From all.

A beautiful Friday afternoon at Schock Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.

And it is time to crown a for a state champion.

Great to be with you here, Alyssa Orange alongside Kyle Sutherland.

We've got peerage.

We've got Fox.

Like we've got a lot happening today.

And including this schedule on tap.

We've got this game right here on Arkansas PBS between Pea Ridge and Box.

I got some baseball on tap as well.

Today should be a great day here at UCA for a lot of state championship games.

And when you look at Pea Ridge this is a matchup.

They are back here for the second time.

Still looking for that first state title for them.

But they've got a lot of talent here and trying to make up for how everything last, ended last year.

That's exactly right.

And you look at this team that came into the game against their rival Farmington, their former conference rival Farmington.

And Lady Cardinals got up six to nothing.

And then in the seventh inning, the Lady Blackhawks made a massive run and ended up scoring five and dang near tied it up.

They got really close.

But this is a team that's been to the state final the for four times in the last five years.

And so I know their senior leader in the circle Emery Bolen is really going to want to get one before she plays on this field for her college career.

When you talk about Emery Bowl, let's talk about our a little bit more on because she kind of starts and stops this team for P Rich.

Absolutely.

She has been one of the premier arms in the state really for the past 3 or 4 years, especially the last three years leading the Lady Blackhawks to this game.

They lost to grab it in 2023 and then of course Farmington last year.

So she is as driven.

I know the coach you talked to Coach Reynolds really just her and not just her and the seniors, but really this team in general that has been here before, there has driven as they have ever been to finish the job this year.

On the other side of the box site dugout, it is Emma King.

She is the star of that team.

And for the miners, they're excited about their third baseman.

Absolutely.

You look over on the ridge side and most batters are intimidated to see Emery, but maybe not intimidated.

But you don't like seeing her in the circle?

Well, then you flip the script and you look at him a king there in the batter's box.

And that's how most pitchers feel, and that's how they've been really since her freshman year.

She's been one of the most feared batters she can catch.

She can play on the corner force being at third base now, but she has really made the lady miners go.

This should be a fun one, as P Ridge is looking for their first for a state title.

Bauxite won it back in 2018, but it is going to be a fun one to see how this one goes out.

Today's weather.

We had a little low clouds earlier this morning.

Partly cloudy though, but it's a beautiful day here in Conway to crown a champion.

P Ridge and bauxite ready to get going.

We're ready as well.

Softball action right after the break.

Broadcast of this championship game is made possible by.

Since 1937, the electric cooperatives of Arkansas have been providing power to homes, farms and businesses across our state.

The cooperatives are member owned and worked together to serve Arkansans.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas proudly support high school students and athletics in Arkansas, and hope you enjoy watching the state championship games on Arkansas.

PBS Sports.

Better connected together the electric cooperatives of Arkansas.

UAMs is a proud supporter of Arkansas PBS.

Sports UAMs health provides orthopedic and sports medicine care across Arkansas, supporting athletes and teams throughout the state.

Find out more at unmatched Health back home.

Win Rock automotive supports Arkansas athletes as a sponsor of the Arkansas PBS sports broadcast of the high school state championship games with seven dealerships across the state serving little Rock.

Conway and Jonesboro.

When Rock automotive is community focused and provides vehicle sales and service across Arkansas, we're honored to be a part of these unforgettable moments celebrating Arkansas student athletes.

Win Rock automotive connecting communities through service and support.

Our.

Welcome back.

Let's get ready to go here as Bauxite and Pea Ridge get things started in this for a state title game.

And here's a look at the win.

Rock automotive batting order for the Black Hawks Lexi Vigil, Haley Wiley.

Bailey.

Warden, Emery Boland, McKenzie.

Whalen, Hope Conklin, Haley.

Parker, Abigail.

Rogers, Ashlyn Short, is your line up.

And as we mentioned, this Pea Ridge team looking for that first state title.

Kyle, despite being here in 2024, 23 and 21.

That's right.

Lexi Vigil has been one of the key components.

That's probably why she's at the top of the batting order.

And then one of the key components over the past couple of years here and slashing 500 plus across the board.

And then you look at at box side, they're countering with Bianca, Patty Stone, a really good sophomore pitcher, that, she'll work a curve pretty much any way that you want to.

She'll go back door, she'll on the corner of the play and also has a really nice changeup as well.

Lexi Vigil, the highest batting average on this peerage team, batting 525 this season.

She's got 42 hits and 12 RBI.

A solid leadoff hitter here for the Blackhawks.

Takes that strike.

Fouls that one off.

And you know we saw this in have yesterday and and over the course of of this season and over the course of the year really Kyle you know leading off with speed with with someone in the a left hander that can drag, that can slap bunt, that can really try to just get you that, that starting runner on bases as easily as they can.

That's exactly right.

And then also two, you're seeing here meaning pretty early on, battling at the plate already.

And so, yeah, that's what they have been known for.

That's that's one of the things, of course, coach, Coach Rhodes at backside, she loves hitting.

So she'll talk a lot about that being patient at the plate.

That's something Coach Reynolds emphasized as well.

Well she's battling here.

She's putting in the work already as the leadoff batter, doing what she can to try to get on base for peerage here.

And, already kind of working up that pitch count.

Fouls that one off again.

She's going to start her first batter with a full count here.

And I love watching Lexi's little routine.

Did you did you play?

I had a routine I stepped out, you know, everyone's kind of got a routine.

And she finds a gap.

She gets that one over the left fielder's head.

Looks like she's trying to stretch for three and does just like that.

Battling in the box pays off.

Well.

She is standing at third and Ridge has a runner in scoring position right off the bat here to try to get her run across the board early.

I think that will set the tone early.

Man.

I'll tell you, you know, really good bat on the ball there that really hit it back towards the warning track.

And not a much better way to start here.

And then for the lady Blackhawks in that.

Following her now at the plate is Haley Wiley.

And she's got 19 RBI on the season trying to make it 20 here.

If she can get a base hit and drive in her teammate.

Haley Wiley, the starting center fielder.

I know that she'd like to hit one out to deep left field or maybe even a little bit further back.

Back behind the fence.

And she saw what her teammate did, was able to poke that one over the left fielder.

Cave jacks is here.

Maybe she can do it again.

And you talk about a home run.

She's got two on the season and takes this one into the gap.

JB Jacks Kent Cave jacks, can I get it?

That scores a run and P Ridge very quickly on the board here to start things off a one nothing lead and.

Both games that we've had so far and one and five AA the team that scored first ended up winning.

So the odds are in his favor right now.

Putting that out there.

See what you're doing there Kyle A.P.

Ridge is pumped up.

And that's that's the way you have to start things, especially here in the afternoon.

Just get things going early.

Like you mentioned, set the tone and P Ridge definitely understood that they're trying to get that title that we've talked about, hasn't been able to happen over the past couple of years.

And for bauxite, just a quick little conversation at the mound, your infielders just trying to settle her down as a young sophomore.

She's got to settle into this game.

But Keystone does.

But that's that's one thing about her is she has proven she doesn't get too high.

She doesn't get too low.

She'll settle in here.

This is Haley Ward.

And now at the plate for Pea Ridge.

The second baseman looks at ball one.

Here.

Pokes this one past the shortstop.

Avery Green.

That is another base hit for Pea Ridge.

And that's what you gotta do.

String base hits together and now you've got runners on first and second for Emory ball in.

And we have talked about her as a pitcher in the circle.

But she also can do things at the plate as well Kyle.

That's right.

Yeah.

But then that cleanup spot and 431 527 603 got 18 RBI on the year.

So very effective player in the circle and at the plate.

And this is something to Alyssa that we haven't seen quite it looks like they're going to go.

They're warming up M.J. Birmingham the senior she's been most throughout her four year career.

She has been in the circle a lot.

And that's one thing that they have used with Matty Stone this year, kind of just to save M.J. for the postseason for moments like this.

But that's something that we didn't see especially early on in the past two state championship games was key.

Really did struggle to hit against grab it.

And so yep, that's what we're seeing here.

All right.

We'll talk more about M.J. after the break.

We'll be right back.

P Ridge starting hot early.

This month in passport on the PBS app.

Two stab wounds.

First one's deep.

Most likely the fatal blow.

We're assuming that we have a kill glove and raise the platform.

So who and Brokenwood hit a motive for murder?

Nearly everyone.

I'm a woman alone, newly arrived in a dangerous town.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app this month on Arkansas PBS.

Hi, I'm Steve Weldon, inviting you to join me for a fun filled three day hike in one of the most scenic national parks in America.

Now I'm going further, following a route inspired by the Pan-American highway, a system of roads connecting the Americas.

Each week we travel the country north to south, east to west, exploring some of the most exciting gardens.

Only on Arkansas PBS.

We are back here in action, picking up here in the top of the first between Pea Ridge and Bok side, and in Birmingham.

We talked a little bit about her before we went to break.

She takes over in the circle.

She's had 119 innings to her name this season, 95 K's with an ERA of 219.

But she takes over no outs right now and runners on.

