylor's got all the momentum.

Just the way they're out there, the way they just got that play.

I mean they're just a little aggressive.

Scooped it up into first.

They all come together.

They're just feeling it right now.

All the confidence in the world.

And Concord's got to get a little something to get the momentum back, to get to get back in the game, to try to get something going.

And you can tell it feels like the Tigers maybe a little more loose out there than they were in the third inning.

And that was Lincoln Cornett, who grounded out to second base for the first out of the inning.

Back at the top of the order for Concord, Taylor white now at bat, the center fielder here, she walked her first time up trying to see if she can get on base for her team and sta And you get somebody on base, and that's what Cornett was trying to do.

She was aggressive, saw a pitch she like, just hit it right after the second baseman.

Now white tries to get a little rally and that's you know that's what Taylor was able to do.

We talked about the two out rally.

You got three outs to play with to start the rally here.

Get on base.

Good slap bunt attempt there by white.

But it goes foul for strike number two here in Buford's mind.

And as a pitcher after you get six runs.

Now let's go.

You know let's get a shut down inning.

Let's get back in the dugout.

Let's get back out there and hit some more score some more runs, especially when you contribute to that six run rally with two RBI of your own.

And that really nice double.

She had over the left fielder had no doubt that was the hardest hit ball that we've seen so far in the game.

Taking it the other way, taking this left field to the fence.

Taylor White still battling here with A22 count again.

Walked her first time.

And as we've mentioned a walk just as good of reaching for that high rise ball.

And just out of her way swing and a miss for outnumber two.

And you could kind of tell the way that she held up there a little bit where she she didn't want it.

And then all of a sudden last second, it's like her body to took her momentum around and she swung at it anyway.

It is so tempting, so holding up there.

It's so hard to hold back sometimes in that, in that, that, that opportunity and you want it and then.

You miss.

I've been there when you see it and you just kind of floating and you think, well, it could drop at the last second drop in there as a, as a strike.

I don't want to, you know, just watch it go by and get caught out on strike.

So you just put a swing on and try to knock it away.

Lily Tharp here, the catcher for Concord now at bat, struck out her first time facing Ayla Buford.

Behind in the count.

Now one and two.

Start hitting 430 on the season.

One of the better hitters for this Concord team.

One of Buford seven strikeouts.

That was strike three, but she, bobbled there behind the plate.

And so she's able to advance, get to first base.

Even though it was a drop.

Strike three.

Because Kendall Hamlin dropped it.

She was able to get up and run.

And so hey, the Tigers were able to have a two out rally.

Let's see if the Pirates can do one of their own.

With now.

Lily Tharp on first base, a swing through Hamlin off a little, but it was low inside and just caused her to just miss the ball.

Fooled her.

Brooke Jones, now the third baseman for Concord.

She's got one on foul ball, one strike.

Jones, the cleanup hitter for Concord.

She was able to get the bat on the ball, one of the few with eight strikeouts already for Buford.

And she's looking at her 12th hitter of the day.

Pretty good ratio.

Eight of the first 11 to struck out.

Oh what a pitch and what a pitch.

And there's that changeup you talked about.

And that one was pretty.

You can see Jones she wanted to hold off try to get that timing didn't swing.

And that one just floated right down the middle.

First strike.

Outs to back to back to back.

Hey if you want to try it again, why not?

Another came for Buford and we are now headed to the top of the fifth here in Conway.

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Well, with two on here in the fourth, let's look back at how Taylor was able to put up six runs.

Kaylee McHenry getting the scoring going with a single to left that scored Macy Downs to get the first run on the board.

And then Aniston, Nolte taking advantage of some errors.

That's going to score some more.

But we talked about it ala Buford the double to deep left field, clearing the bases for two RBI, Kendall Hamlin joining the scoring as well an RBI for her as Lexi Cannon comes in to score.

And just like that, it was a six nothing game.

And West we talked about it just felt like it escalated so quickly for the Tigers.

And with two outs able to put six on the board, just so impressive for them to be able to do what they're doing.

And you could tell they're playing a little looser now.

And as we now see Jenna Braswell step into the box, she's seeing if maybe they can add some more here in the top of the fifth.

You know, those were the highlights, but it seemed to happen that fast.

It was that fast.

It was just bam, bam, bam, bam, one after another.

It went from, you know, that you get that single one to nothing game.

You thought that was so huge.

And then you look up and all of a sudden it's six to nothing.

It was truly an avalanche by Taylor there in the fourth inning.

I didn't feel like we were able to even talk about what had happened before.

Something else did happen again.

And here we are at a six nothing game in favor of the Taylor Tigers.

As I mentioned, Jenna Braswell at the plate facing off against Laken Cornet for the third time.

She struck out her first time and popped up to catcher the second time.

Out of those six runs that scored to, there were one one earned run.

That's it.

The other five were unearned for Laken Cornet.

Okay, I do need to talk to the scorekeeper.

I don't know about the air on the high.

That little pop up behind the second baseman in between that was just in no man's land.

That was a tough play for the second baseman.

She was trying to get back there.

I don't think she ever got a glove on it.

