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And they have waited a long time today for this game.

But we are ready to go between Hackett and Riverside.

As West mentioned, a rematch from last year's state championship game, and here is the win.

Rock automotive batting order for the Riverside Rebels and Lee Quarles will lead it off.

Kaylee Cox, Birkeland, Barry, Katie Ridge, Claire Warnock, Riley Eakins, Claire Carly Jo Warnock, Blakely Biggers and Bennett Durham.

Your lineup for the rebels and here's Quarles as she steps into the box and looks at ball one.

Hackett ready to try to, get that trophy back and, get off to a good start in this first inning.

2024 champs.

Look, these girls are used to playing in big moments.

They, many of these same girls on the softball team won a volleyball title.

So they're competitors, and they're very good competitors, and they're used to winning.

We talked about Kinsey Freeman before the game started, and we'll talk more about her, I'm sure, throughout the game, specifically where she lives, was in the triple AA record books and where she will finish when her career with Hackett is over one of the best ever to get in the circle.

The stats kind of back it up.

A22 count now for Quarles.

I'm expecting a pitchers duel today.

You look at these are both very good pitchers for Hackett and Riverside.

But, Hackett gave up two earned runs to Tuckerman in the finals.

First round shutout.

Second round shutout.

Desert beat to Tuckerman, 7 to 2.

Riverside.

They haven't given up a run in the postseason.

They have not.

So you think about that six games combined and they've given up two runs two runs.

So this one should be a little bit of a pitcher's duel.

But right now.

And Lee Quarles takes her base after walking to start the game.

And usually when you expect it to pick a stall, you get A87 game right where you expect to shoot the universe.

You think so?

Now we're about to have a high scoring game, is what you're telling me.

But that's okay.

I like offense to.

This is Kaylee Cox, the shortstop for Riverside as she takes ball one.

Cox, a 327 hitter, gets on base now 41% of the time.

Oh, patient taking some pitches early in this game.

Why not?

We've seen that.

We saw that even yesterday and last night kind of that first inning those first inning jitters I don't care how accomplished of a pitcher you are, how great of a year you've had.

This is different.

It's a different environment.

Then you think of what their what they've gone through already today.

You wake up this morning, you get up early because it's supposed to be at 10 a.m. start.

Gear up in your mind.

We're going to be out here at 10:00 and be ready to go.

And then you have to sit around for five hours.

You do?

I mean, that's what we did, too.

We were up ready to go, sitting around, hanging out, watching some other action around the country.

But you're right.

I mean, they've been waiting all day now.

They figured they'd be done by now.

And I think, too, as a pitcher, when you talk about just kind of settling in in a state title game, you're also trying to figure out what this home plate umpire is going to look like.

When it looks like a strike zone, where am I going to be able to maybe paint the corners a little bit?

Can I get away with a little bit of a higher rise ball, just get a little bit of a feeling of what this umpire strike zone looks like.

Oh no, that is strike three on the Kaylee Cox.

She thought it was a ball, but the umpire disagreed.

And that is the first strikeout for Freeman of the day.

That is where West we've talked about it before.

Sometimes you just got to foul those pass those balls off.

Yeah.

Exactly what you said.

You had to learn that zone.

Well, the batter's got to learn the zone too.

Exactly.

Let's look here at the players working around Freeman today for Hackett.

You've got Eva Thornburg behind the plate.

Morgan Coryell at third and then McClellan Freeman, Lily Oxford, Riley Decker, Caitlin Holbert, Kaylee Reeser and Ava Bart Meyer around at right field.

That is your wind Rock automotive defensive alignment there for Hackett Brooklyn Barry up now.

386 hitter fouls it off on base percentage for 81 eight doubles on the year.

She's got 19 RBI.

Looking for one in the gap.

Maybe add to her double total in or RBI total.

Both of these teams rock in the pinch strike today, which I am a big fan of these uniforms.

Less.

I'll let you stick to the fashion.

That's fine.

I'm an I'm an alternate uniform kind of person.

So I think that's really my big hot take.

But I like these.

I like the pinstripes.

Are a nice line drive but just foul there down the left field line and everyone will back up.

Try to do it again.

It's A22 count now for Barry.

Barry turned on that one.

Just a hair in front of it or she would have gotten that double we were talking about.

Squeezed it right between the third baseman and that third base bag down the line, and that might have scored a run.

And now she watches strike three.

And that is another strike out for Freeman and for Barry there, after being able to turn on that last pitch, just kind of froze a little bit.

Katie Ridge and watches that one paint the outside corner.

She is painting the black.

Katie Ridge up next.

The first baseman pink to black again.

Ridge hitting 305 five doubles on the year for her 21 RBI.

Rhea, just senior to five seniors, start them off in the batting lineup.

This one a slow roller there to third base.

But Morgan Corio able to clean it up, get it to first get out of the inning.

And so Hackett no damage for them on this side of the ball.

They're now going to take the offense, see if they can do some damage of their own.

Will be back here in the bottom of the first.

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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.

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

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And.

It is Morgan Coryell who is going to lead off here for the Lady Hornets.

And here's the West Erin Rock automotive batting order for Hackett.

Lily Oxford, Caitlin Freeman, Kinsey Freeman, Riley Decker, Eva Thornburg, Kaylee Reeser, Ava Bart Meyer and late Lynn Holbert.

That is your lineup for the Hornets.

And as I mentioned, Morgan Coryell going to get it started.

And there is Claire Womack in the circle.

She is someone to pay attention to, too.

I know we talked about Annalee Quarles and what she brings from a senior leadership role.

But Womack, another one of these upperclassmen leaders for this Lady Rebels team.

Yeah, Claire's going to Arkansas Tech 20 and five on the year.

1.25 E.R.A.

She's got 241 strikeouts and just 134 innings.

So almost close to two strikeouts an inning for Claire.

Arkansas Tech's getting them a good one.

Right now, though.

Two balls.

No strikes on Coryell.

Coryell, a 481 hitter, gets on base five 2552, 53% of the time.

16 doubles, five triples, two home runs.

Looking for a pitch to hit.

Looks at strike one there and she's got an interesting stance in the box.

That wide stance and then steps into it.

Monarch takes it up high so that high fastball couldn't lay off of it.

Yet this one to short the easy out to first and that is A63 outnumber one for Riverside.

Here is a look at the defense around Womack.

Blakely Biggers at third Kaylee Cox, Riley Eakins Katie Ridge in the infield, Brooklynn Barry behind the plate, Bennett Durham, Carly Jo Womack and Bennett, Bennett Durham.

They're doing an early calls to round everything out for Riverside.

I was listening to an interview West with Carly Womack, and she said that throughout the season, a lot of people counted them out this year, despite being in this place last year and the year before, because they struggled at first.

But they've really turned things around when it mattered.

Yeah.

Riverside comes in with a 24 and eight record.

So it just shows you how good they've been in the past, that eight losses is a whole lot of losses in some people's mind, not mine, but they've proven it when it mattered.

Once the postseason came they turned it on and been very good.

Exactly.

Hard hit back up to Womack.

Hopefully she's okay.

It looks like it bounced off her leg.

And Lily Oxford's safe at first, but they're going to come out and check on their pitcher to see if she's okay.

She feels looks like she's feeling a little pain there.

She's a one hopper right off the left shin or shin.

Yeah.

That much meat right there to protect your bone.

I mean, even right off her knee.