It looks like third and second.

Since that one in to Emory Bolen for a strike and JK are wearing her ASU Newport visor, that's where she'll be continuing her college career.

Were you surprised that they made that that change in the circle so quickly?

Kyle.

Probably so just I thought, oh, this one.

They tried to pick her off on third, keeping her honest.

They're going to hold off, not try to make the play at home.

And now Peerage with a two nothing lead as Kaylee Wiley comes in to score.

Yeah I was a little bit just I thought that they might at least a try to see what happens through the first inning.

Actually hit her on the back on apologize.

Yo not yeah.

But that's kind of that's really essentially what we're seeing here is I mean, I say that's not real.

I was going to say they're taking advantage of some mistakes.

But of course that was just really an unlucky play for bauxite right there that once again bridge took control here.

But looks like some pitch is high in the zone here.

That I think Lexi Childress is having a little bit trouble gathering in.

But I think it's just really about calm in the nerves right now for bauxite.

Yeah, I think you're right.

And that's one of those things.

Again, you look at the scoreboard and it feels like this could easily snowball.

They're just looking for their first out here pops this one up foul and out of play.

But but that's what you have to focus on right now.

You've got a runner on third.

You don't have any outs.

And you just want to kind of get out of the inning, regroup into that dugout and see what you can do.

I mean, you haven't even come to the plate yet.

You guys have an offense that you can rely on to if you're bauxite.

So just take a deep breath, get through the inning and, and and try to get back into that dugout.

You seen in Jake a pretty much strictly rise ball here.

She'll throw a curve as well.

But that was really the main the first couple of pitches there.

Just a little bit out of control.

It looks like she's way more settled in after a couple of throws.

She's got a full count right now.

On Emory Bolen scoring around trying to draw the pitcher's attention.

Pulls it back, pops it up this one into deep left center field and that one is gone.

She said see you later.

And that is a two run home run for Pea Ridge.

And just like that, the Blackhawks with a four nothing lead man.

We talked about Emery Bolen and she just basically put an exclamation point on why we were talking about her at the beginning of the game.

That's right.

And that was the very first question that I asked coach Reynolds when I talked to him earlier this week, was, do you use especially last year with the way that that game ended?

You use that as any kind of motivation, or do you just leave that in the past and just worry about now?

And he said, I've never mentioned it really a whole lot.

And the kids haven't either.

They just look forward.

They worry about themselves right now and we are seeing a strong of the starters you could ask for from this group right now.

A very impressive start by this P Ridge team.

And she has two home runs on the season.

Does Emory ball in.

There is her third.

And it came at a perfect time in the state championship game to help give her team a four nothing lead.

Now stepping in the box as Mackenzie Whalen, the catcher for this Blackhawk team, Kenzie Whalen has been just a massive part of what this team has done.

She took over for a four year catcher in Kaylee Cooper.

So you can imagine that relationship that her Italian Emery had through the years.

And Mackenzie has just really stepped in and done a great job.

Pokes this one fair just down the third base line past the bag into the corner will stand up easily at second, and right now it just feels like this peerage Blackhawks offense is really being able to do whatever they want to at the plate.

And McKenzie also brought her bat today, two for her fourth double of the season.

Still here in the top of the third and box side.

Still looking for their first out of this game Mackenzie Whalen there again sending it into that field corner.

Hope Conklin steps in the shortstop for the Blackhawks.

And.

Seeing if she can continue to keep things going.

Shortstop number three Hope Conklin.

Going clear a no.

She's at least a three year starter.

She's been in the middle infield for the Black Lady Blackhawks.

For another one of those that have been out there for a while now.

It's one zero count.

Early to conquer.

Home.

Watch that one go.

Pass for a strike.

The other one of these batters at bats on the left side of the plate, seeing if they can find some success in the drag bunt slap.

But whatever they call it these days.

Try to lay that one down.

Rolls foul for strike number two.

At this point, you're on your year six old don't.

And bauxite hasn't been able to record an out yet.

So why not just lay down a button.

Just keep advancing.

The runners.

Or at least the runner in you in this case, when you're just trying to do whatever you can here, if you can give yourself a nice cushion as this four oh lead has already started.

To start things off at the top of the first, that really helps your defense, your pitcher step onto the field when it's time for them to get out there and have a little bit more, of a comfortable, relaxed, laid back feeling of that tension.

There's the first out as she pops that up to Emma King at third base.

Feel a little bit better, a little bit more relaxed with that four nothing lead.

Here's a look at the defense for the miners.

As we mentioned Emma King at third Avery Green at Short Kim Smith London Cunningham rounding out the infield, Katie Jack Joey A Zoe Hicks Alicia Gardner in the outfield and M.J. Birmingham in the circle.

You've got Lexi Childress for catcher behind the plate.

One out now for bauxite.

Hailey Parker lays down the bunt.

They execute the play out at second.

And now bauxite sees their second outs of the inning.

And they need one more to get back into that dugout and get their offense going.

Five three play right there.

And the making is has been key.

And getting those back to back out.

Number 15 Abigail Rogers.

A designated player for the Blackhawks today Abigail Rogers stepping in.

She is in the eight hole.

So if she gets on base Kyle, we will have Ashlyn short come up.

And we have batted completely through this Pea Ridge lineup in this first inning try.

And Abigail Rogers did a Emery and was dealing with some injury issues to start the season there.

And Abigail actually was was pitching mostly at that time.

And that's one to look for in the future.

And another player that can fill many roles for this team.

Abigail Rogers, now A20 count on her.

Trip to the box side there.

I mean, it goes without saying.

They're off to a tough start, but this is a really resilient bunch.

You know, they had hit a slump a little before the postseason.

There and then just really got hot before the postseason.

So let's see if they continue to just kind of calm the nerves a little bit and start chipping away once they do start batting.

Speaking about playing their best softball at the right time, when you talk about how they got here beating Lone Oak 4 to 1 and gentry 14 to nothing and Gosnell five nothing before they made it to this state championship game.

So you're right, they've they've been playing their best softball.

This is a very uncharacteristic start for them.

These four runs the most they've given in this postseason and through regional and state tournament play up to this point.

They've outscored opponents 45 to 14.

A lot of great senior leadership as a reason for that.

Abigail Rogers takes a walk.

And that's going to bring up Ashlyn Shaw, the first baseman for peerage.

And as we've mentioned now batting in the nine hole.

This box team is now showing the entire lineup for P Ridge.

You mentioned outscoring opponents 45 to 14 and impressive regional and start to the state tournament.

But they were also batting are also batting heading into this game 408.

And we've yet to see their offense in action.

So it's very obviously early in the game in the top of the first.

But they're going to look at this and look at that 408 batting average and say that's what we're relying on.

We can come here and do come in here and do exactly what Peerage just did.

Yeah, there's no question about it.

And it's really just about I mean, you know, just chipping away really.

That's what we kept talking about yesterday afternoon's game.

And you know Benton ended up running away with that one.

But yeah still tons and tons of game left.

Fouls.

Got one off down the left field line off the wall.

One two count.

Now for Ashland.

We talked about this a little bit yesterday and the game that we called it for five a Kyle, about how this nine hole hitter sometimes is almost like a second lead off.

And short is batting 361.

Takes this one down the first base line.

There's outnumber three.

And that's going to do it.

Fox gets out of the inning, but not before she does the damage.

It is for nothing.

As we head to the bottom of the first in Conway, right up to this.

Team sports in Arkansas really is the building of character.

It's being able to get through trials and tribulations as a team.

You take those lessons from team sports and use them in everyday life situations.

I'm RJ Hawk, please consider giving to Arkansas PBS sports.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by Centennial Bank, supports communities across Arkansas, and is a proud supporter of the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS sports, providing financial services since 1999.

Member FDIC.

More at my 100 banks.

Com.

And.

The bauxite miners now seeing what they can do offensively as they come to the plate for the first time in this four a state title game.

It's going to start off with Zoe Hicks, the catcher for the miners Katie Jacks Emma King, Lexi Childress MJ Birmingham Avery Greene, London Cunningham, Alicia Gardner and then of course, who started in the circle, Bianca the Keystone.

And they had MJ as the designated player.

Kyle I wonder how much changes in their lineup now that she's in the circle or if anything changes at all?

Yeah, they'll usually use her as either a DP or she's not pitching typically in the outfield a lot of different times.

So hard.

But we do know this.

Her bat is going to be in the lineup because along with the name of Kane, she's the most powerful one they have.

Zoe Hicks, the leadoff batting 387 this season, has an on base percentage of 508.

Trying to get things going for bauxite and try to cut into this four nothing lead that peerage.

Kick things off with Boleyn's career.

We've seen her work a lot of rise ball, but she's also worked on her some arsenal this year with great change up curveball.

She's got a few that she can show to us.

Fouls.

Got one back.

Hicks does tell me more about Emery and just what she's been able to mean for this team in the circle.

I think more than anything, just her confidence in the circle.

I still think back to that Gravett game where, I mean, the score wasn't incredibly, it wasn't a massive difference.