I think it was over her glove.

And in between the two, I don't know, I would call that an error.

I think that's just a hard luck base hit for, for coming.

Just fortunate for her.

I think you got a good argument there.

Jenna Braswell draws the walk, which brings up adlib Orford, who helped kind of get things going last inning, getting on base and seeing if she could do it again.

We talk about here the power that we saw from the bottom of this lineup to keep that rally going.

Three of those runs coming from the bottom four of this lineup, including Adley, Buford, only a freshman.

So, you know, she's got all kinds of air right up the middle.

And just under the glove of the shortstop there Kendall Devers.

And just like that, West I don't blame the bad runners on the base.

Buford two coming through for Taylor.

We've talked a lot about Ayla and what she's done on the mound.

Of course her double to the wall.

But now Hadley gets back on base and we got another rally going for Taylor McLendon up to bat.

She struck out twice in the two times she's faced Blake and Cornett.

Now she sets down the bun.

That one goes foul to try to advance the runners here.

And we talked about the bunting.

We'll see if we can find someone who can lay down a bunt.

Was really give it a bunt attempt.

She's hitting 364.

She gets on base a lot.

Her on base percentage well over 500.

Only 12 RBI on the year.

So this is probably a position where they've asked her to bond a lot there.

It is really well done there.

Down the line draws the pitcher off the mark.

Excuse me.

The first base second baseman.

That was a unique set up there.

I'm sorry about that.

But able to pull that together and get the out there.

But the runners do advance.

And so she does her job for a second baseman.

Came charging in, took it slip down and heads up play by her to tag out.

No, no, I didn't know that the second baseman was covering that way.

I didn't see, you know, they were set up in the field and I don't know if I've ever seen that.

Kaylee McHenry now up to bat.

Daughter of head coach Courtney McHenry, which I don't know how often we've show coach McHenry on the broadcast today, but.

Her team is rolling so far.

Henry came up big the last time.

See if she can do it again.

She kind of got things rolling for them with the hit and the RBI.

Up and good pitch there by Cornett.

That changeup kind of had McHenry frozen there.

But that's okay.

Just the first strike of her at bat.

She's still ahead 2 to 1 Courtney McHenry right now that's a good pitch by Cornett.

When you're down two zero be able to throw that changeup in there.

They're thinking and probably going to see something straight coming in and folder with that Off-speed pitch.

As.

A31 count.

There it is.

Full count.

She walks and we now have bases loaded.

So the Tigers with just one out with base runners at third, second and first, an opportunity for Aniston.

Nolte, who walked her first time had that, had that hit that was ruled an error.

Those extra two run nobody for that really needs a strikeout here.

It's a number nine hitter in the lineup.

Now she's hitting over for 24.

So she's a good hitter.

But you don't.

You want to try to have two outs with Ayla Buford coming up next.

Yeah.

And you don't have anywhere to put Nolte right now.

And so you've got to be able to see if you can have your defense turn a double play, get out of this jam, or strike her out and go with two outs here as you face Ayla Buford.

But walking her is not what you're trying to do right now.

That first ball, a little high and outside.

That's a good hit.

And that is caught by the right fielder deep enough, it looks like to know they're not going to send her out.

So the runner at second picked up the runner at second, tacked to and got halfway there.

But they didn't catch that and could have thrown behind her and gotten out on the bases.

Not sure why they didn't send the runner, but no, I don't either.

And of course we can't see much, from where we're at, but I think that's the best case scenario.

Now, if you're in Concord, because she seems deep enough to be able to score from home from third and you're looking on the replay, you know what?

The runner on third took off at the hit and she sort of had to come on.

Once you have to come by the time tag back to tag, they didn't feel comfortable with her tagging.

Yeah, that's that is tough.

So that is a big break there for Concord now with two outs and a Buford up but no damage there on that deep pop fly.

Well you know if you're not sure after she got off to, you know, slow tag, you got Ayla Buford coming up next.

You don't want to make the third out at home plate.

So when you have such a good hitter coming up next, just be safe with it and let her, make up for a little bit of a mistake.

That one bouncing into, ball number three here against Allen.

This is interesting.

I'm curious.

You know, you're Cornett.

You just saw Buford take a ball deep left field off the wall.

Bounces off the wall.

There's that strike.

That's good.

You don't want to see her do it again.

So you want to be selective with the pitches you're sending her way.

Careful.

Throwing it up outside.

You get it up a little bit.

Buford is going to take it the other way.

We've already seen her do it once.

Bases still loaded.

Two outs for the Tigers.

Popped it up.

It's looking like it's deep.

Right field up.

Center fielder there in right center field.

Catches it just in front of a warning track.

And just like that, Concord gets out of the jam.

No damage done.

And we are headed to the bottom of the fifth.

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Mom.

Well.

Welcome back.

And we are here rocking and rolling for the first game of our high school softball state championship games here in Conway on the University of Central Arkansas campus there at Shark Stadium.

Hey, shout out to our camera crew guys.

I know they're working hard and it's going to be hot out there, so make sure they got some water.

Well, you know, they're thankful for this, weather.