And you know, that doesn't feel good.

Coaches out there talking to her now, seeing if she can.

Now, did you pitch?

I did not.

I broke too many windows in the backyard with my dad when I was trying to practice.

And he said, no, we're going to keep you in the infield.

I always wanted to know what that would do.

I mean, that left leg, how important it is.

But it is important.

Especially.

It looked like that was her left leg and that's where you're going to be pushing a lot of that power.

If it is that left leg, if you think about it, that is the that is the leg that you're pushing off of the, the pitcher's mound with.

And so, she's going to have to walk it off and shake it off if she's going to stay in this game.

But she's looked like she's battling through it.

So the last thing you want.

Second batter of the game to get hit on the legs in a state championship game.

She's tough though to look at her not coming out.

Yeah she's not coming out of this one for sure.

Going to see if she can do a few pitches here to make sure she's okay.

Yeah.

So with it being it look like on that left side, that actually might be not bad because.

Yeah, she's still kind of landing on it every time.

You can see from her face she's still just a little sore, but she's going to power through.

Them all a little nod for reinsurance.

Okay.

Let's go.

All right, so here goes Womack.

She is now going to face McFarland Freeman, the shortstop, which you say everyone calls Mickey.

Mikey.

Mikey Freeman.

We've got one down for Riverside.

Lily Oxford standing on first base and now Freeman up to bat, fouling that one off.

Listen to these numbers for Mickey.

She's hitting 620.

Her on base percentage is six 5817 doubles, 11 triples, three home runs and 45 RBI.

Just absolutely incredible.

Have a batting average over 606 20.

Yeah, that is really impressive.

She along with Kinsey Freeman, both of them are going to attend the University of Tulsa next season.

But she is going on a volleyball scholarship.

You know, like I said, the, Hackett has a, wonderful bats, a, softball team, obviously, but a very good volleyball team as they want to state title earlier.

Fouling that one back.

Still A02 count on Freeman.

A runner on first base and one down here.

Pops this one up.

It looks like it's going to be right there behind third base Kaylee Cox there to catch.

And that is the second out of the inning.

Looks like well mixed legs okay I think she's doing all right.

I'm sure she's going to go back into the dugout, maybe ice that knee a little bit.

It's a big bounce back though.

She's supposed to lead off the top of the second.

Of course.

Of course she is.

We'll see that one into left center field.

An easy catch there for Annalee Quarles in Riverside.

Come back in to see what they can do offensively as we head to the bottom or at the top of the second.

That's going to do it for the first here from Conway.

Nothing.

Nothing in this two way state title game.

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Welcome back everybody.

Good to be with you, man.

You're just making me hungry.

I'm stuffed still.

Oh my gosh, I am too.

But I had nothing to do but watch a little rock and say congratulations to the Trojans.

They won the OVC tournament, and they're headed to the NCAA tournament for just the second time in school history.

Their first OVC tourney championship.

So congratulations to the Trojans.

And that's a big deal.

That'll be fun to see where they land in the NCAA tournament.

But we're here in the top of the second.

And as we mentioned, it's Claire Womack who is leading things off in the box.

And after getting hit in that knee it looks like she's still here battling sending that one over into, first base territory.

Easy catch there for Riley Decker for out number one.

Double Decker did a good job of getting back and finding the ball, locating the ball and catching it.

I'm not going to tell you that might be a little bit of a harder place to catch a ball, but somewhere further down the field and to the right for her?

No.

She turns around to try to catch that.

Riley Eakins up.

Now, that's the coach's daughter, TJ Eakins, head coach there at Riverside.

No, it's going to be a treat for him to get the coach's daughter.

She's hitting 329, gets on base 45% of the time, 11 doubles on the year, 19 RBI from her six spot.

She looks at strike one right there and.

We're going to see if she can get on base here for Riverside Swing and a miss for strike two.

And McKenzie Freeman Freeman has been peppering it outside.

She has she she's realized she can get it for a strike.

And she's basically telling these hitters, well, this is where I'm going to go.

And until you can hit it, I'm going to just keep doing it over and over again.

She got in her swing at the outside pitch and decided to take it a little further outside.

If you chase it again.

Two two count now with one down and there you go.

Swing and a miss for strike three, that is, outnumber two and strike out number three for Freeman on the day, both pitchers gave up a single runner in their first inning, but no damage was done.

Kind of settling in.

Now I feel like we may get that pitcher's duel.

Maybe.

This is Carly Jo Womack, now the left fielder for Riverside.

In 329 schedule.

Sorry, she's hitting 370 on base percentage, is about 100 points higher for 74.

Oh, that's at one right down the middle.

Third had to kind of made it.

Have made her a little uneasy.

That was some chin music.

The first one.

Well I think this is the first batter that Freeman has seen from that left side.

So now she's trying to paint that other corner a little high.

That one called for a ball, though.

It looked like it looked kind of good.

And I think Carly Jones a little shorter, a little smaller strike zone may have helped her out.

Oh, go.

Brought it down.

Just a hair.

It shows a lot when you can paint both outside corners, she says.

That's okay.

If you're over here, I can go over here.

That one low off the glove of Thornburg, but no damage.

There's nobody on base.

What number did you wear?

So that's a funny story.

I, was 13 most of my career until I got to call, to high school, and there was a girl who played a year ahead of me who was number 13.

And so I had to change, and I went to 31.

So it's 13 for most of my career.

And then I went 31, and I didn't just switch it just to switch it.

As a Dolphins fan, I love Dan Marino.

That's why I wore 31.

But I am also a big Mike Piazza fan, and he wore 31.

And so that's what I wore.

So Kinsey with that 22, that was my number.

There you go.

22 and Kinsey, filling up the strike zone right now.

Well, I will say, when I've been putting together my lineup cards, every player that has the number 13, I'm like, okay, so shout out Claire Womack, number 13 for Riverside and Ava Bart Meyer also work for Hackett.

That's right.

So there you go.

It's a good number one.

Lucky number 13.

You don't care what anybody says.

It's A20 count.

Now here on Blakely Biggers, Carly Jo Womack with the walk.

She's standing on first two outs.

Jinx to one.

I said, filling up the strike zone.

She with four straight balls.

Swing and a miss.

A22 count.

Now Blakely, a good hitter from that eight hole sitting for 49, gets on base almost half the time.

Close to 500%.

Six doubles, 36 RBI on the season as well.

She leads the team in RBI and not able to get one at this at bat that is going to end the inning.

That's another strikeout for Freeman, and we now head to the bottom of the second.

Still nothing.

Nothing here as Riverside and Hackett get things continuing to roll in Conway after this.

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Welcome back!

We are now in the bottom of the second, and we have Riley Decker, the first baseman for Hackett to lead things off for Thornburg and Carly Reaser.

Your three batters to start this inning.

Takes that ball inside for ball one.

We've seen a lot of seniors in junior so far.

From both teams.

This is our first sophomore.

Riley.

Just a sophomore.

Just had 511 on the season.

Batting average, nine doubles, five triples, couple home runs, 36 RBI.

Just amped up for that one.

Yes, she was.

And I think to your point there, West, when you have a roster and a lineup that has a lot of juniors and seniors to be a sophomore and be in the starting lineup, it means you bring a lot to the table and you do mixture on Hackett or the League Hornets, and they got a couple one, two, three, four, five seniors, three sophomores, a junior in here.