It's popping that up foul out of play.

I think it's another chance.

I think it was maybe like A61 or something like that finish, but it was pretty obvious that day that Gravett just had the upper hand.

But despite all the hits given up, she just stayed calm.

And that's kind of like what I was saying about the tea stone and really just makes up a great pitcher was yeah, obviously what they throw the speeds and control, but just the confidence that they show the team really builds off the emery ball and confident in the circle, because she just hit a two run home run for her team at the top of the first here battling against Zoe Hicks.

That one a little inside for ball two.

She doesn't like that ball.

What.

Neither wants a new one.

And.

That one.

Hi.

Got a full count now for Hicks and.

See who she goes with.

Maybe a career change here.

Just gonna mix it up a little bit so she can get that first strikeout.

There she goes.

Blows that one past her right down the middle.

That's her first strikeout of the day.

And Zoe Hicks going down swinging.

That's going to bring up Cobb jacks the left fielder for the minors.

And she had a lot of action coming her way at the top of the first.

Now in the batter's box to try to see if she can make something happen herself.

She is averaging 333.

Went on base percentage of 402.

But anything she can do to help this box out team get on the base pass.

Maybe judge.

She's played for coach Maddie Rhodes for a long time.

Obviously her career with bauxite, but they actually won a World Series with 813 years ago.

So her and Emma King was on the team's first eight U softball tournament team.

And you know, you've got a good relationship, a close relationship, probably even more than just a coach.

That's right.

With Coach Rhodes when they've known you since you were eight.

And Maddie comes from a very strong softball league.

Your dad, Marty, coaches some travel teams as an assistant at Quitman.

Her sister Cassie pitches.

That son started at UCA and now pitches in southern Arkansas, and her youngest sister is a just finished up her junior career.

Dakota Rhodes.

It's going to go at Quitman.

It's going to go play at CVC.

So a lot of softball talks.

I'm sure Thanksgiving and Christmas tables during dinner.

I remember those days fondly for sure.

My dad was my coach, so it never okay never ended the the the strategy talk the what would you do in this situation?

Talk the you're not hitting very well.

You're dropping your shoulder to talk.

We heard it all at the dinner table.

Oh two count here on jacks.

And there is strike number three.

And strike out number two for Emery.

Here's a look at our defense and the lineup behind Emory Kaylee Parker at third Hook.

Uncle Lee, Lee Warden and Ashlyn Short at first base, Lexi Vigil, Haley Wiley and Peaslee.

Tillman in the outfield McKenzie Whalen behind the plate catching for Emory.

Boland today for the Black Hawks.

Talks about just the that's that's another sign of a great pitcher right there is when you have mentioned how Kaylee Cooper and Emory had been used to be in that strong battery make for a couple of years.

And then McKenzie Whalen, who also did catch some last year to kind of get her prepared for the future.

It's just really been business as usual.

And they picked the right back up where they left off.

Well, here are two players to watch battling against each other.

Emma King steps up for bauxite at the plate, going against Emory Bolen.

And you said you might not want to see him reborn in the circle, and you might not want to see Emma King at the batter's box.

So this is going to be a fun matchup between these two of.

I've seen Emma hit a lot out in person.

She's got 15 home runs on the season, averaging a 471 batting average and 57 RBI.

No.

One to work with on the base pass right now, and.

An unfortunate man that's a umpire behind the plate taking one.

We try to jump into the replay right on that inside of the thigh.

There.

Oh well yeah that's not good.

Yeah I wouldn't know Kyle.

Yeah that's I don't think that feels good.

No no I certainly feel that is that is really tough.

Looks like he's you just catch his breath and getting up.

But that is a really tough.

Do you let him take all the time he needs there.

Let's take a break ourselves and we'll be right back here with this.

For a state title game between peerage and bauxite, it's prime time on your time.

Get more of your primetime favorites each weekday, starting at 130.

Following our PBS kids programs.

Catch up on all the programs you love, including exploring Arkansas, nature, Antiques Roadshow, Arkansas Week, British Favorites, mysteries, and more.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

See the full schedule and all the ways to watch at my Arkansas PBS Dawgs.

Watch.

Want to see even more Arkansas stories?

Subscribe to Arkansas PBS on YouTube for original productions, extras from your favorite local programs, behind the scenes videos, and our exclusive coverage of high school sports, all available on demand and all Arkansas made.

Don't miss out on more great Arkansas stories!

Subscribe now.

Welcome back.

And we're still kind of giving everyone just a breather here after that incident with the home plate umpire.

Hope he's okay.

Hope he's doing well.

Looks like he is.

And so that's good news.

UAMs health, orthopedics and Sports Medicine supports the athletic programs and events across Arkansas.

Clinics are located throughout Central and northwest Arkansas.

You can learn more at UAMs health.com.

I think they're just over there.

Just making sure double triple checking everyone feels good and everyone is okay before they start this game.

And, it's early but is right now looking good offensively putting up those four runs in the top of the inning, but looking good defensively and specifically in the circle because Emery Bowling has started things off with two strikeouts.

Yeah that's right.

And that's what you would expect man.

Just kind of not too shocked by that just because of the way that she has played this year.

But while we've got a second here let's recognize our umpires behind home plate.

We have Marcus Johnson first base Ricky Jaeger and then also at third for third base, Mark Thompson.

So appreciate our officiating crew today.

Yes we do.

And it looks like Marcus Johnson is doing well.

He's going to put the mask on again I believe.

Getting a round of applause there from the Marcus Johnson crowd.

Tip of the cap to Marcus Johnson.

And everybody is ready to go.

So here we are, Emory ball and stepping back into the circle ready to go.

And once again we were talking about it facing Emma King.

Let's not talk about it.

Let's not take anything away about this matchup we're seeing right now between pitcher and hitter was they think everybody's especially after that intro and seeing the players to watch.

This is the one that you always really take an extra focus on.

King gets hit.

It looked like in the kneecap, trying to go inside to see if she could get her swing, and instead Emma King standing on first base right now, the first base runner for box.

And that's going to bring up Lexi Childress, the catcher right now for the miners.

And one of the things that coach was telling us was that Childers has spent three years as one of their best first baseman in minor history, and now is a big leader behind the play, making that move.

And sometimes when you have an infielder who is so good at first base, it's hard to take them away from that position.

But she has moved herself behind the plate to to catch for this Lady Miners team, and it's worked out really well for her this year.

They describe her as their their maintenance person, their their game manager, whatever you want to call it.

And that's what you love to see, especially from someone behind the dish, someone that knows the game.

And her coach Rhodes.

She knows it like the back of her hand.

Well, offensively right now.

Childress batting 323 swing and a miss there for strike one with A11 count on her.

She's got Emma King sitting at first base, hoping that her teammate can get a base hit and move her around.

Strike to the throw down to first just to keep Emma King honest down there.

Don't want her creeping too far off of that base.

Two outs here for bauxite.

Trying to see what they can do with the one out they have left.

Swing and a miss.

And it is strikeout, strikeout, strikeout for Emery Bolen.

We head to the second is Peerage.

Now back at the plate, seeing if they can add any more to this.

Four nothing lead.

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've never seen anything like this.

I think we have sufficient cause for celebration.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by Summer Woods Sports Complex in Bryant, features four courts across two gyms located off Interstate 30, offering space for tournaments, practices and training.

Proud to support the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS.

More at Summer woods Sports.com.

And.

Arkansas PBS sports is supported by Wendy's.

One in the menu choices is the Salted Caramel Frosty.

Availability may vary by location.

That sounds amazing.

Right now.

Kyle was like, oh, give me one of those side of French fries.

Welcome back.

Good to be with you Alyssa Lauren here alongside Kyle Sutherlin.

And it is a four nothing lead as P Peerage here starts off the top of the second MJ Birmingham still in the circle after relieving Bianca.

But Stone in the first Lexi vigil.

We are back to the top of the lineup for the Blackhawks.

Let's Lexi Vigil who let it off in the first, leading it off here again in the second.

She had that ball that went over the left fielder's head for a standing triple.

Her first time at bat.

And as we said, it's really just about, you know, just kind of learning from what happened in the first inning there.

And just keeping calm here and trying to, you know, because I think it was what was it, six batters that by the peerage it had before the box out.

It even recorded an out.

So you know that they're 1 in 1 of those quick innings like Emery Bowl and just had one, two, three strike.

And outside.

From the confidence standpoint I think that's what they like to just go ahead and get back in that dugout, get back to their offense, tries to lay that one down and pushes it back to the backstop.

Second strike of the at bat here.

There's head coach for the Blackhawks Josh Reynolds and.

He's been a big part Kyle, of the success that the Blackhawks team has seen over the last couple of years.

That's right.

And he's been at peerage his whole entire teaching coaching career, 18, 19 years, I think it is now.

And so he's got a baseball background and obviously coached softball for a while.

So really knows the game.

And he is really want to get one of those rings.

He's had a lot of opportunities and as we've mentioned top short in those.

Here he definitely has confidence that this team can be the team to bring that back.