Also, they're going to be out in it all day, every day.

And they've got some beautiful weather to work with.

They got some nice scaffolding to stand on to.

Those high rises are pretty nice.

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Legion legend.

I don't know why I'm reading that.

Right, right.

Legends.

Legion.

Legion.

You were right.

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Like American Legion scaffolding.com.

They're legends, but.

Okay.

See?

It's still early.

What time is it?

Have we hit noon yet?

No.

Not yet.

All right.

I can pull the it's early card.

Please forgive me if you're watching back home.

Here we are in the bottom of the fifth.

This is Maddie Valentine.

She struck out her first time at bat, but trying to get stuff going here for Concord.

And what a pitch there by Ala Buford, I hate to say she got off to a slow start because they didn't do any damage against her, but she you just see how much more comfortable she is in inside the circle right now.

Four innings pitch, one walk.

That is it.

Nine strikeouts.

Getting Chase there for another strikeout.

And you're right though I think as a pitcher this kind of runs support from your offense just makes you feel a lot more relaxed.

You can just be more comfortable in the circle.

You can be more aggressive with your pitch selection.

And I say you're off.

And she's a big part of that as well, and the big part of the scoring.

But she's now got an opportunity to just sit back and do what she does best.

That's one of those times.

There's no doubt who the championship game MVP is right now at Buford.

And the circle just been outstanding.

And then driving in some runs with her double it.

Almost did it again.

I mean she hit ball out to the basically to the wall again this time that they were able to get back and catch it.

But Buford has been, just outstanding, I guess I should say.

Ella Buford, because the Buford first was in the circle.

Kendall Devers now at bat, got A02 count on her.

Now to one and two count on her.

She struck out her first time at bat, but a lot of her teammates did against Ala Buford trying to just get something going offensively here for Concord.

If they want to get back into this game here in the bottom of the fifth.

But that is strikeout number two of the inning.

And for Buford we just saw her I think pitch that same pitch against Maddie Ballantine just outside.

Get her to reach.

They set outside to set up outside just a little bit and able to reach there just under that ball.

A great pitch selection and that's what we said.

She's got a lot of freedom right now to do whatever she wants right now.

You see it again that that outside ball is being called a strike.

And so they're just peppering the outside and and sometimes they'll get, Concord to swing at it.

Sometimes they don't.

It's hard to lay off of it.

But now, you got to swing at it.

Okay.

There you go.

Brianna Jones, fallen for, not foul.

There it is.

Pop up there to Buford.

Here's nobody left on base.

An easy 123 inning for Taylor.

And they're back up as we head to the six.

Stick around.

We'll be right back.

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Right now it's looking like the Taylor Tigers in control of this one.

Six nothing over Concord looking for their 11th program title here on the softball diamond.

Welcome back.

Great to be with you here in the top of the sixth.

The Tigers at bat now Kendall Hamlin.

This is her fourth time now through the lineup facing lake in corner and in the circle for Concord.

Hamlin's one for two on the day.

She has a strikeout.

Hamlin hitting 369.

Two hitter for the Taylor Lady.

Tigers two three, four up in this inning.

That one looked like it hit off just the, hands of the bat there.

And a foul ball.

One and two.

The count and inside, she's going to check her swing inside what had nicked her.

Yeah.

So those batting gloves are for kind of protect the hands as much as possible.

It's still going to hurt a little bit.

And that one looked like it hit the the but knob.

No it looked like it hit the knob of the bat.

But she's saying it hit her elbow I don't I think let's see if we can replay it.

It looked like it hit the knob.

I think you're right.

And initially I thought it hit the knob.

May have nicked her elbow on the way back.

It's watch here.

The replay.

Oh, maybe it is her elbow because I don't see the bat go all the way around.

Go back to that siding.

That's the one that would give us a good look.

Doesn't really matter.

Doesn't matter too much.

Yeah.

We'll know if she's got a bruise on her elbow.

The end of the game.

Yeah.

Hit the elbow right there.

So she had an argument to be made.

And she's still in the batter's box though, because she stepped out of the batter's box for a second and let that thing get red.

Will get red and have the proof.

I'm sure she might go up and show her after the catch.

That hit there pops it up.

Kendall Hamlin foul ball gets another opportunity added here with A22 count.

Little bit elbow.

You see a little not there.

Going already.

Yeah right there I think she's got yeah.

She she definitely had an argument, but nothing you can do about it.

Then she crowds that plate, though I will have to say there's ball four to get her on base, but.

Really leans over the plate there, which when I was a batter, I was not about that.

I wanted a little bit more room.

I didn't like to be cramped.

I'm kind of like that when I play golf, too.

I don't like to be cramped.

I want to swing for.

She is showing her coach the left elbow but checked out.

Okay, see, this was more of my style.

Yeah, I wasn't I wasn't leaning over home plate much.

I look like this.

That one bounces ahead of the plate for ball one for Ashlyn Clark.

And she struck out her first time.

Popped up her second time and got on base.

But she's got a runner to work with now at first base to see if she can add to oh, the six oh lead the Tigers have right now.

Foul ball.