So the future is still bright for them even though they're going to graduate some some good players.

You talk about Kinsey Freeman, one of the best in the state if not the best in the state.

You got some talent coming back.

Yeah they do.

We said we talk about her more in the stats and that she will have in the record books.

Even when her career is over at Hackett, her name will still be in these record books.

And if they're not at the top, very close to the top once this season is over.

She's going to be missed.

No doubt about it.

Tulsa got a good one, though.

Riley foul and that one off still has A12 count here until she can really handle the bat.

She is taking some pitchers pitches and just kind of flicked it out there.

Fouled it off staying alive.

Just waiting for her pitch.

We've talked about that.

If you don't like it but it's close.

Foul it off.

Get one that you like.

Hopefully takes that one inside to make it two two.

Good take.

That's how you have to battle.

Looks at ball three and drawing a full count here on Claire Womack.

Hackett trying to get their second base runner on that first inning single but didn't get past first base.

In fact, we haven't had anyone in scoring position yet.

And there Womack sets her down with a strikeout.

Look at Jeff Jeff Oxford.

Yeah, he likes and he's excited a.

When he doesn't like the strikeouts.

He likes the effort from his sophomore not to strike out.

But he understands what it what it takes to win.

They were here a season ago and hopefully can go back to back.

That's what he would like for his team.

Well somebody is going to win their second championship in at least three years back and can make it back to back.

And Riverside two and three years between a swing and a miss.

This is Eva Thornburg, the catcher for Hackett.

Good.

Get ahead of her.

Try to get ahead of her.

She leads the team in walks.

She's only hitting 250, but her on base percentage is 481.

Good.

All right, let's walk on a late strike.

That was so way.

I know that he's still in there.

He's he's letting the batter in the catcher know a little earlier than we know with the gestures.

A little late, I got to I got to pause a little bit and shook his head.

No on that one.

You know, again, as I mentioned, the catcher for this hack is she might just make a little comment when she suits back up behind the plate there.

Maybe you see the controversy with the Razorback catcher yesterday.

No.

So the catch?

Yeah.

After, A lot of people thought it was a strike, but it was not.

And that is a strike.

Another strike out for Warmack.

And after getting hit in the knee or in the shin around that area, she seems like she's settling in a little bit.

Still fighting off.

Four and four down for Stinger.

Yeah.

She's.

So anyway, the catcher.

Then the ball comes in and she thinks of the strike, but he calls it the ball, and the catcher throws it back and goes up there and wipes off the play.

And the umpire rights are up for it.

Courtney Dye for came out.

She was tech.

They got into a little heated exchange and the umpire felt like she was showing her up because she went and wiped the plate off.

That helped the umpire be able to see the plate, but it was truly there was dirt all over the plate, so she was just wiping off.

I get it.

Probably didn't get any favors.

Yeah, I mean, I think maybe Kennedy knew, kind of made sure she was done.

I caught a little bit.

I, I would have been a little li let me help you out here.

Sure.

Because obviously you can't see the play.

Something like that for sure.

That's funny.

I'm going to have to go back and look at that one.

This is Carly Wreath, the center fielder.

She's got A12 count right now with two down.

No one on base.

And that is strikeout number three.

Striking out the side is Claire Womack.

And we are headed now to the top of the third.

We are still scoreless in Conway.

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Welcome back.

Hey, I got a trivia question for you and for all of you watching here.

Here's my question.

Who holds the career record for the highest batting average in a career?

Who holds the highest career?

Who holds the career record for the highest batting average?

I'm gonna need somebody text me to help me out.

Text a friend.

There you go.

Okay, so it's, you know.

Obvious.

No, I don't know if it's obvious.

I just think it's kind of recent.

It's.

I'm not sending you back to the 90s, okay?

You know, so we'll see.

Can I tell you what her average was with that help, you know?

Okay.

All right.

You tell me your name.

That'll help me.

Okay, well, we're not going to give the answer away yet.

We're not going to give it away yet.

Here we are in the top of the third.

This is Bennett Durham, the right fielder for Riverside.

We've talked a lot about Kenzie Freeman.

She currently, by the way, has the record for season shutouts with 19.

She did that last year.

She's got seven career perfect games in her perfect games in her career at seven.

And this is not that including anything she's done this year.

Again, these are what the record books were at the end of 2020 for what she's had to her strikeout.

Well, that's for sure.

She is Bennett Durham going down five in the first nine.

That is that that is settling in.

If there ever was settling in after walking and only calls to start things off here in Conway, we are back to the top of the order for Riverside and Quarles again.

But after that walk, she's really shut everybody down.

And she looks like a totally different pitcher from the first time we saw Quarles came out just a little wild.

And I think that's just a perfect example of the nerves of playing on on the college field on TV.

State championship game, biggest game of the year.

Just you add all that up plus a five hour delay.

And once you finally get out there, just took a minute to settle down and get into the flow of things, settle down and understand where her strike zone is.

In this game.

Every umpire is different, but she's really like in that outside corner and has used it to her advantage as much as possible, including right there for strike number two on Quarles.

Looking for her first shut down inning.

Just had our first 123 inning.

Now looking to go back to back.

She held it there didn't she.

Yeah.

She wanted it.

You could see it in her face right now.

She wanted it.

She wanted it.

Yeah.

You know, Coach Oxford was letting us know, by the way, before her.

By the time her time is up with Hackett, she's going to be at the top of some of the record books, including career innings pitched, career wins, career season shutouts.

Just a stellar player for Hackett.

And that's another strikeout for straight outs with the strikeout.

Now she's got two in every inning, up to six trying to strike out the side if she can get Kaylee Cox.

She keeps going to that corner.

She likes it.

Cox struck out looking her first at bat.

Kaylee hoping not to do that again, not try to get caught off by Freeman.

And now that you've seen her one time through, you've got a little bit of a better idea what she's trying to do.

But that doesn't make it any easier to hit.

Oh, you could know exactly what she's going to do and still swing and miss throwing it high outside.

It's hard to catch up with that.

Just trying to take it down a level.

Shortstop hitting 327 coming into the game.

Fouling that one off.

Getting some contact.

Working on that timing a little bit.

That one into the parking lot I think it avoided the cars though.

So that's the good news.

There are plenty of cars up there.

We can see some fans in the outfield sitting around the berm about brought their lawn chairs sitting out back beyond the fence.

Of course, stands are packed.

Well, he shook his head and she thought she had that one, and that one was close.

But the umpire behind the plate says maybe just a little too off of that.

That corner there.

And Cox lives to see another pitch with a full count here for Kaylee Cox.

That is strike three inside on that inside corner.

And that is strikeout number three.

So there you have.

It was striking out the side just like Claire Womack did at the top of the inning.

And now you might get your pitcher's duel my friend.

Here we go to the fourth after this.

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All right.

Let's give you the answer here to your trivia question.

Who holds the career record for the highest batting average in their career?

And the answer I know is on the tape, your song was Tyler Vernon Pangborn.

From 2015 to 2018.

Her batting average 686 career postseason in a career, a career that's still incredible.

It's ridiculous.

Oh my goodness.

686.

Mean I can't imagine doing that for a season.

Yeah, I was bragging earlier about who was that have the highest batting average in this game.

And I guess it was McKenzie with 587.

No it's Mickey Mike he's hitting 620 okay.

That's pretty that's incredible.

620 but that's pretty impressive for a career.