That hardware to peerage up in northwest Arkansas, where I reside.

Ball three.

And it's another full count for Lexi Vigil.

And we talked about this.

Her first at bat.

She battled against Patty Stone in the box and has drawn herself again a full count here.

This one.

Back to the pitcher Birmingham.

No problem.

Scooping it up sending it over to first for London Cunningham.

And that is the first out of the inning.

One down for the Lady Miners.

That's just what we were talking about that you looking for.

Just some soft contact there and right back to the pitcher.

She can feel the number 413 out.

Haley Wiley sending this one into left.

Kirby.

Jack takes care of that one for a quick out.

Number two.

And that was one of the things that we saw really through the first couple of batters for P Ridge there was the those couples that they hit in the gaps out into outfield.

That one was also softly hit and outfit left fielder was able to just get under it.

Jax playing out there just not going to let anything up over her head again.

This game warden steps in.

She hit one back up the middle past Avery Greene at shortstop.

Her first At-Bat.

This one inside ball two.

Right.

Pops this one up.

Looks like it's going to stay into the field.

And that will do it London Cunningham gets the catch and box side gets that 123 inning.

They were hoping for Kyle.

And we're going to head to the bottom of the second.

See if they can do anything offensively here to get on the board.

We'll be right back from Conway after this.

This month in passport on the PBS app.

This week Austin City Limits celebrates 50 years.

Folk is something that takes you over a history that goes back to the spiritual in this time.

Liza minnelli being born into Hollywood royalty Judy Garland and Vincent Minnelli doesn't make you a superstar.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by Everett Buick.

GMC provides vehicles to Arkansas families and supports local organizations.

Community involvement has been part of our story for generations.

Proud to support the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS sports.

More at Everett BGM, KGW.com.

Experience the action all over again next week.

Watch all the championship games on the PBS app anytime.

Just to relive some of this fun action that we have seen so far here at Shark Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas.

We're in the bottom of the second box right there, second time at the plate seeing if they can cut into this four nothing P Ridge lead.

We're going to start things off here with M.J. Birmingham.

And we talked Kyle, you mentioned regardless if she's in the circle or not her bat is in the lineup.

That's right.

And that's where they're always going to have her in there regardless of she's just hitting only as a DP or not or in the outfield or in the circle.

I mean, you got to have a bat like that with me, especially with the way that her and King, how they've been throughout their career.

Well, her numbers speak for themselves.

She's got a 416 average just below Emma King to lead the team.

Two home runs and 36 RBI.

So that bat is valuable in this Lady Minors lineup as she looks at strike two here.

Bowling.

I mean, it's hard to imagine she's as great as a career she's had.

Overall, it's hard to imagine a better start than what she's had the day between the two run home run and looking for her third strikeout for MJ, popping this one up to conquer at short.

She makes the catch and that is outnumbered one for the Blackhawks.

And that's what we talked about at the beginning of the of the inning there for both sides.

Maddie Rhodes will get back to that in a minute.

The head coach here I mean she feels really good about this team.

And she has known a lot of these young ladies for a really long time.

And that plays into the chemistry that this team has had all season long.

That's right.

Had the ones that she you know they've got a lot of three and four year starters on the team.

But just coaching them on the travel scene when they were younger.

And so she's known about them.

Have been able to work with them all these years.

And I do need to correct myself.

And like I said Emery's looking for her third strike.

She already got that in the other inning.

She's actually looking for her fourth.

So I do not want to shortchange her.

There.

She forgives, you know.

I'm sure she does.

But talking a little bit more about Emery, what we were talking about at the top of the first when they were having all that success early offensively, that just makes things so much easier for your pitcher and Emery and the defense.

You get to play a little bit more, relax, because you do have a four nothing lead right now early in this game.

And she's pitching like it too with so much confidence a beautiful rise ball to get the strike out.

And that is strike outnumber four on Avery Green for Emery Bullen and a quick one for two and London coming Ham coming up to bat for the first time in this game to face Emery Bolen.

And right now bauxite.

They're just looking to put the bat on the ball.

Pops this one up into foul territory so she'll get another shot.

It's all a headache for somebody else or a potential headache for somebody in the stands.

Maybe they brought their glove.

They could have caught that.

Kyle.

Come on.

Should have.

Or it got hit out.

I mentioned it yesterday.

I don't know if they're still giving out lollipops for return foul balls.

There you go.

And that's exactly what they want to see happen London Cunningham pushing this one into left center field.

That is the first base hit of the day for the lady miners.

And seeing if maybe they can string some of those together with two outs here in the bottom of the second.

Yeah that's right.

Again you know, as a young player that that was one that she took as any freshman sophomore it's going to take.

They got to get adjusted to the speed of the varsity game.

And really as this season has come along she has been big for them.

And not just the first hit.

Lady Miners Alicia Garner stepping in the right fielder here for the Lady Miners.

Two outs for her with London Cunningham.

At first she looks at strike one against Emery Boland.

And there is strike to a beautiful pitch there by Bolen.

Looked like it might have been a little inside but just paints that corner there of the plate and freezes Garner in the box.

And they're chasing for out number three.

Strike out number five for Boland and we are headed to the top of the third period.

So with that four nothing lead over the lady Miners as we get back.

We've got Emery Boland to lead things off.

This month in passport on the PBS app.

Some are born to adventure and others October.

These are difficult times kept what may come between us?

Nothing in my life has meaning without you.

You said that the house held secrets.

Did you discover any dreadful revelations yet?

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by.

For over 70 years, Farm Bureau Insurance has offered coverage for automobiles, homes, farms, and lives across Arkansas.

I'm proud to support the Arkansas activities Association.

More at AFB, Icom.

And.

The pictures welcome back the fans filling out the berm there behind the outfield here at Schock Stadium.

Let's hit you with a trivia question.

Maybe they might know the answer to this out there, but I'm going to test you, Kyle.

Okay.

Who holds the state record for most home runs hit in a career?

I'm going to guess Jolie Mitchell.

Why is that?

Well, because she had a phenomenal on top of her phenomenal career that just put up video game numbers at Rosebud.

I know she was like a 600 plus career hitter.

Now, I think I know she's probably in the top five.

We'll see if you're right.

Yeah, okay.

I honestly think that's a bad answer.

We'll see if you're right, we'll let you know here in just a little bit.

Speaking of homeruns, Emory Boland hit her third of her season in the first grounds out there to the shortstop for out number one for bauxite McKenzie Whalen now up to bat.

She hit one into that left field corner her first time at bat in the first as she faces MJ Birmingham again.

That's one of the things you really got to credit Birmingham for is it seems like once she has come in and you got the senior leader in the circle, the things have calmed down a lot for the lady miners.

Whalen past the second baseman Kim Smith.

And that is a base hit.

Her second of the day today to get a runner on for the Black Hawks.

Here in the top of the third.

Hope Conker coming to the plate.

The shortstop for Pea Ridge.

She popped it up her first at bat.

It was actually the first inning they recorded the Lady Miners did in that first inning.

Now with an opportunity and a runner on here, you know.

Got blown away at me.

Tries to lay down the bunt and that one fouled back to Lexi Childress behind the plate.

Okay, songbird go through a little bit more small ball here like we saw particularly in the first inning.

And they had scored all those four runs.

Trying to move the runner into scoring position here.

But also using a little speed when she can get down the basepaths and have two on here for the Black Hawks.

Thinks about scoring around but that one a little higher.

So she's got A11 count on her now.

This.

Tries to lay that one down right down the third base line.

Emma King is there to clean it up.

At that speed of hope, she is safe at first.

And now the Blackhawks with runners at first and second, one out.

And that was just perfectly placed there.

Nothing Emma King could do about that one.

She was in the right place when she needed to be.

It's just the speed of hope.

Conklin down that first base line.

Nothing you could do there for Emma King, just a really well executed bonds.

And now that brings up Haley Parker.

You know, speed kills and that's why they did it right there.

You nailed it right on the head.

One more.

Another bunt right there.

Picked up by Childress.

She is out at first this time, but that is going to advance her teammates to third and second.

And so Parker does her job.

Beautifully placed bunt there, but well executed by Childress to get the second out of the inning.

Very well execute because they knew that Emma King was already playing up close from her third base spot.

And now you've got those two runners in scoring position there.

And I mean, it seems like that that's pretty much especially in the first and third innings.

Now that he has had runners living in scoring position.

It's been a designated player here.

Abigail Rogers, she walked her first time at bat.

An opportunity though now to bring in her teammates a swing and a miss for strike number one.

Popping this one up, that one looks like it's going to be foul and out of play.

There.

It is a beautiful day out at the ballpark from where we're sitting.

Clear blue skies and just a few clouds in the area.

This is softball weather right here, Kyle.

Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah.

This is the time of year when it's, starting.

I mean, you know, it is early summer, so it should feel like that, but it's that time of year to where, you know, we're hoping that we can dodge rain, but when we can get any sun for this, we're very thankful.

I just knocked on some wood for years ago.

Yeah, except for yes.

Well, that's why I made.