Lily Tharp did a good job pitch before got down, blocked it.

Kept that runner from advancing to second base.

That's a big runner over at first base.

If Taylor is able to score and get that seventh run, that one bounced off her helmet, foul ball and I thought she was shaking her hand.

When she came up, it went off her bat and hit her in the helmet.

Tharp again goes down and digs it out.

The rest of running and Taylor takes second base on the ball in the dirt.

Yeah, yeah.

Hamlin able to be aggressive over there.

And so now that takes away the force play at second.

Now Stanton on second base is Hannah Clark still at the plate.

We talk about pitch count for softball which is so different West than baseball.

Foul ball.

Hey let's go play Lake and Cornett.

Here is the steal the throw late and no good for the second baseman to back up that throw.

There.

Lake in cornet over 100 pitches so far in this game.

And that just speaks to just the way that these softball pitchers have those abilities to have high pitch counts and pitch complete games.

It's a lot different than in baseball with the arm movement and the wear and tear.

Not as big on these pitchers arms as it is in baseball.

What is a high number for a softball pitch where you're up there like, oh yeah, that's getting up there to where it may be too many.

Is it?

Does it ever reach a point?

I think so, just because of it.

It's all about endurance and stamina with the each individual pitcher.

But in your college ranks, you can have someone throw 130, 140 pitches, a game, and then come back the next day and pitch a complete game as well.

We were looking at a college softball tournament for the GAC a couple weeks ago, and there was one pitcher over 300 total pitches in two days and was a lot.

So it just kind of shows that softball pitching very different than than in baseball.

And you can pitch back to back days as we now have runners on first and second for the Tigers and Macy Downs sends that one back up the middle.

That will not score Hamlin and stop at third.

Clark's at second downs at first with the base hit, but now you've got bases loaded, no outs for Jenna Braswell, who is now at the plate.

See if she can get a run in for her teammates and Hamlin had to hesitate off second base.

She, took a couple of steps and paused, look back, saw that it was going to drop, then took off, and by then she just couldn't couldn't risk it to come home.

And there's no need to right now.

Taylor up six nothing.

Just oh, you don't need to be as aggressive as you were when that was zero zero and you trust your offense.

You have the stats that you do offensively up and down this lineup.

I think they're pretty confident they can score at least one run here with no outs and bases loaded.

And of course Concord would like to think otherwise.

They got out of a jam in the top of the fifth trying to do it again here in the sixth.

They got their infield in, bringing in everybody tight.

Probably come home with it.

Try to keep that seventh run off the board.

Braswell today is zero for two.

But she did have a walk earlier.

And that's that's really been the only thing Laken cornets done poorly with seven walks now on the game.

That's been way too many base runners for this Taylor Tigers team.

Looking at this offense you mentioned them in.

That's because they're going home.

They can't afford to have Tigers.

The Tigers score any more runs here to try to stay in this game.

And they're daring Braswell to punch it past them into the outfield because their play at play is at home right now and only at home if she's able to make any kind of contact, like that aggressive swing on a Braswell there on that three one count, she did it again.

Couldn't get any contact on it.

Good pitch from Lake and it went back to back.

Little inside pitches and couldn't get around on a quick enough to make any contact.

For free throw for Hadley Buford.

That is her ninth strikeout on the day.

For Cornett, it was a big one with bases loaded to get the first out of the inning, and your infield is still pinched in.

There's still one out, but if she is able to strike out Adley Buford here, they can relax a little bit and get out of this jam.

But Buford has had a lot of success so far today at the plate.

Things have been big for them today.

It's been fun to watch them play.

And we're looking for her third hit to foul ball.

She didn't like it anyway.

She could tell she was frustrated with herself when she made that contact.

So she gets another chance at it once to keep this going here.

And.

It always off that one.

That was good.

A22 count.

Now for Buford.

And when you're playing in a championship game like this West, you just I remember as a softball player, you just want to play your best softball right now and contribute as much as you can.

And you can see it from this Taylor Tigers team that they're dialed in, they're focused.

And, and they're hard on themselves.

I've noticed Taylor 7 to 19 with runners on trying to get that eighth hit right now the big six this one into shallow left field that is going to drop.

And it looks like that is going to score maybe three at least two.

But that kind of unfortunately for Concord there.

And it hit.

And then it bounced away from the left fielder there.

And she had to turn around and go get it.

And I can understand as you're as a left fielder, you want to be aggressive.

I think you could have been a little more aggressive.

Try to catch that.

You didn't want it to get past you.

And unfortunately, I think she was hesitant on what she wanted to do.

And it went past are able to score two runs and now the Tigers are up eight to nothing.

The left hander went up to the field.

When you go up the field like that, it's got that spin.

It's almost like a a slight spin in golf and it just hit, bounced left on her and let allows a couple runs.

But I just like Buford putting the pressure on long back, you know being aggressive with it.

And good things happen sometimes when you hit the ball like that.

Pick up a couple of runs, a couple RBI and the league grows day.

I've been really impressed, as you mentioned, with Buford, a freshman in this lineup, as a starter.