Incredible.

Here we are in the bottom of the third.

Welcome back.

Still scoreless between Riverside and Hackett.

This is Ava Bart Meyer the right fielder.

She's got A12 count on her Claire Womack coming in to the circle after striking out the side in the bottom of the second.

She's got three strikeouts.

Those three strikeouts to her name today she almost.

She reached back.

She is about to have thought better of it.

Good eye by Ava.

Fouling that one off.

Both of these pitchers been working the outside, working the outside.

But every once in a while, though, busts inside.

And that's what we just saw in the last inning with Freeman outside.

Outside, outside.

Bam.

Right on the inside.

Just froze the batter.

I just saw that two from Walmart and that one going up high getting her to Chase.

And that is her fourth strikeout in a row.

Her fourth strikeout for the day today.

And that's the first out.

For the Lady Rebels bring up Leyland Holbert over one of those volleyball players.

She's going to champion Christian College to play volleyball.

Looks at strike one.

Both of these pitchers doing a really good job right now of using the strength of their pitches, but also the movement of their pitches, kind of keeping these batters off base as much as possible.

That one, the bunt attempt popped up there to Blakely bigger.

She's there to catch it.

And that is out.

Number two breaks up the, strikeout streak.

It's five in a row.

Is that right?

Four in a row.

It was four in a row.

But she'll take it now.

She appreciates her defense over there helping her out behind her.

This is Morgan Cordell.

As we get back to the top of the lineup here for Hackett.

Had her jammed in there a little bit.

Fouls it back out of play.

Grounded out to the short to the stands.

That guy did catch it.

Fortunately he's got it.

But they're probably going to ask him to give it back.

You can't keep it as a souvenir.

Unfortunately.

I wish you could.

Who?

I and it's, almost impossible to hit.

Those are pitches you swing at because you just can't help yourself.

But there's no way you're going to make good contact on a pitch like that.

Fouling that one off.

Continuing to battle here is Coryell.

She grounded out to the shortstop to start off this game.

Second time now looking at Womack and trying to get on base here and start potentially a two out rally.

Doesn't chase that one.

Looks at ball one I just got a little went to her.

She's feeling that soft ball off the shin or off the knee.

That's just watching her after she caught the ball from the catcher.

Just a slight limp back to the rubber.

Gets that one to chase.

That is out number three to end the inning.

And that is strikeout number five for Womack.

We're over here.

Counting K's for both of these teams.

Seeing if anyone can break through with some offense after this run to the fourth.

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First one's deep and most likely the fatal blow.

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We want to recognize our Arkansas PBS student All-Stars, Dakota Rhoads from Quitman.

Short shortstop, plans to attend Central Baptist College to play softball.

She's got a 4.14 GPA getting it done on the diamond and in the classroom.

This junior is a heck of a player and a heck of a student.

Congratulations, Dakota Rhoads from Quitman.

Congratulate Dakota.

All right, let's introduce you to our officials who are spending the time with us here today.

Micah Adams is behind the plate.

William Van Tuggle is at first base, Kevin Ray at second and Troy Cox at third base.

Those are our officials today who work hard over there.

Guys on the field have it made right now.

Right now they're just hanging out, chilling hanging out and hanging out.

Listen, what did you say?

Mike Cox is behind the plate.

Mike.

Yeah.

Mike Adams at the plate.

Yeah.

He's just he's all doing all the work.

Yes.

It's okay.

They enjoy being out there as much as both of these teams do.

And as you mentioned, it's been a pitcher's duel so far right now.

One, two three 4 or 5, six seven strikeouts for Freeman five strikeouts for Womack.

This one gets popped up into center field.

An easy catch for Anabelle and Ellie Qualls.

And that is out number one.

And so Ridge even if Kenzie Freeman's not strike him out.

That's wreath.

Excuse me.

In center field.

She's got her defense behind her to help her out.

It's only the third ball.

Riverside's hit into fair territory.

We've had two fouls back to back.

Another pop up there.

Mikey Freeman there to catch help her sister out.

She took charge of that, didn't she?

The second baseman wanted to get it, but Decker was going to Oxford, was going to come in and get it.

And Mikey took over.

That was Katie Ridge popping it up there into the middle of the field.

And this is Claire Womack, up to bat pitcher on pitcher right now.

In this match up, Claire, someone hits a little flare over the first baseman, her first at bat.

First baseman.

Made a tough play, made the catch in fair territory.

Fouls that one off and got A11 count quickly play game two.

I mean we're what, about 45 minutes?

That's what you get with these pitchers duels.

Kind of like last night's game.

See you say that and you put it in the universe.

I don't believe in the mountaineers.

That's what they want.

There you go.

The ground ball to six three out and that ends the inning very quickly.

123.

Both of these teams just trying to see if they can break through offensively.

As we roll on here from Conway.

And this two a state title game.

This month on Arkansas PBS.

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And both of these teams still scoreless here in Conway at Shock Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas, trying to see if their offense can get something going and put a run on the board here in the top of the fourth pack.

Got the two, three and four up.

They got the meat of the lineup.

If they want to try to break through, here's a good inning to do it.

Lily Oxford now in a hitter's count two.

Oh, Lily Oxford, one of the many batters that are not many batters that was able to actually reach base.

She was the one who took the ball back to, to to Womack and hit her in the you can see right there still kind of a little bit of a little bit of a hobble there.

But that's the only runner that they've had on base.

Only hit of the game.

And you think about it, if Lily's able to recover, maybe throw her out and we don't have any hits in the game.

And that is the first walk for Claire Womack.

Lily Oxford finds herself back on first base and.

Now, here's your challenge.

You got to get Mickey and Kinsey back there.

You got Mickey and Kinsey now Mickey Freeman, like I mentioned, going to play volleyball at the University of Tulsa and two years.

Oh, this one lost in court.

Got her at second.

Just it was just tough because you're on first and you know you're going to go you know you're told to go halfway.

But then the ball's hit so close to your first base.

So you can't really go one away lose lose situations where regardless of what happens, you're kind of in no man's land.

They're able to get the out despite a little bit of miscommunication on that blooper.

And so the woman lost it, and she you can see her.

She just she put her hands up like, I don't see it.

I don't have it.

And and it's kind of that overcast kind of day and yeah, you can lose it up there very quickly, but bright but overcast.

It's kind of a strange.

Yeah combination able to pick it up still get the out.

So one out now and Freeman is on first.

You've got Kinsey Freeman at the plate.

Kinsey a 587 hitter.

And she goes down and three pitches 123 making short work out of her Claire woman.

But runners able to advance to second after it got away from the catcher.

So now we got our first runner at second base in scoring position.

Don't look now, West.

Things could be happening here.

They tried to do a strike out.

Throw her out, but not in time.

Still give Brooklyn Berry heads.

Heads up, play there to get that ball quickly down to second base.

Just not in time, but a good throw.

Still.

Riley Decker seeing if she can knock in Freeman and score this first run of the game, give Hackett a one nothing lead.

Another good hitter for Hackett.

She's hitting over 505 11 to be exact.

Chases the high one.

They punch this one up and it looked like Kaylee Cox and Freeman kind of ran into each other there while Freeman was running the bases.

But that ball was still caught by by, Bennett Durham out there.

And so that is out number three.

They threatened but Riverside able to end the threat that is going to do it.

We continue to roll on here after the break.

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We'll see how the Romans created beauty in both intimate and monumental ways.