That's why I made sure to say that out of nowhere.

Well, that's why I'm saying.

That's why I tried to make sure to say that we're trying to dodge it.

Not that we are.

Because you want to make sure how you pick your words.

There a one to count here on Rogers.

That one, a little high.

Couldn't get Rogers to chase there.

It's A22 count.

Fouls that one back again.

Rogers once again runners at third and second for the Black Hawks in scoring position.

To try to add to this four.

Nothing lead that they've got two outs though.

And bauxite looking to just get out of this inning.

Avoid the damage.

Swing and a miss.

The first strike out for the lady miners of the day.

And it comes on a M.J. Birmingham strike to Abigail Rogers to set down the inning.

The threat is over and it is still a four nothing ballgame in favor of rich bauxite up to bat once more.

As we head to the bottom of the third, you might.

This month in passport on the PBS app will 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.

Why are there goats on this town hall?

There's got to be a connection.

When did a king have dinner with imaginary friends?

Wow.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

Since 1937, the electric cooperatives of Arkansas have been providing power to homes, farms, and businesses across our state.

The cooperatives are member owned and worked together to serve Arkansans.

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas proudly support high school students and athletics in Arkansas, and hope you enjoy watching the state championship games on Arkansas.

PBS Sports.

Better connected together the electric cooperatives of Arkansas.

Welcome back.

We promised the answer to today's trivia question.

Who holds the state record for the most home runs hit in a career?

Hats off to you, Kyle.

You got it right.

How's it going, Mitchell?

You sure you didn't look at my paper?

I didn't.

I actually did that memory of yours.

Pretty impressive.

You were right.

She played at Rosebud from 2016 to 1958.

Home runs is the record set now.

Jolie Mitchell I'm trying to help the Texas Longhorns back to the College World Series.

They're in a little bit of a hole right now, but in the Clemson super regional or I guess early in the Austin Super Regional against Clemson.

I did go to an ACC school, but I am not a pro ACC conference.

So I'm not going to say who I want to win in that matchup.

But I think I just said it.

I think I know that I definitely don't have to look up the answer for that.

Reading between the lines.

Context clues.

Context clues I like it.

Here we go in the bottom of the third here box, right with Kim Smith up to bat.

And that is another strike out there for Emory Bolen.

That brings us to the top of the lineup again for both sides.

Still just one hit on the day.

Center fielder number two Zoe Hicks balls is really I mean, that's her main pitch.

And so I mean it's just really on today and on MJ I mean to give MJ credit in that last inning too.

I mean she's really got hers working as well.

So up in the zone is really working for both of these pitchers.

Zoe Hicks taking that one foul on the left field side as she got herself into a full count before striking out her first at bat.

But she came up swinging.

She knows right now the biggest thing she can do is not let Emory Bolen get ahead in the count here.

I like the aggressiveness.

Pokes that one.

Oh, foul just over the base.

But if that one would have dropped Theron into the left field corner, she could have been standing at second.

But you can tell she is got her timing down a little bit, maybe a little early there, Kyle, obviously with these two foul balls.

But she's ready for what Emory's pitching to her.

That's right.

It was right there toting the line and just couldn't push it a little bit.

It needed a little bit of a wind gust back towards the center field and couldn't get it.

Sends this one into left center field.

And what a catch there by Lexi Vigil laying out her body in left field.

A little slow to get up there.

It looks like she's trying to kind of shake that off.

But I mean I'm pretty sure she was parallel to the ground at one point in this catch.

And I'll tell you, Alyssa, that's that's something that Emory would be the first person to tell you is a big reason for her success.

Obviously, her battery made back there behind the plate, but also plays like that.

It's the kids that just lay out for balls like that and just really come up with plays like the SEC top ten, top boys.

Lexi might need some water when she gets back in the dugout, but as a former outfielder, so much props for that play.

And that's what you play out there for.

I'm not going to lie.

Plays like that that is outnumber to an incredible catch there by Vedral in left field.

Kirby Jacks now at the plate.

Fouls that one back for her second strike.

Play of the game so far.

Right there.

That.

And that is strikeout number seven for Boland.

Sits down the side after that catch by Zoe Hicks.

And right now it is all Peerage four.

Nothing over box side.

As we head to the fourth we'll be right back from Conway after this.

This month in passport on the PBS app China, the new global superpower, the country that we all want to know about today, they had to assert their rights.

If a lot of people put your mind to it, they can win.

Our goal is to make sure people don't think that our community is invisible anymore.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

UAMs is a proud supporter of Arkansas PBS sports.

UAMs health provides orthopedic and sports medicine care across Arkansas, supporting athletes and teams throughout the state.

Find out more at unmatched Health back home.

Congratulations to our four Arkansas PBS student, all star senior Heber Springs shortstop, pitcher, and Taylor Parker.

She has a 4.02 GPA, plans to attend college at the University of Arkansas Honors College, then go to nursing school.

Taylor Parker of Heber Springs are for a Arkansas PBS student all star first baseman.

Congratulations to Taylor.

Welcome back everybody.

It is a four nothing lead right now for Pea Ridge as they step into the box one more time offensively.

With a four nothing lead as I mentioned right now we've got.

Ashland short confidence is something that we keep touching on.

And that's got to be an extreme boost of confidence for MJ to get out of that inning, leaving two runners in scoring position.

So she takes that into the fourth.

Fouling this one back I've noticed this to Kyle as a softball player, I'm curious.

I'm going to find someone to ask about it.

But the way that Ashlyn Short pleads her bat with the gap between her hands, you know you're taught growing up now, she squared up to kind of draw that bunt, but.

Pops this one on to the left.

Foul territory caught there by KP jacks for out number one.

I've always been curious.

I've seen it lately.

The gap there in the hole.

We're going to get back to that.

Maybe someone will answer my question, but I'm curious.

The thought process there.

Left fielder to that one, Lexi Vigil Lexi Vigil after laying her body out for that catch in the bottom of the third, now steps into the batter's box.

Now that she's caught her breath and a little low to regroup, she's ready to barrel the ball.

Or possibly bunt.

She's done a little bit of everything today.

Hit one into left field and try to do some small ball here potentially.

But I think she.

Wants to use that speed in any way that she can.

A head coach for walk side there Maddie Rhodes.

Swing and a miss.

And now it is two balls.

One strike on vigil.

And just doing just a much better job of really locate your pitch.

You saw when she first came in.

A few were just a little bit wild.

Which again, you expect she came in probably a little bit sooner than she might expect, but on strike number two, I think you're right.

Also, two, when you've stepped into a position where your team is down for nothing and you've got runners on first and second and then no outs, it's kind of hard to just settle in and focus.

But that's her second strikeout of the day.

Oh I apologize, that one was fouled off.

Looking for her second strikeout of the day.

That one sent past Avery Green at short into left field.

And that is the second base hit for vigil on the day.

As she stands on first base.

Still one out here in the top of the fourth.

Haley Wiley now at bat and I think she still might be.

Look at the way that she's 11.

I think she's really you can tell.

Absolutely.

She's a little hurting over there after that catch.

She's gotten it out.

I tell you she is going to be able to stay in this game.

Yes you do.

And she has been quite the leadoff hitter for the Blackhawks.

It looks like now she is going to get a pinch runner.

And they might look at her, make sure she's okay.

31.1.

The pinch runner here for Peerage number six Fallon hand just a freshman Fallon step in here to run the bases for the Blackhawks.

For.

One.

More.

But again.

This one into right, right down the line.

That's a base hit for Wiley.

And now there are two on with one out for the Blackhawks.

And just doing a really good job in this game offensively.

Being able to see the ball so well at the plate and string together some basics.

That's very similar to kind of how the third began.

You know, they got they got a runner on and got another.

Of course they bunted the SAC bunted and then advanced them to second and third.

So trying to do that again or the Lady Blackhawks and also trying to add a couple of more insurance runs to it.

Zay Lee warden up to bat here again, the second baseman, she squares around to maybe draw in those corner infielders.

But not too much.

Pulls back for one.

A little high there for to.

Right down the middle.

And there's a strike.

And.

Great hit there, but caught well by Kirby Jackson.

Left trying to double up Fallon.

Hand there at second, but she's able to get back in time with the throw just over the base.

But that could have been very, very, very risky for Pea Ridge there because that would have ended the inning with a double play.

Huge there for a catch by something by KB and had to come down with that one.

And as you said, it could have been trouble there for Pierce.

She was about halfway or maybe even about three quarters of the way to third base, got the runners from advancing.

And then also for Pea Ridge.

It's a teaching moment there for Josh Reynolds when they get back into the dugout.

But here in just a freshman.

But you got to say, hey, you got to make sure they make the catch or not.

Before you take off there on second base.

Love the aggression though for sure.

I do.

And Marie Bowling now stepping in she hit that two run home run to help with this four nothing lead that peerage has in the first but then grounded out her second time at bat.

Now facing M.J. Birmingham again.

That one dropped into left center field.

Not able to get that one up.

And Emery clearing the bases there with a two run double.

She is standing up at second base and she is now giving her team a six nothing lead.