You can tell she, follows in her sister's footsteps very well.

But a lot of talent, a big, bright future for her as well with this Tigers program, as her sister moves on to play in the college ranks and she gets to see what the next three years hold for her.

Carly McHenry up right now.

She struck out her first time, but next she walked and, got a walk in her third appearance here in the fifth inning.

Seen a lot of action in the last three innings for McHenry and single and scored a run and walked stranded and had a little rally going in the fifth.

But sixth inning.

Now they've taken advantage of it.

Scored two runs.

To pitch it out is going to end the inning.

A good strike out there by Cornett, but the damage was added to two more runs on the board for the Tigers.

Concord trying to give themself a shot after this.

I love it, we're on the precipice of a great discovery.

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If you're the Taylor Tigers to make it, you know this could be this could be it.

This is the beginning.

This is a big inning for Ala Buford.

Not going to jinx her, but, she has been outstanding today.

Almost perfect.

She gave up a walk earlier, but, that's been it.

Five innings, 11 strikeouts for ala Buford.

You know, you've already jinxed her once today, Wes.

How did three.

Yeah.

That's it.

She only had three walks on the entire season.

Yeah.

Now he's over here.

You know, it's okay, though.

She'll forgive you.

I'm sure she's doing it on the nerves.

You know, Chip, I mean, even though she's been a state MVP of the finals three years in a row, 2022, 2023, 2024 and three outs away from being the state MVP in 2025.

But she has been just no jinx here.

I think you're right.

I think you're right.

I like to give you a hard time, but she has been wheeling and dealing ever since her team gave her that six run cushion to work with.

You could just again, we've talked about it.

You could tell she's feeling a lot more confident, comfortable in the circle with that kind of lead.

Laney Brackett up to bat for Concord Laney bracket Lexi Cannon the bottom of the lineup and then Lincoln Cornett to round it out.

And Concord trying to get some runs across here to keep this game going.

Laney Brackett strikes out her first strike out.

That is not English strikeout.

It's still before noon.

That's going to be my excuse.

Struck out her first time at bat.

That's how efficient she's been.

This is her second at bat.

She's only you know that we're in the sixth inning.

And, when you get three up, three down, pretty much.

Well, it has been 3 or 3 down every evening because the one baserunner they got was thrown out at second base.

So it has been a very efficient day for Buford.

There it is.

Strike out to start the inning.

Buford just looking more and more comfortable there in the circle.

Lexi Cannon up to bat to try to get things going here for the Pirates.

Gets that ball on the ground.

A little blooper to shortstop, but that is no problem.

Out number two and the defense picking it up for Buford when she needed it.

It's been such a good game for her.

As we've mentioned.

West 12 strikeouts.

Just that one walk on the day, 69 pitches.

And we talked about Cornett over 100 pitches.

She's just at 69 right now.

49 of those have been strikes.

No errors for Taylor now.

Not that they've had a lot of opportunities with 12 strikeouts and what now 1717 at bats.

But they've done a good job in the field.

Also.

A11 count on Lexi Cannon here.

Two outs.

Bottom of the sixth.

And with the high stuff right there.

That was that's that's hard to hit right the corner.

Just couldn't get around on it, but saw that come in and took a rip.

Sometimes it's hard to lay off those high balls.

And there it is.

Strike number three.

That's outnumber three two.

I think some people were wondering okay, is that it?

And really how it works?

Where's the celebration?

What are we doing?

Okay.

All right we're going to go.

On a break.

But I'm pretty sure okay.

We're going to go on a break.

We'll be right back this month on Arkansas PBS.

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It has been fun calling this game also orange alongside Westmore, and we apologize for the confusion there at the bottom of the six, West and I both thought the run rule was seven after five, it is ten after five, and so it is an eight nothing game right now in favor of the Taylor Tigers.

They are the away team here in the top of the seventh.

So Concord will have one more opportunity to see if they can make any kind of comeback here in this one a state championship game.

Bottom of the line up, up and north for Taylor looking to get a leadoff hitter on base.

She is one for two today or oh, for two.

The score to run.

She had a walk and then I think she should have had a hit for that pop up over the second baseman.

I'm giving her a hit and making it one for two with the run scored.

We'll let you do that.

West.

I agree that was a hard ball to get to it.

If you were watching any of the Arkansas softball regional from this past weekend for the Razorbacks, a very similar hit in that Oklahoma State game, that Kaylee Davidson was able to behind her shoulder, behind her back, kind of make that catch made a great catch.

That's what they would have had to do to make that catch.

So I think it's a hit.

I'm I'm with you.

That was an outstanding catch.

It was.

That's right.

College player.

Right.

You know exactly one of the top players in the SEC.

And so to ask a high school player to make that that's a little tough and to give her an error on top of it.

Yeah.

So okay I'm with you there.

Makes contact there, pushes it fair over third base, squeezes it past the third base and great pitcher heading there by Anderson okay.

And she is standing at second base.

That brings up the top of the lineup.

And once again West.

What a treat.

We get to see Ala Buford back one more time.

Oh that was a rip by Nulty to get things started for her.

Hit their eight for 26.