The biggest lesson I've learned is that every destination, from a big city to a small village, has a soul.

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There's got to be a connection.

When did a king have dinner with imaginary friends?

Wow.

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And here is how we got here a scoreless game between Riverside and Hackett.

It has been a pitching duel for Womack and for Freeman.

A lot of strikeouts to their name.

For Womack, there's been 13 K, 13 K's total.

So seven and five, seven and six, seven and six.

That's why you're the math guy.

But it has been a pitching duo like you mentioned us.

And so we sit here now still scoreless both of these offenses trying to break through.

Riverside threatened or Hackett threatened in that last inning with a runner in scoring position but not able to punch it through.

This is now Riley Eakins, the second baseman for Riverside.

She struck out her first time facing Freeman, but seeing if she can maybe lead off this inning with a base hit.

You can say a 329 hitter.

11 doubles.

Riverside bench over there trying to get to build a little excitement, frame that pitch, but didn't get the call for two one count.

Now on weekends and amazing West, we're already in the top of the fifth.

This game, as you mentioned, has flown by.

Don't get that corner.

And so now she's got A31 count.

And if you're Riley Eakins, I'm going to go ahead and say you're probably going to take this pitch.

Being the coach's daughter, I bet you even have to look.

And she knows what he wants.

Wow.

He wanted her swing.

But you also knew she was going to throw it right down the middle because she expected you to take it as well, but she fouls it back.

And now it's a full count.

I hope that wasn't your car here.

Yeah, that would be unfortunate.

They have signs around saying park at your own risk and they always make me so nervous.

Hey, Park as far away as possible.

And there is a walk that is just the second walk of the day for Freeman.

She led off the game with a walk.

She leads off this inning with a walk, and now Carly Jo Womack steps in and sees if she can get a little something going here for the Lady Rebels offensively.

Two it's good at bat by Eagles since she was a 329 hitter.

I look at her on base percentage is 451, so she's taking a lot of walks this season.

Lays down the bunt right down the third base line.

The out at first.

Here we go.

But it moves the runner into scoring position.

So she comes up to bat and does exactly what her job was was to get that runner in scoring position.

One out now and an opportunity for Blakely Biggers.

Carly Jo lays down a perfect body.

That's exactly what you want to move.

The runner over makes the third baseman charge, yet still third baseman had to make a good throw.

Good play that time Coryell throws are out at first.

Blakely Biggers 36 RBI.

As you said earlier, she leads the team in RBI from that eight hole spot.

And the second cleanup hitter in the lineup six doubles, a couple triples.

Now has an opportunity to add to that RBI total for 49.

Her batting average card to just hit against Freeman.

As you can see, it almost looks like she's just a little off Blakely, just a sophomore.

Down in the count.

That really bare down.

Watches her first ball trying to see if she would chase and shows a little patience there in the box.

Blakely did strike out the last time.

Next two batters, in fact, Benton Durham also struck out.

So there's a way there for Freeman to work out of this mess.

When you look at the lineup, not many haven't.

Just credit to what Freeman's been able to do, but, Biggers is trying to give her team an opportunity here in A22 count.

Yeah, you're right, six of the nine have already struck out.

And there is strikeout number one of the inning.

That's her second strikeout Biggers of the day.

And they've now got two outs.

Here is your Riverside head coach TJ Eakins.

That's his daughter Riley, standing on second base and number five for Coach Eakins.

He said earlier in the week, he's just really proud of his team.

Was he said they came to work every day.

They're a veteran group.

But he knew this was going to be a tough battle, and he said they're going to try to stay sharp defensively in this match up with Hackett.

And when you talk about defense, they haven't had to do too, too much because it's been all in the circle so far.

They get that outnumber three to in this side of the inning and still scoreless.

Some opportunities missed.

Runners left on base is this two way state game continues after this.

Stick around with us.

We'll be right back.

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Wave, guys, your old camera.

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Big shout out to them.

They're working hard out there to bring you this broadcast from so many different angles.

I want to give a shout out to just to UK this field.

The reason why we're able to play and have this game is just how well this field drains.

They've been talking about it all afternoon when the rains came in.

Today this field drains so well, giving us an opportunity to play these games today.

Baseball not and fortunate to be out here and to be playing.

But a big shout out to UK just for letting us use the facilities, but also how high class these facilities are.

West.

You know my way to Conway this morning.

It was, you know, pouring and I looked at the radar and I was like, this doesn't look good.

Like, Texas Steve East, the, long time, media guy for, the, University of Central Arkansas, the retiring Steve is he made me officially be retired now.

And, that's I mean, how's the, softball complex, Jerry?

He's like, actually, he's really good.

He'll be okay once it stops raining.

So now baseball with the grass outfield.

That's a different story.

And, true.

That's true enough.

That's why we're not playing baseball.

Just.

I don't know how many inches of rain we got.

I haven't seen the final amount, but it was a downpour in Conway.

Three hours, four hours.

It was a lot.

It was a lot of rain.

We're going to have to call Todd and ask him later, but, But yeah, shout out to UCA these facilities and letting us use these facilities and how well they are, how well-maintained they are.

And we're getting some softball in today, which makes us happy.

You mentioned Todd.

I texted the Jacobi in this morning and what's it look like for us?

Yeah, he's like late afternoon.

Okay, well, here we are.

Late afternoon.

We get started 3:00.

That's why you're the best.

We appreciate you.

Here we are in the bottom of the fifth.

A full count here on Eva Thornburg.

Batter just takes.

That was the, That was about 5050.

Oh, yeah.

She took off running and got the call.

The way that this game has been going to with both of these pitchers.

Just kind of been able to have the control at each at bat.

I think that one kind of threw off Warmack in the circle a little bit.

She thought she was going to get strike number three there.

Instead, you've got Thornburg on base and an opportunity here again for Hackett to try to make something happen offensively.

Now Carly refer.

She also struck out her first time at bat.

But again like I mentioned an opportunity.

And when you've got someone on base in a game where we haven't seen very many runners on base, you have to take advantage.

Second straight inning that Hackett has gotten the leadoff hitter on board, and the walk in the from Lily Oxford to lead off the fourth, now walk to lead off the fifth.

Carly Wreath are a 356 hitter, six doubles on the year, two home runs, 24 RBI.

None of those 24 would be as big as this one.

If she can get a big hit, the fly would be huge for Hackett.

Carly, just a sophomore center fielder looking for her first hit of the day.

Got A22 count after fouling that one off swing and a miss on that high pitch.

And Womack brings up another one.

Another strike out.

And that is out number one here in the bottom of the fifth.

Seven strikeouts.

Now for pitchers.

Duel was happening.

Freeman's got eight strikeouts and seven.

Here's a look at this one right here.

Yeah here's Ava Meyer or Meyer struck out the third inning her first at bat.

Right fielders hitting 238 on the season.

This is where I'm surprised a little bit.

We're not seeing some.

We get some small ball action, square around bunt, try to get something down to move that runner into scoring position here, especially in the bottom half of this lineup, to try to see if you can get back to the top of the lineup.

And this is exactly what Walnut does not want to do.

Do not want to walk the number eight hitter.

Just let off the bat with three straight balls.

I didn't really have to think about it.

That one on the inside corner for strike one here.

I probably have her take it again right here, just to see again at the at this point, I think that's a really good call.

West because you can get a full count.

But then also you get ball four.