And gosh Kyle, she can do it in the circle.

She can do it at the plate as well.

Right off the wall there in left center and have our day.

Emery Boland what is it?

She seven strikeouts in the circle.

And then of course also the two run home run.

Now the two RBI double.

My word.

She is just having a monster afternoon.

It's been fun to watch so far, that is for sure.

And.

I think she will get a courtesy runner as well over there.

Looks like Ashley Gain a junior stepping into a run for her pitcher, which I'm sure she does happily.

But you're right with with Emery Ball.

And she knew what was at stake here as a a senior and her last game as a Blackhawk, wanting to bring home that first trophy to the program that is, she has done so much for and she's doing everything she can right now to make it happen.

Yeah.

It took a little bit of the wind out of the sails for bauxite just because she had something working there, you know, almost out of the inning.

If of course, you know, with the near base running blunder from Pea Ridge.

But then Emery says, okay, well, we've got two outs here.

I'm one knock a couple more in.

Will you go back to that baserunning mistake on accident line drive there to get out of the inning.

But if you make that double play and Marie Boland doesn't even come to the plate, it doesn't matter because she plates to it.

And now is a six nothing lead for Pea Ridge.

As we head to the bottom of the fourth, we'll be right back from Conway.

Stick around.

This month in passport on the PBS app, meet the groundbreaking author Amy Tan.

I am a writer and a tether to the past.

I've been graphing Asian-Americans in New York City for 50 years.

Who do you see?

Corky Lee taking pictures.

We don't quite feel at home in Korea, and we don't quite feel home here in America.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

U18s is a proud supporter of Arkansas PBS sports.

UA health provides orthopedic and sports medicine care across Arkansas.

Supporting athletes and teams throughout the state.

Find out more at unmatched health back home.

Imaging Lexie Childress and MJ Birmingham gonna start things off for bauxite here in the bottom of the fourth.

A shout out to our camera crew here.

Doing a great job of giving us all this beautiful shots and enjoyment so you can enjoy this game.

Scaffolding support for this broadcast provided by in-kind by Allegiance Scaffolding.

For more information, visit Legion scaffolding.com.

Also, big shout out to our graphics team.

You see at the very bottom right corner, the pitch count.

That's something new that they've added.

So it always seems like adding new features every single year.

Another thing to just add to what Emery Bolen has done in this game seven strikeouts, a home run, two RBI double.

And oh, by the way, she here in the bottom of the fourth is only pitched 42 pitches.

Facing off against Emma King here for the third time.

Second time.

Excuse me.

And Emma King gets a hold of that one.

Sends it into left field for a base hit to start things off for side, and hoping that her teammates can help get a rally going and get this Lady Miners team on the board.

And that's right.

And just one at a time, as we say.

And just starting off with the lead, I think that is their first leadoff runner of the game.

So really big.

Their hero Lexi Childress.

Swing and a miss by Childress there for strike one.

High there for ball one.

And have you noticed there's these, tattoos that this lady miners team has, has worn, and some of them have them on their arm, or some of them have them on their leg or.

I don't know if that's been a I've seen a out.

I've seen that throughout the postseason.

I just I don't know if that's been on all year teams, but I think even coach Maddie Roach has one.

I've noticed over these last couple of innings.

There it is.

Those flames.

Just a cool little design tattoo that this entire team is wearing.

That one high that's going to allow Emma King to get to second base.

And she almost is thrown out there on the attempt.

But she is safe.

That's where she really had to capitalize for bauxite here.

And that's what you're looking to do.

Just capitalize on anything that you can right there.

Able to keep that foot on the base to stay safe.

And now you've got a runner in scoring position with no outs for Lexi Childress.

Swing and a miss.

That's strikeout number eight for Bolen.

One out now.

And M.J. Bermingham with her tattoo sleeve, steps in to the batter's box.

I like it, don't get me one.

That was number 12 MJ Birmingham.

I think I've even heard some people would say how many home runs that they're known to hit between King and Barry.

I think I've heard some people referred to him as the Bash Sisters, and I know that she would love to send her sister home on this one.

I'm sure she would.

Or maybe just bash one herself and bring them both over the left field line or something in left field wall and make it a 6 to 2 ball game.

We'll see what she's got going on.

Fouls that one down the right side for A12 count.

Now I wonder if they put those tattoos on.

It's one big tattoo that you have to put on or if it's in sections I'm gonna find out.

I'll say this I, as long as as long as.

I guess they're those little ones that you just put the water and everything is.

I'm sure it's like that.

Yeah.

And long as there's no needles involved, that's the whole thing.

Of course, I don't think they're.

No, no, they're not real.

It's just.

It's temporary swing and a miss.

And that is another strikeout for Emery.

And.

And just when it feels like bauxite might have something going.

Emery ball in a state steady in that circle gets the strike out for outnumber 218 Avery Green who has ball just jumps.

It's.

A little bit high.

There.

The shortstop Avery Green stepping in now.

And she struck out her first time to trying to see if she can get a base hit and drive in her teammate in scoring position right now.

And.

Have some success here against Emery bowling.

Good pitch right down the middle for strike number two.

That's something else about bowling.

I've kind of noticed throughout her career there's been so many different times.

Maybe she'll give off like a leadoff single or give up a hit for two here, there.

But then she just seems to go right back, settled down.

It's that senior experience she's leaning on right now and and her talent she's leaning on right now to where she just knows that she just needs to be steady, relaxed, rely on all of those things, experience and talent and she's doing that right now.

Popped up here to the right side of the field in foul territory, but good enough there for Ashlyn short to catch.

And that is going to end the inning.

And the threat.

They leave Emma King stranded on second base and we head to the top of the fifth.

And I hear we got a special guest joining us.

What's the word on the bags?

Stick around.

This month in passport on the PBS app.

My hope is it goes from being a fatal disease to a chronic disease so you can live with menopause is the one universal female experience.

Cancer was deeply feared at this time.

It was essentially a death sentence.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

When Rock automotive supports Arkansas athletes as a sponsor of the Arkansas PBS sports broadcast of the high school state championship games with seven dealerships across the state serving little Rock, Conway, and Jonesboro.

When Rock automotive is community focused and provides vehicle sales and service across Arkansas, we're honored to be a part of these unforgettable moments celebrating Arkansas student athletes.

Win Rock automotive connecting communities through service and support.

Welcome back.

And as I mentioned and promise, before the break, we have a special guest joining us here in the booth.

We have Sandy Searcy, and Sandy is here from the NFL.

You're the director of sports.

And welcome first and foremost to Conway, Arkansas.

You've been around the entire country watching sports, watching softball.

What do you think of Arkansas so far?

I'm impressed.

Just, there are multiple things.

The umpires, their training is amazing.

The administration.

What Lance Taylor and Steve Roberts have done with the softball side of it, as well as, just, you know, every single facet of this tournament is just like clockwork.

It's machine, organized.

And, and, any kind of issue is, is, identified and taken care of before it becomes a huge issue.

So it's it's pretty amazing to watch.

We've had a lot of fun, over these last couple of days with softball, but we also got to experience something for the very first time in the replay, having the opportunity to be the first in the country to debut that it was used yesterday in the game.

How do you think it went for the first time?

Again, like clockwork.

I was with Steve as he oriented the umpires and the coaches, and he had very specific instructions and he was very organized.

In fact, I've got the the data collection sheet right here.

Part of the process of, of conducting an experiment is, being able to, gather data for our, rules committee to take a look at and see if this is a positive thing, a negative thing, something that we should, allow or, permit by state association adoption.

And that's kind of what we're looking at with us softball, with our the rules committee that I work with, but also the Baseball Rules Committee.

So this data collection is very important.

And we weren't sure that we were going to be able to see it.

So we were all very excited.

I was sitting out in the outfield just, oh my goodness, we've got we've got an appeal.

So it was very exciting.

And they collected some good information.

And again this is a three year process.

So anything out of all of these games it as far as the appeals, in data collection is, is a positive.

And so far so good.

If you weren't watching, it was in the Benton Sheridan game, last night.

They use it in that final inning.

And it was great.

And why do you think that that's an important new element to potentially add to the game?

Well, first I have to say that that Arkansas was probably one of the only states in the country who could pull this off at this time as far as the broadcast and production and, and 77 angles of, of camera and all of the organization that went on behind the scenes.

I think at this point there are very few states who could that could, carry this.

But as far as, making sure that everybody feels that the right decision was made, that's a positive.

And we certainly don't want cameras to take over the entire, seven innings.

But that's why this experiment is tailored.

It's very, finite as far as what is allowed to be appealed.

And I think that's the most important thing that we're not asking for.

Appeals, for all those, all those calls.

But it was, it was tailored to make sure it was on bases.

It was, you know, it wasn't anything, as far as judgment call or or pitches or, you know, that kind of thing.

So that's why that's important.

It can help, make certain that everybody feels as coaches, athletes, parents feel comfortable with the calls that when I was an honor to be able to be that experimental, venue for you guys.

And hopefully we're giving you guys the kind of data that you want.