They're hitting over 300 in the state championship game against a really good pitcher.

So it tells you a lot about this Taylor lady Tigers lineup.

It also tells you two just how it's come so quickly since the fourth inning.

When you look at how this game started.

Strikeouts, strikeouts a couple hits and some outs there.

They didn't have any runs on the board until the fourth.

And so it's gotten, added to and built on very quickly here to put up these eight runs for the Tigers.

But that's just how lethal this Taylor Tigers offense is.

And if it gets going, it can get going in a hurry.

It is on display right now.

Yeah.

When they get going they they've been impressive.

Fourth inning scored six fifth inning.

They had an opportunity.

They had runners on base.

Just could not get that big hit six.

Nothing they did scored a couple more runs.

Buford for the day is two is two for four.

Scored a run two hits.

Like I said two RBI came close to a third RBI.

She's the one who flew out to the to the wall to end the inning, and in the fifth did not score any runs.

Good patience there to make it A31 count on Buford here at the top of the seventh.

It's not like, as you mentioned, we just saw her finish things in the circle in the bottom of the sixth, and she's just been so dominant ever since that six run lead.

And just like that pokes it right back up the middle a base hit for dessert.

That's going to school lunches.

And it is a nine and nothing game in favor of the Tigers.

No outs as we now have Kendall Hamlin at the plate.

Buford moves to three for five on the day.

Look at that.

Just straight right up the middle.

And it was hit so hard.

The centerfielder didn't have far to go but almost didn't get there.

She barely cut that off.

Or they just rolling all the way to the wall.

And Buford still running.

Ball one here on Hamlin.

That's one thing too I've been really impressed with from Buford.

And including that that hit to left field that scored two runs.

Just the power and the body control that she has that when she makes contact it is going this one deep into left foul ball just up against the wall from Hamlin a little too early on that hit.

But she got every bit of that one.

So that had a chance to get out of it too.

It just landed just short of the wall.

But foul.

Did it again a little bit more foul.

This strike that is a sign of someone excited in the batter's box a little bit ahead of the ball.

If she's pulling it that way to her side, you get that timing, right?

Just a few more seconds and that one's maybe finding that hole in left center field.

Emma swinging, isn't she?

She's got one thing in her mind, you know, hit the ball well.

The sophomore.

This isn't her final game as a Taylor Tiger.

She's got a lot more softball ahead of her.

But yeah she wants to make an impact like she can any way she can here in this final game of the 2025 season for for Taylor you can see it.

She's been waiting for this final At-Bat back to Buford, Ala. Buford, I got a tough question for you.

More impressed with her as a pitcher or hitter.

That is tough.

Honestly, I think it's more impressive the way she's hitting the ball as a pitcher because you don't see very often two way players who do both like that.

And for her to have such success in both, I think it's much more impressive for her to step out of the circle with all of that work she's doing on her arm and being able to have such control and power in the plate or in the box at the plate.

Oh, that big answer by the first sound like a politician.

Me?

Yeah.

Oh no, no, I said, hitting more.

Oh, more impressive as a hitter.

As a pitcher, though.

Yeah.

So if you, you're her college coach and she can only do one.

Well, why would you do that?

I don't know.

Shohei Ohtani is telling everybody that that's a thing of the past year.

The Texas Tech pitcher who I am, blanking on her name, does both, too.

She's been so dominant.

I mean, she was at Stanford and now is at Texas Tech, about to play Florida State in the Super regionals, a chance to go to the Women's College World Series, which I'm sure a lot of these players would love to have aspirations to play in one day.

But, I think just putting people in a pitcher or batter box is, is a thing of the past.

And in this game, a pitchers up one of three for the, finalists for the player of the year, along with three along with Bri Ellis.

Yeah, it's very impressive what she's doing now.

I'm biased.

So I hope they go to Tallahassee and lose.

But she is one of the best players in the country.

I was down Mia pitches.

Is Hamlin saying, where are we up to?

The field of everybody and Ashley Clark, That's a great question.

But she battled and she was battling, Clark for the day is two for two.

Now, they still had the wrong stat.

Sorry.

One for three for Clark.

Struck out her first time out.

Lined out the left field.

Oh.

Foul ball.

Got a single and, was stranded, then walked and scored in the sixth inning.

And this is what we're seeing.

You know, we just saw Isla Buford with a great pitch back up the middle, to get on base.

And then Kendall Hamlin fouling off all those balls to left field.

That ball right there by Ashton Clark.

Also going to the left side of the field.

That's what happens West when you've seen a pitcher.

Now for the fifth time their timing is almost too good.

They're seeing the ball a little too well.

Now we see a stolen base there and a pitch runner, mainly Carson Langley, came in for Buford Pitcher and stole second.

By the way, it was an eight pitch about.

She fouled off four straight in a row before taking, a couple of balls.

That was a good, good, productive at bat for Hamlin before fouling out on the way.

But that's the difference because we've been talking.

And as you mentioned, there are they've only seen Buford twice.

Concord has offensively.

And now you're looking at seeing cornet for the fifth time.

You're just having a better idea.