And just like that two walks in this inning.

And now we've got runners on first and second with just one out late Lynn Holbert now coming up to the plate.

She popped up to the third baseman the last time she came to the plate, but she at least made contact.

As it looks like Coach Eakins is coming out to talk to his team the first time any team has had two base runners on and only one out.

Just checking in, making sure everyone's still good to go.

Hey guys, I know this has been a little bit of a pitchers tool, but as he mentioned and I mentioned earlier, he said we've got to stay sharp defensive.

And that's where that message is going to ring clear right now in the bottom of the fifth bottom of the lineup.

Now you get Leyland Holbert up nine hitter.

In 213 on the year.

And that brings up the top of the lineup.

So you got to get this out here.

That that probably was part of the message too is hey guys let's get out of the inning right here.

We don't want runners on base.

And then the top of the lineup back up.

Absolutely.

That one sailing on Womack.

And that is going to push the runners over.

And now you lose the force out west.

And you've got runners at third and second and still one out.

If you hack in here you play a little small ball.

Put down the bunt, suicide squeeze, safety squeeze.

At this point you just don't know we're already in the fifth.

We know that runs are a premium right now in this scoreless game.

So I think you're right.

You're you're doing anything you can go.

The infield is playing way in.

Second baseman shortstop, first baseman, third baseman.

Both creeping up there looking for it.

And now as a hitter, if you're Lakeland, even just a blooper over the shortstops head could even score a run.

Well, that time the shortstop came charging into shortstop was almost as close as the pitcher.

So yeah, any kind of contact in the air gets them over their head, scores a run or two, and that is strike three.

That is not what you wanted if you're hack it because now you've got two outs.

The defense relax just a little bit there.

But you get the line position.

But now you've got the top of the lineup right.

Absolutely.

But for Morgan Coryell to lead things off here she grounded out to shortstop to start things off and struck out in the third.

But an opportunity here for her with two on in the fifth.

The shortstop playing way in way in two for this batter.

She came crashing in expecting a little slap.

Back.

That's a tough pitch right there.

Inside corner.

And again that that one is just so hard.

You almost have to just take it as a strike.

Unless it's strike three.

It is such a hard pitch to turn around quickly on and make good contact and more over the middle.

That's a parking lot.

Another ball.

If you get a ball that lands in a truck bed, what do you get?

He had a prize for that.

Probably get to keep it with someone.

She chasing it down.

Get to keep the soft balls when they go foul is if it lands in someone's truck bed and stays there.

Little souvenir.

Bobby told us they don't keep a home run ball today.

Okay?

Yeah.

They brought.

They said they had enough.

All right, well, maybe we'll see.

One of those fingers crossed.

Maybe in the six a game we have later tonight.

Bentonville.

They've had a lot of those this year.

They're where they are for a reason.

They are.

But we're right here.

Two way.

We've still got this one to finish off.

And it's going to get exciting because it could come down to the wire.

The threat is over.

Riverside gets out of the jam and we are still scoreless.

We've got two more innings left to play, but they want to push it to extras.

Well, she was a baseball team played last night and I mean this was that baseball game 13, 13 and 13 innings.

We'll see what happens here in Conway as Riverside and Hackett roll on after this.

This month in passport on the PBS app.

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And.

Experience the action all over again next week.

Watch all the championship games on the PBS app.

Any time my AARP, pbs.org/and watch sports.

I want to give a big shout out to the air PBS crew.

Fantastic job putting on these championship games.

Love doing the football.

The basketball.

My first time doing baseball and softball.

See, my schedule doesn't allow me.

And I've had a blast this weekend doing the baseball and softball games.

This is my first time calling softball games.

It's been a lot of fun, a great crew to work with, and hopefully they'll invite us back next year.

I grew up in Texas.

I do a lot of traveling, you know, with our job, and I've seen some championship games, some put on TV or streamed, and no one does a job like, Arkansas PBS sports.

I'm serious.

No one does, does it?

As good as they did.

Well, it's been fun.

It allows you to watch this nail biter of a two way state title game.

And if you're Riverside right now, this is exactly where you want to be in the lineup.

And Lee Quarles leading things off.

She's got a two nothing count on her facing Kenzie Freeman for the third time.

She walked to start things off.

Struck out in the third.

Now in the sixth.

Got a hitter's count at three.

And oh.

Calls probably take a couple for no.

She's a good hitter.

Quarles hitting over 400 for 24.

But you gotta get on base.

Anything to get on base.

You knew that one was probably coming right down the middle.

But you're absolutely right.

A walk is as good as a base hit in this game as we're trying to see which offense is going to break through first and score the first run of the game.

Riverside the Lady Rebels hoping it's them.

This one shot deep into center field.

There it is.

If you get that ball, you get to keep it today.

And Allie Quarles with the home run.

And just like that one swinging the bat.

And the lady rebels have a one nothing lead.

It took a six innings to get here.

West.

We have finally seen our first run to come across the board Anna Lee Quarles with her fourth home run of the year, but the biggest home run of the year.

It's her 30th RBI to the one.

She grooved one pitch on three.

Oh, she got a good look at it.

And Quarles she came back that same spot just groovin trying to get a strike across.

Didn't want to.

Walker Hall's made her pay.

Took it out to right center field.

The wind is actually blowing a little bit out of right field.

Not dead in, but enough to hurt the ball.

It didn't hurt that ball.

I don't think so.

And I want to see who ended up with that ball eventually.

But look, she said she'd be good with a walk when she had A30 count, but still take a home run even more because that gives her team a one nothing lead here.

And for Hackett, opportunities missed in that last inning with two on in scoring position.

And now we've got Kaylee Cox at the plate.

She struck out both of her times against Freeman.

If you're Freeman in the circle though West you can't let that bother you.

And you know she's probably not letting it get to her.

She throws that in for a strike.

She's a senior.

She's done this for so long.

You have to be a goldfish.

You ought to Ted Lasso.

No, you don't get my goldfish reference.

That's okay.

Gotta be a goldfish.

I'll tell you about it.

I'm very much of a brain.

Well, well, it's a short term memory.

Okay?

You know, goldfish, they forget short term memory and short term memory in the circle.

Forget about that home run and focus now on Kaylee Cox.

You.

The good thing is, I think if you're Freeman is you've seen your offense get some things going.

You've been on base.

So you've got an opportunity to still do that.

You've got two more opportunities to still do that.

And right now they're going to come and start their second batter in their lineup once this inning is over.

Yeah the Freeman sisters are about to come up.

Shout out to right.

That one will be caught you know.

And I stayed away from it for six innings.

But Riverside didn't have a hit.

That was their first hit of the game.

They were being no hit until that home run.

Well that was really good on me for not saying that out loud was going to jinx it.

Good on me about jinx things, although I don't believe Jesus jinx us, but that's saying it's a whole different.

Let's do the no.

That's okay.

That's kind of what that one's a real jinx.

Yeah, like stay away from the no hitter.

Of course we appreciate you for that.

That pop up into Ava Bart Meyer's direction and easy.

Catch this one.

An easy catch for Carly Retherford.

And it is quickly two down for Hackett.

This is going to bring up Brooke.

Katie Ridge.

Katie.

Zero for two on the day.

Grounded out to third and her first at bat.

Flew out to left.

Next time up in the fourth, but she's made contact in both of her at bats.

See if she can get one through here.