We've had some really great softball so far, as you see right now.

Pea Ridge six to nothing against box side.

And hopefully you get to enjoy some more softball while your time is here.

We have a few more games left.

So I ran into the studio because I was right in front of that outfielder that made that amazing catch.

Yeah, I saw Get Up a little bit slowly, but amazing softball.

Absolutely couldn't ask for a better venue as well at UCA, I have to tell, I, I played too.

You never played on fields like this.

This beautiful turf field?

No.

They're pretty.

They got a pretty good.

They got it pretty good out there.

What's next in this process?

What's next for you as you continue to travel?

Well, we have a rules committee meeting scheduled two weeks from, today.

And, this is one of the things that we're going to talk about, but basically, we take proposals from all over the country, from state associations all over the country, as well as from committee members.

We put them on our agenda.

We give state associations an opportunity to weigh in and say whether this is a positive rule change, potential rule change or not.

And then the committee meets and we spend three days discussing not only, the proposals, but the things that are happening across the country.

We we just had a preparatory meeting about five days ago with, state administrators and rule interpreters from across the country.

And this is one of the things that they discussed.

We we also talked about, one way communication between coach and defense.

In addition to coaching catcher, coach and pitcher, you know, everything's in play here.

And we have four proposals, addressing that every, little bit of, obstruction, questions about that, some, some uniform things.

But really the communication piece, it seems to be the biggest issue, although we're not seeing it at the high school level, coach to catcher too much at this point.

So does that warrant, spreading it out or.

I'm not sure.

We'll see.

It's always a discussion to have.

And technology is advancing sports so much specifically in college, but it's really good to see it at that high school level to to advance this game on all levels and technology.

Sure.

A big part of that Sandy CRC here, the director of sports for the NFHs, thank you so much for joining us.

Really enjoy the time.

I know your time is valuable, so thanks for spending it with us.

Well, I'm sorry to be a little sweaty because I ran from that field over here.

Like I've got to make this interview.

So I'm glad that you allowed me to talk a little bit about it.

Really thrilled to be here.

And boy, you guys run a first, first class operation.

Well, thank you so much.

They make us look good.

They're the pros behind the scenes with the cameras, the set up, the whole nine yards here.

We just get to enjoy it from the broadcast booth.

So those are the real true MVP's of the entire tournament.

We thank you so much for joining us.

Thank you.

All right.

Let's get back to the game again.

Pea Ridge up right now.

Six to nothing over backside.

And I think you mentioned Lexi Vigil.

And that catch.

Is that hers up to plate.

To the plate right now Kyle.

It looks like it leaves.

So number two.

Yeah, it is Lexi.

And so again, she's still in it.

We saw a pinch runner come in for her after that first hit that she had that last inning.

But she's still battling.

And you can kind of tell she's battling through a little bit.

But two outs now two on for vigil.

Very similar position that Bermingham has been.

And once again I think this is the third consecutive she got the three up, three down in the second inning.

And ever since then, the Ridge has been able to get a couple of runners on.

We've talked about this throughout this game, but just finding so much offensive success and vigil they're sending it line drive to short and easy catch there for Avery Green.

That ends the inning.

And no damage done for Pea Ridge Bauxite.

Still though, looking for their first run of the game and it's starting to get down to the wire there.

Maddie Rhodes giving her team a pep talk as they get ready to get at bat next.

After the break, we head to the bottom of the fifth.

This month in passport on the PBS app.

My hope is it goes from being a fatal disease to a chronic disease that you can live with.

Menopause is the one universal female experience.

Cancer was deeply feared at this time.

It was essentially a death sentence.

These and other shows from Arkansas PBS are available with passport on the PBS app.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by Centennial Bank, supports communities across Arkansas, and is a proud supporter of the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS sports, providing financial services since 1999.

Member FDIC.

More at my 100 banks.

Com.

And.

Look at some of the highlights from the game so far.

Ridge up six to nothing here as we are in the fifth inning.

Just looking at the recaps and re Bolen dealing in the circle.

And also two.

This is her two out.

Yeah.

There it is.

Right there are two out two RBI double.

Of course she has been a major part of four of the runs scored here with a two run home run.

And that two run that two RBI double that she had in the fourth inning.

Alyssa a really impressive day for Emory Boland as she steps back into the circle here in the bottom of the fifth.

She's got nine strikeouts in just 57 pitches today.

In her four innings of work so far.

She gets ready to step in and face London Cunningham.

That one popped up into foul territory but caught by Ashlyn.

Short for out number one.

Out right there.

Still early low pitch count.

Very low pitch count.

And again box side.

Just trying to get something going here.

You mentioned that hit that Emma King had the last inning was the first leadoff hit that they had.

This one by Alicia Garner popped up into center field.

Easy catch for Haley Wiley out there.

And that's a quick one two.

Number 32 Kim Smith.

Second baseman Kim Smith.

Now up to bat.

And.

Box Knights running out of opportunities.

Kyle.

Yeah, that's one we we've touched on chipping away and all this.

And that's what you still have to do here is they're looking at two outs on a one count but definitely got to start pushing some across.

They've had a couple in scoring position.

Just have not been able to scratch any across swing and a miss there by Kim.

And another thing too we we talked about this in other games.

And when you look at how Emory bowling has had so much success, it also on the other side, this is just the second time that Kim Smith has faced her.

So it's really hard to get any kind of timing or rhythm down against a pitcher that you're not seeing very frequently in the game.

And here we are in the bottom of the fifth turn.

The lineup bases went, went through, at least went through the entire lineup.

Did the periods they batted around there to start off.

And so they've had a little bit more opportunity, of course, to, you know, really got on the stone right on there early.

And then since then they've had plenty of chances to see Birmingham.

And it has not been the case for the other side.

Still one to count for Smith who's looking to try to get a two out rally going.

That one sails on Bolen.

But no damage done there.

No one on the basepaths.

Two, two.

On this one.

Fouled into the stands behind the stands.

More accurately.

Sure someone's going to run that down.

You know, Sandy mentioned.

Why Arkansas was able to do what they did.

And we'll talk more about it here in the six as that is another strikeout for Bolen.

And peerage still on top right now.

Six to nothing.

And we've got two more innings to play here before we crown a for a state champion.

Stick with us.

We will be right back.

Shock Stadium.

For more than 50 years, Arkansas PBS has been a trusted resource and our high quality programs are seen by viewers in every corner of our state, making on air sponsorship a solid investment.

Aligning your business with Arkansas PBS offers a powerful blend of community engagement, corporate philanthropy, and cause marketing, and our viewers remember and appreciate businesses that support our programs.

Contact us today for more information on sponsorship opportunities.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by Summer Woods Sports Complex in Bryant features four courts across two gyms located off Interstate 30, offering space for tournaments, practices and training.

Proud to support the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS.

More at Summer woods Sports.com.

And.

Get your free live action photos from the game at my eight or PBS.org.

Backslash photos.

These are great championship keep scapes.

Keep safe skates.

Keep skates.

Why can I not say that?

There are some words, Kyle, that I just can't say.

These are great memorabilia from the game.

There you go.

That you can cherish and look at as much as you want to.

Visit my r PBS.org.

Backslash photos.

Here we are in the top of the sixth as MJ Birmingham gets ready to face the top of the order.

Here are my apologies.

The second batter in the lineup here for P Ridge in Haley Wiley, the center fielder.

That one popped up there to London coming home.

An easy catch for her at first and an easy out.

Number one for the Blackhawks.

And that's what they want.

You said it a few innings ago.

See if they can get themselves a quick one, two, three inning and get back and see if they can try to put together a rally.

Kyle.

That's right.

And these corner infielders have been there between Emma King and also London Cunningham.

They've both been real busy.

But I've recorded a lot of outs they have.

This is easily warden now up to bat.

And since that one fouled on the left field line.

She pops this one up.

It looks like this one is a easy catch there for Kim Smith at second base.

And that is the second out of the inning.

And Murray Boland coming up to bat.

And we have talked so much about her.

And it's hard not to with the kind of day that she has had.

And they know exactly what to expect here from the senior pitcher.

And so you could kind of see the backside outfielders backing up a little bit.

They're not going to let anything sail over their heads.

And just one of her, one of them went over the wall.

And another hit one just off the glove of Avery Greene into center field.

And that is a base hit.

And that is just indicative of the day that Emory Bolen is having.

It doesn't matter.

She is able to find success inside the circle at the plate and the irony, Kyle, right now of the stadium playing unstoppable.

That's exactly what Emory Bowling has seemed to be today.

Yeah, they're they're on it in the press box.

They're now three for four on the day for RBI catcher Terry McKenzie.

Oh, and can't forget the ten strikeouts in the circle.

Just allowed two hits only and walked one.

McKenzie Whalen now at the plate and she sends this one over KB Jackson's head in left field.

Emory bowling is going to stop at third.

That's a standing double for McKenzie Whalen.

And just like that again with two outs it's just finding that success continue offensively.

And they've got two runners in scoring position.

And let's see if M.J. for four.