Oh, and your timing is like that.

You're sending the ball on down the left field line.

Yeah I think it's part of it too is you know, the score.

You know, when you're up nine to nothing, you just kind of you're swinging free, you're up there, nothing to lose.

Just hacking away, being aggressive.

There's no timid.

You'll see any timid swings out of Taylor right now.

There's a lot of confidence, and you're seeing it in the way they're making contact with the ball right now.

A foul ball back, then a bring it or a pass ball.

Excuse me.

Now with a runner on third and I was looking at the stats here for Lake and Cornell because I don't want to take anything away from what she's done today.

Just an impressive day for her in the circle battling for her team.

That one dropping in to right center field that's going to score the 10th run of the game for Taylor.

And what a hit there by Ashlyn Clark to get things going.

She stops at second base is good.

Look at the replay right there.

Head down ball on the bat.

Taking it the other way.

Hits it in the right center field gap.

No chance for either one of the outfielders drives in her 27th run of the season.

It's a heck of a way for that senior to go out her probably her last at bat to in a double to score run.

Macy downs, now the sophomore here again fouling it off.

They're loving that left field line right now.

And it's just because they're so comfortable hitting against Cornett now.

But like I was saying before that hit there that scored the run.

Well cornet is done in the circle with ten KS.

She's walked seven.

But West we talked about this up to 154 pitches.

I mean I don't care who you are on what level you are.

That is a lot of work on that arm.

And that one off the wall off the ball there that's going to score downs is going to try to go to third.

And she does standing up a triple for downs.

That's another run for Taylor.

And they are up 1110.

Nothing.

They're just seeing the ball so well right now.

Just one out today and are in this inning.

And what makes the downs came in hitting 543 in the sophomore just adds to it.

And she's going to have a two for three day.

She picks up her first RBI of the game.

But Macy Downs is absolutely just came up short about four feet short of a home run.

It looked like it hit on the fence.

Right.

It hit the it hit the pole itself.

I think the left fielder thought maybe this one was drifting.

And then it hit the right there and bounced in.

And I don't think she expected it to to do that.

It almost like it's caught her off guard.

Jenna Braswell, up to bat now has Macy Downs hanging out at third base.

One out for Taylor.

Braswell officially one for two, one run scored two walks.

She walked her first two appearances.

Macy, way back when, was the first base runner, for Taylor when she took a walk in the second inning, followed that up with a walk in the fourth inning, and scored.

I think top to bottom in this lineup.

West, we've seen contributions from everybody from once they've gotten kind of their rhythm down those first two innings.

But Macy getting on base, kind of slowly chipping away till it all came together in the fourth.

But everyone one through nine has contributed here for this Tigers lineup.

And it's why they're up right now 11 and nothing.

It's why they feel so comfortable and confident in the way they're swinging the bat here in the top of the seventh.

Well to your point everybody on this Taylor team escort except for two players.

They've been on base a lot and enabled us to create some rallies to score 11 runs.

It's been spread out through the entire team, up to 12 hits.

Now, a couple of the players with three hits apiece.

Oh, the Buford's.

They each have three hits.

Ala is three for five and Adley is three for four.

They have five RBI combined.

Do you think they're going to talk about this game at the dinner table tonight?

We're going to talk about at the dinner table for a long time probably.

Probably.

Well if, if, if if this holds out the way that it looks like it will.

And Taylor goes on to win their 11th overall program title, their eight in a row is that 12th run scores Macy Downs there on that Jenna Braswell.

Round out.

Ala will have one for Briggs, so Ashley can't do any better than that.

Chicken Tyler that's it.

That's the pressure is going to be on her.

There it is.

She's got a she's got to win for now if this continues because big sister one four.

And if I win less than four then she's going to have that over my head the rest of my life to.

So we had a pinch hitter.

So Heidi Bachmann she gets the credit for that, RBI with the, slap to the shortstop there.

London sends this one through the infield into left from the base hit to get on.

That was Adley again and came back up after the pinch hitter for Braswell.

And Adley gets her third hit in the game.

So she does have some bragging rights right now.

There you go.

What's.

Oh, what a swing again.

They're just seeing the ball so well right now.

You talked about this okay.

So three hits in the championship game versus what is her.

Let's see what.

13 strikeouts.

Which one matters more.

Oh see that's the stuff they're going to talk about at the dinner tonight.

Right.

You don't have to have an arm.

They can fight over that.

But that's that's what they're going to be talking about.

It.

Brinley McLendon here.

Ready.

Be ready on.

McClendon looking for her first hit of the game.

Oh, for three and a couple strikeouts for day.

I have to say this too about the Tigers.

It's been impressive.

Specifically this inning the last inning.

They have such a such a lead right now, they could have led off the breaks.

They could have just, you know, no big deal.

They're dialed in.

They're still focused West.

They're making great contact, hitting the ball well, driving in runs.

I mean they have not lost focus despite the fact that it's a 12 nothing game.

They're having a little fun.

It's been a while since they could have fun like this first round of the state tournament.

They beat Jasper 16 to nothing.

Then they had a couple really close games.