Cleanup hitters hitting 305 on the season scored five doubles.

No, I didn't mean to do that, but that goes foul.

Fouling it off there.

Nothing wrong with that.

Gets another opportunity.

Riverside dugout has been active all day, but they're a little bit louder right now.

For some reason.

I think that one on the scoreboards got a lot to do with it.

Fouls that one off of her foot.

It's going to step out of the box and shake it out.

Look at our wind noise, your wind blowing kind of right field a left field.

Help that ball carry over that right center field for that home run for Qualls at the top of the inning.

That one a little low to make it two, two and Katie Ridge here just trying to battle.

She's already fouled off two balls.

Watch two balls come across.

That was a good pitch.

It was a little offspeed and low good contact there.

Wrangled up by Coryell at third.

The easy out to Decker at first.

And after the home run 123.

But the damage was done by Riverside.

Let's look at it again because man it was beautiful.

Walls making perfect contact over the wall.

And there are the cheers.

There were some Riverside fans back there ready to get that home run ball, and she is excited to say the least as she crosses home plate with her teammates around her because they have a one nothing lead.

As we head to the bottom of the six here in Conway.

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The great Champion chip keepsakes I think Riverside might want a shot of that home run from Quarles.

Something to remember forever?

I think so, and I guarantee you that Claire Womack here, taking a sigh of relief after she saw that Quarles home run, a little pressure off of her now in the circle as she steps in and faces off against Lily.

Oxford.

Oxford been on base both times.

Single in the walk.

She's going to pop up.

Let's stay in play.

No, no, it does not.

And so she's still is going to battle here.

Two strikes on her.

No balls.

But you're right.

She she had that hit off of Womack's leg in the first and then walked in the fourth.

And so she's had some success against Wallach.

And if Hackett wants to see if they can also add to their scoreboard, she'd like to get it started right here.

Oh, here it is.

Right back to the middle.

Bobbled by Cox still thrown over and thrown out there even after that bobble for outnumber one.

Good job by Cox there to just quickly get that pick it up with her hand and throw it over to Ridge for out number one.

You look at the replay.

Got her by half a step.

Good call.

In challenge.

Yep.

Got one more inning.

Only can challenge on the base in the set Mikey Freeman she lays down the bunt.

Well done.

And she is safe sliding head first into the base.

I don't see that often.

But it worked for her.

And coming out of that left side of the batter's box there, she put that bunt perfectly down where when they had to scoop that up, they had to still kind of turn their body towards first base to make that throw, giving her the opportunity to have enough time to get down and get down there safely.

So now Kenzie Freeman comes up and let's see what she can do with her sister.

At first on Mike, let's go a little speed that does surprise that how quickly she got down the line watching her over at first.

And I'm going to have a little offensive timeout talk with Kinsey.

Get her mind right.

Might be her last at bat.

Here we are in the sixth inning.

Your one, two three.

One.

Two, three.

She won't get back up again.

So you want to make sure you make this a productive at bat.

Earlier she struck out first inning.

She kind of popped it up to center field.

Easy play out there in center field.

Let's get her lefty.

Yeah, you just kind of want to give her a little bit of a pep talk.

Like you mentioned, she's batting 587.

And, on base percentage of 655.

So she's able to get it done with her bat, too, just like she's been able to get it done for the most part.

Today in the circle.

It's done a really good job against Kinsey.

She has keeping her a little bit out of sync in the batter's box ahead.

Oh two and there it is.

Swing and a miss for the strikeout.

That is what she wanted to see.

And that is a tough.

Tough way to go down for Kinsey Freeman.

And the second out of the inning.

High and outside.

Couldn't catch up with it.

Okay, so Riley Decker here to see if she can get anything done as she steps into the plate for the into the batter's box for the third time here.

Still got a runner on first and now two outs.

As a straight back.

Keep an eye on Mikey over there on first base.

Hasn't really taken off like she's for this.

Try to steal.

She's thought about it.

Hasn't done it yet.

We'll see what they can do here.

But Decker.

Gone.

Oh, she had it stolen and over slid the bag.

The artificial turf color sometimes can't get you stopped in time when you want to.

Especially if you try.

That looks like that.

She did.

Let's watch it one more time.

Takes off.

I think she would have beaten in and been safe had she just not completely slid past the bag.

Unfortunate there for Hackett, but that is out number three for Riverside and we now head into the seventh.

They've got a one nothing lead and looking to see if they can win a state title here in Conway.

Hackett hoping that they can do some magic in the seventh.

We're going to play it out after this.

Stick around.

We'll be right back.

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So here we go.

West.

Top of the seventh.

This is the closest game we've had in the last two days here, as we've been crowning state champion over the last few days.

This is the closest one we've had.

It is a one nothing game between Riverside and Hackett.

Top of the seventh here.

Claire Womack up to bat.

Little pitcher versus pitcher.

She flew out to first base and then grounded out to shortstop for two appearances against Freeman.

Freeman now six innings pitched, giving up just the one hit that was the home run.

Eight strikeouts, two walks.

Space, 21 batters.

Pretty good day.

Just one mistake.

Fouls that one off down the right field line.

Yeah that one mistake.

Costly though because it came on an anally Quarles home run in the sixth.

So seeing if she can shut down these Riverside batters and see if her offense can.

Do some magic in the bottom of the inning.

But right now that ball stopped by.

Cox quickly gets it over and past first base, tries to maybe throw it a little too quickly, and Womack safe at first to lead off this inning and hit it in the hole.

Tough play.

Third baseman couldn't get there.

Shortstop has the long throw.

Bounces it.

It wouldn't have mattered.

She was already there.

Yeah she was.

And we talked about a little bit of a slippery turf.

It's kind of what got Freeman there on that steel.

But sometimes a good point when you're in the dirt, if you're the shortstop and you're able to kind of get it, you're the dirt is going to stop you.

She was kind of still hurt.

The momentum was taking her towards third base and she had to stop her body and turn around and get it to first him back to Mikey getting caught stealing for slide past the bag we talked about all the time with artificial turf.

You slide further past the bag and you want to start your slide earlier.

We'll throw in a wet field and you're going to slide even a little bit more, more of a slip and slide atmosphere out there than anything else.

The bunt attempt here by Riley Eakins, unsuccessful for strike number one.

You just to see if they can get Womack into scoring position, maybe give them some run support.

Yeah, they'd love to have an additional 30.

Three.

Yeah.

A pinch runner, Mallory Booth, came in to run for Wallach.

Get the pitcher out.

Let her focus in on the last three outs of the game.

And then, of course, if you remember in the first, she did get hit in the leg.

So just give her a break.

You don't need her running the bases.

Just let her sit down and rest a little better.

She has to come back out and try to shut this one in this one for her team.

Trying to.

You can still fish through a way outside.

To two on Eakins.

Pops this one up into left center field there for Hobart.

She makes the catch, and now we've got one out.

Still one runner on on first, but one out for Hackett.

Carly Jo warming up next.

Right fielders.

Oh, for one.

She walked in the second inning, grounded out to third in her last at bat.

Junior Carly Jo lay down a bunt.

Here.

Try to push that runner over them.

Biggers is hitting 449.

Next up.

So good batting average coming up, 36 RBI.

You think you can get her over?

Something's a little low.

Freeman thought that was a good one.

Takes a walk past the circle.

Take a deep down there and Freeman has hit her spots for the most part today.