They beat Taylor 8 to 7 and then Scranton.

That was a just a nail biter.

Taylor wins it 3 to 1.

So they're actually they get to relax a little bit and have a little fun.

There is outnumber three for Concord.

They're going to go into the dugout got a rally in know and we'll see it here on the other side for the bottom of the seventh.

After this.

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Welcome back here for this one day state championship game between Taylor and Concord.

We have reached the bottom of the seventh.

Westmore, little orange alongside, here.

Calling this game, having a little bit of fun.

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It's been a fun game.

One West, especially if you're the Taylor Tigers who are three outs away from another state title, their eighth in a row.

They were Buford trying to finish things off.

Buford has been outstanding today.

Buford one walk, 13 strikeouts and the rest zeros.

Taylor White facing her for the third time here.

One one count and the Pirates.

Trying to rally.

See if they've got something left in the tank here.

But was specifically over these last three innings.

Taylor's just been so dominant in this game.

And we've talked about it.

Their offense just gets going in a hurry if you let it.

And that's exactly what's happened these last couple of of innings.

Concord really just unable to get on base to try to make anything happen against how dominant Buford has been.

Ala Buford has been in the circle.

White's been the only one.

White got on base in the first inning with a walk and, that's it.

Right.

So that's the only other runner they've had for this game.

Not a lot of pressure on this defense.

And on on Buford in the circle with base runners for Concord.

But trying to see what they can do that is strike number three out.

Number one for Buford.

And now the Tigers two outs away from a championship is Lily Tharp steps into the batter's box for Concord number 13.

Lily Tharp, the senior here, her last at-bat as a lady pirate.

She bats for 30 living into this game.

One of the top three production offensive weapons that this team has.

And I have to say, has done a heck of a job behind the plate catching for Kornet today.

Tharp struck out looking in the first inning in the, fourth.

She, she had a single in the fourth.

She got on base on the base strike.

And that was the wild pitch.

Yes, it was the runner that was.

I knew they had somebody else on base and pops this one up into the middle of the, the infield there, and no problem.

That catch easy for Macy Downs.

One out way for Taylor.

And you can see it a little bit on that smile on Buford.

Say she knows she is one out away from her fourth ring as a Taylor trigger to end her career.

I don't know if it gets, any better than that.

We mentioned this could be their 11th state championship.

That is more than any other program on any other level west in the state, and they've already set the record with seven titles in a row.

They're just trying to up the record by another one.

Get their eighth title in a row, their 11th title overall.

Yeah Brooke Jones here at the plate for Concord.

Seeing what they can do gets that one.

And there it is.

That's the third and the final out of this game.

And Taylor mission accomplished for the Lady Tigers.

Congratulations to them as they win another one a state championship their eighth in a row their 11th as a program.

It is a 12 nothing shutout of Concord.

They won it last year with a shutout over Scranton.

And they are the champions.

Congratulations to the Tigers as well for a great offensive day for them.

And we'll be right back with the trophy ceremony after this two or.

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Hey there for the class Championship!

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And I tell you what laughs.

There is not a feeling quite like raising up a championship trophy.

Congratulations to the Taylor Tigers.

They are your 2020 518 champions with a 12 nothing win over Concord this morning here at UCA.

It has been such a fun time calling this game.

And again if you want to visit Arkansas high school sports.com you can get all your championship gear there.

Again congratulations to the Taylor Tigers a dominant performance from them today.

Offensively a dominant performance by Ala Buford in the circle.

And she wins her fourth state title.

And they take home their 11th A program for Westmore and Alyssa I'm Melissa Orange.

It's been a lot of fun here.

Congratulations to them and West so dominant after the fourth was this Tigers team.

It was a pitcher's duel for the first three innings.

No score until McHenry gets a center and down scores to make it one to nothing.

Then the floodgates open Anderson multi I'm giving her a base hit on this.

That's a tough play.

It was ruled a fielding area but scored a run there.

Then Ayla Buford gets a double Kendal Hamlin reached on another error.

Ashlyn Clark kept it going later on.

That's another Buford hit and the Buford were big in this game and that's, Ala with a, a double and, the pitching story.

Here's another Buford hit, by the way, right up the middle, the Buford stop this game, but it's ala Buford on the mound throwing a no hitter.

She started the state tournament with a perfect game in the first game, and then she ends it in the championship game.

There she is, the state tournament MVP.

That means four straight years.

Not only did she win a state title, she won the state tournament MVP 22, 23, 24 and 25.

Just an incredible player that Southern Arkansas was getting and, she was definitely the player to watch today.

Much deserved for Buford.

And again, congratulations to the Tigers that they win the title in softball.

But stick around because the one a baseball game is just around the corner at 1:00.

And Taylor trying to go two for two today.

Their baseball team competing for a state title.

They play Saint Joseph's today.

That's next at 1:00.

Thanks so much for joining us.

We'll be right back here at 4:00 with a showdown between Sheridan and Benton.

That one is going to be real fun.

Buckle up for some good softball.

They're looking forward to that.

We'll see you then.

Thanks for watching.

Thanks for joining us.

And we'll see you at four.