Just really well executed like you mentioned.

Just a few mistakes, but she's doing her best when these batters step into the box to just kind of paint those outside corners, get some of these batters to reach.

And she's been pretty successful.

Most of the day.

And doing that.

That one a little high and outside.

That one a little inside.

And so now you see a little little frustration there from Freeman.

Yeah.

Now a full count here on Womack felt like she had her on a low one and thought she had her on the inside.

Good patience there but got her swinging for outnumber two.

So ninth strikeout of the day.

Yeah.

Nine nine strikeouts on a pretty successful day in the circle.

Two outs here in the top of the seventh.

They're trying to get out of this inning and get back on offense for at least one more time.

Blakely Biggers here.

You mentioned she leads this team in RBI.

Can she drive in an extra run for Riverside?

Biggers, the third baseman, struck out twice, came into the game hitting 449 set earlier 36 RBI, leading the team from that eight spot.

To take their.

Lead.

Lead on that one.

Stick that on that outside corner one more time.

It's exactly what I would do if I were Freeman here.

Just go back to what's been working for you all day long.

Specifically against Biggers, who you mentioned struck out twice.

Make it three times.

And that is going to end the inning.

So if Hackett wants to win a state championship, they're going to have to get some offense going in the bottom of the seventh.

If not Riverside looking for the title.

Three outs away.

We got a lot of action.

Let's see what happens after this.

I have some glad tidings to impart.

Oh, look at that.

I'm still surprised at how good I am.

Jane Austin 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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We mentioned the nine strikeouts that Freeman had on the day.

Walmart comes in with eight.

This one's going to drop in for a base hit.

So Hackett knew what they had to do.

They had to start getting something going offensively.

And that is a leadoff hit there for Riley Decker.

Just a second run on first base.

First hit came in the first inning, second batter Lily Oxford when she grounded it off the pitcher's knee.

And they have been shut out since then.

A couple of walks, but that's it.

And they get a leadoff hitter on.

It's the 4 or 5 six up, you know.

Riley was up when Mickey was thrown out at second base.

So she leads off the inning, gets on base.

And it's interesting.

The four, five, six hitters all sophomores Decker, Thornburg and Reaver, three sophomores in the lineup.

So here, seeing if she can continue things again.

You just got to get that runner around and see if you can tie this one up.

Maybe walk it off here in the seventh.

If you're hack it for Riverside, you need three outs to win another state title.

They were the runners up again.

We talked about this was a rematch of last year.

They were the runners up a season ago.

Hackett won last year but they won back in 2023.

So a lot of these players on this Riverside team, on that team in 2023, they'd like to add another ring.

Of course, Hackett would like to add another ring as well.

Quarles.

Cox, Berry.

Ridge.

Warmack, all seniors there have been sophomores a couple of years ago.

One two count on Thornburg now A22 count.

Thornburg hitting 250.

But like I said earlier, leads the team in walks so good, I.

Missed that one.

Yeah.

You say at least know what I've always thought to, Do catchers always seem to really have a good eye there behind when behind the plate.

Being able to see obviously a little bit better, maybe do feel for the strike.

Just felt that way.

Yeah.

A good feeling of just kind of what to expect and then what you're seeing out of the pitcher's hand here.

But yeah one down is now Carly Reeser.

The center fielder, steps in to see what she can do and feel like to me.

Fastest pitch right there.

I mean, it was up and in and had a little speed behind it, but the adrenaline's flowing in her right now.

You think about it.

Two outs away from a state title runner on first.

Big moment.

She ran back and let that one go.

A lot of smiles in that circle was Jeff Oxford takes a minute to talk with her about what they want to do and the strategy here, and their final two outs of this game to try to tie things up, make things happen offensively.

And yeah, for Warmack, just take a deep breath and settle in and continue to do what you've done.

You've had a lot of success in the circle so far today.

You want to keep it going.

Your high will even up the count.

You there in 356.

She does have two home runs this year.

A third home run would walk it off.

That one.

Hi.

You put in all kinds of stuff out into the universe.

Blowing it out.

There you go.

You know.

Just see if any of them stick.

No deal.

Yet?

Yeah.

That one.

Still a little high.

Big opportunity here.

A lot on the line for her and her teammates.

Woman keeps climbing the ladder.

She got her swing once, but the last three times she's laid off the high fastball.

And there it is for a strike.

A full count now on Reeser felt like a little bit of a delayed strike.

Call.

I think that was an automatic take.

I don't think she I think, yeah, I think you're right and had the option to swing at that one.

Now she's dealing with A32 count.

Just want to battle anything off that you can.

This one popped up and buried there to catch it.

She makes the catch.

And now there are two outs and Riverside one outs away from a state title.

That's what you like to see from your catcher too?

I caught a little bit as well.

Well, take the mask off.

Just take it off.

Throw it down.

Get a clear view of of any kind of foul ball or pop fly that is in your territory.

The last time she walked the eight hole hitter.

Yeah, that's what you cannot walk the eight hole hitter.

You can't get that runner in the scoring position.

Just take care of business right here.

Get ahead of the count.

Here.

One second down to its last strike.

Riverside just needs one more to end this in here, in this game.

And take home a trophy.

And there it is.

That is going to do it.

A strikeout is going to end it Claire Womack doing it with her teammates.

There's the dogpile.

There's the cheers from the fan family and friends in the stands.

And they are your two a state champions.

Congratulations to the Riverside Rebels.

What a game we got today was a one nothing game.

All thanks to that Anna Lee Quarles home run.

It's all they needed in this state championship game.

We're going to look at that beautiful trophy on the other side of the break.

Stick around.

Yeah the.

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Education is everything, and if we can teach our children to get out there and make the most of that, that's great.

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You.

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Also holds.

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And.

There it is.

Annalee Quarles, given that trophy a big Ole hug.

And she deserves it because she is the difference in this game for Riverside, her home run in the sixth inning.

The difference in this one nothing ballgame.

Congratulations to the rebels.

They are your 2025 to a state title champions and West.

We got some highlights to show you.

But we all know kind of how this unfolded.

And it was a pitcher's doing.

It started right off the bat in the second inning.

You had Womack just really starting to settle in and and shut batters down.

She had two strikeouts in that inning.

Then in the third on the other side, it was Freeman, Kinsey Freeman.

She struck out the side there.

We had a total of what, 15 strikeouts in this game?

I believe 22, 22, 22.

My bad.

22 I'm way off there.

That is how dominant of a pitching performance it was.

But this offensively was the difference.

And a Lee Quarles her fourth home run of the season, coming when it mattered the most.

And then Womack able to shut it down, close the door there with a strikeout and end things as Riverside wins its second state title in two years and a big time.

Congratulations to them.

Riverside, get your championship gear.

Here's what you need to do.

Visit Arkansas High School sports.com.

The official championship apparel and memorabilia for this season are available right now.

Arkansas high school sports.com well west.

It was worth the wait today to get that rain out of here and get this softball game on, but we are not finished.

Check this one out.

Six A softball finals, two teams from my neck of the woods and Northwest Arkansas.

You've got the Benton Ville Tigers and the Harbor Wildcats.

It should be a fun one as these two foes though, right down the street from each other.

Six AA state softball game coming to you at 6:00 right here from Shark Stadium.

But that is going to do it for us.

Thanks so much for joining us for Westmore.

I'm Melissa Orange.

We'll see you right back here at 6:00.