And this is about seems like the accident seem like it is the third inning in a row that she's either had runners on first and second or two in scoring position on second and third, and really, other than that two RBI double from Bolen in the fourth, she's gotten out of it.

So let's see if she can escape this one.

It's hope conquers opportunity now to see if she can bring in her teammates and extend this lead for Pea Ridge.

As we get closer and closer to the end of this game, just trying to separate themselves and.

Come home with a title.

Their first for the program.

Looks at ball one.

They're got A11 count now.

I tell you, though, it's kind of going back to bowling here that she's not going to have a whole lot of adjustment playing on this field when she gets to college.

Having played on it, what, three times already in a state championship and really closing out the final game of her high school career on an extremely high note, she is and this one popped up too short.

An easy catch for Avery Green to end the inning.

No more damage done, but the Blackhawks now have six outs to use before this one is over, trying to see if they can get something going offensively, and Mary Boland trying to see if she can close things out for her team.

We'll be right back with the bottom of the sixth from Conway after this.

Stick around.

It's prime time on your time.

Get more of your primetime favorites each weekday starting at 130.

Following our PBS kids programs.

Catch up on all the programs you love, including exploring Arkansas, nature, Antiques Roadshow, Arkansas Week, British Favorites, mysteries, and more.

Beginning at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

See the full schedule and all the ways to watch at my Arkansas PBS Dawgs.

Watch.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by Everett Buick.

GMC provides vehicles to Arkansas families and supports local organizations.

Community involvement has been part of our story for generations.

Proud to support the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS sports.

More at Everett GMC Yukon.

Get all the latest information from Arkansas PBS.

All you have to do is visit my AA or PBS.org.

Backslash sign up there.

You can get all the information you want and updates.

And specifically for big sports fan are PBS sports is where it's at and happy to be able to carry these high school state championships.

For all of you guys to watch at home.

It's been a privilege as we now enter the bottom of the sixth box right here a great catch.

Oh what a catch there by Haley Parker at third base which I thought that was a great hit by Zoe Hicks.

Really great presence of mind right there.

That was a laser right tour towards the first out.

50 strikes on 66 pitches from ball.

So impressive.

KV Jax at the plate now.

And that's just something for Zoe Hicks.

She make great contact line drive right down the line.

I mean if that got passed Parker that was probably going into the corner.

And you're looking at a double.

But Parker able to just quickly snag that out of the air.

You think about plays like that.

You think about one that we had left field earlier.

It's just you think when when you get something to hit from ball and it hasn't been very often you've had just great plays in the field from the defense.

Exactly.

This one popped up foul.

You got to.

Say.

Put it in play there to shortstop.

Conklin to short for outnumber two.

And.

Peerage.

All smiles there as they give that ball back to their pitcher and high five.

Emory ball.

And knowing that they're getting close Kyle Berry they're start of course they know being in the position that they were not to get too far ahead here but going into the bottom the seventh last year.

They know that this is not over until the final out.

Emma King gets a hold of that one.

Just goes foul into the left field corner.

But she was ready for that one the minute it came out of Boleyn's hand.

And.

Again King just doing anything she can to help out her team today.

She understands the platform that she has to help lead this team.

That's a sign that she's ready for anything.

She is ready to pitch out her right now with these two foul balls down the left field line.

And they are well hit line drives right past those trees back behind the the berm there.

Walk a little bit further and you'll run into the business building for UCA.

And that's where she is trying to land one right on top of that roof.

That one fouled back and caught by McKenzie Whalen behind.

And that is out number three for Pea Ridge A123 inning for the Blackhawks.

They will come up to bat for the final time today on this for a state title game.

As we head to the top of the seventh.

Join the ranks of corporate sponsors and business partners and Arkansas PBS.

Your support will shine a light on your business with recognition on air and at major community events like Family Day.

Plus, our viewers love the businesses that underwrite their favorite programs.

Showcase your company while making a meaningful impact on lifelong learning.

Partner with Arkansas PBS to build a brighter future for our state.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by.

For over 70 years, Farm Bureau Insurance has offered coverage for automobiles, homes, farms, and lives across Arkansas.

Proud to support the Arkansas Activities Association.

More at AFB KGW.com.

And.

Arkansas PBS is the home for high school sports.

If you love seeing these high school sports championships live and also on demand, please consider making a gift to Arkansas PBS today.

You want that information just here on the screen, we'll show you exactly how you can donate to Arkansas PBS for this donation.

So appreciate it so that we can bring you coverage like we're doing today, Kyle, in all of these state championship games.

Yeah that's right.

Love love the folks at Arkansas PBS.

Long before I was able to work for them.

And I watched a lot of the programs too as a kid.

So enjoyed sports and all their great programs.

So here we are, bottom, top of the seventh.

Excuse me.

And Haley Parker up to bat for P Ridge.

They've got a nice six nothing lead right now as they're looking for their first state title.

But this game is far from over.

A11 count I say it's far from over because as you mentioned, they were right here in this situation a season ago against Farmington down six.

Nothing in the seventh.

That one's going to drop for a base hit in shallow left center.

Really had a knack for just hitting them in the right spots there and all the gaps.

So at the very beginning of the game, got off to that hot start and just continued that trend.

They're not they're not really laying back right now with this six nothing lead because like I said you know nothing is.

So they know exactly what this situation looked like for them a season ago with an opportunity to come back and win that game against Farmington, eventually falling 6 to 5.

So you can't get comfortable at all in this game.

Well, that's just going back to the whole confidence thing.

That's as many runners because that's that's the whole deal.

Two that I was pointing out to Alissa was P Ridge has left nine on base.

And so you know if you're if you're Birmingham yeah they're getting one on here maybe even two.

But she's been able to get out of it.

It's just they've not been able to get any consistent offense had.

Then Abigail Rogers lays down that bunt there and picked up cleanly by Emma King for the out for the first out of the inning.

Now you've got Hailey Parker standing at second base.

One out with Ashlyn Short coming to the plate.

And on it.

Behind Ashlyn short came pretty much for this whole entire game.

And they just continued to play small ball.

And she's almost right up there in the batter's box.

I think that has a lot to do with just her senior experience.

They're playing third, and as you watch from where we're seeing I know you can't see it right now on the screen, but she quickly is moving right there down that third base line, able to adjust quickly to what she thinks the batter is going to do.

And that's why she's been right there to gobble up some of those bombs that have come right down that third base line.

It's A21 count now on Ashlyn Short with one out and a runner in scoring position for the Blackhawks.

Tries to lay that one down, but it goes foul.

And the King was ready for two.

Yeah, she's been real busy.

I mentioned it in the previous inning.

Both of these corner infielders have had a very busy day.

Three slaps.

That one just fell down the left field line.

Continuing to battle in the box is Ashland.

Sure, she's got A22 count on her now.

It.

She's trying.

She continues to get it a little further and further down that left field line, trying to pop it over Emma King's head.

Coach Reynolds now in the third base box there.

I think he's going to try to stand back a little bit.

Make sure nothing gets too close to him.

Yeah.

He's got a little heads up down there.

She can she keeps doing it.

She's just trying to poke it there into shallow left field.

Battling here for the Blackhawks in the top of the seventh.

And you're right, we might cut over and see Coach Reynolds in that box side dugout if he's not careful.

Yeah.

That is coming up.

Here are some of the stats today for MJ Birmingham who came into this game in the first inning.

That one bounces off Avery Green at short and after that battle at the plate she is safe.

Ashlyn short with a base hit.

Standing at first.

And now there are runners on the corners for the top of the lineup and Lexi Vigil coming back up, but I mentioned the stats today for MJ.

Birmingham 112 pitches today facing 32 batters, striking out just one of them Kyle.

But she has battled in the circle and I don't think you could ask for more for her today.

That's right.

You know they've boxed has gotten their hits and they're doing what they do.

They've got 13 on the day, but also has gotten a lot of soft contact.

And it and well that was a line drive to Avery Green and a heads up play because it just caught Ashlyn short off guard a little bit able to double her up at first and that ends the inning.

So here we go.

The bottom of the sixth.

It is a six nothing lead.

And bauxite is going to have to find something.

Dig down deep and see if they can rally here in the bottom with their final three outs of this for a state title game.

One, two three.

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 take your.

High.

I'm quite overwhelmed.

That's a joy to be in this world.

It's the.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by Centennial Bank, supports communities across Arkansas, and is a proud supporter of the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS sports, providing financial services since 1999.

Member FDIC.

More at my 100 banks.

Com.

It is the final opportunity for the Bauxite Lady miners to see if they can do anything here in the bottom of the seventh and make themselves a comeback win over Pea Ridge with a six nothing lead right now.

Three outs to work with Emma Ball.

Emery.

Emery ball in in the circle for Pea Ridge.

And this one we'll see I have I have a feeling Kyle, that it's going to be a little.

Maybe an interesting bottom of the seventh.

You just you always just gives that set.

Well, and one thing I always and I've talked about this many times like I throughout the years, I'm not a big fan of looking at history and thinking like, okay, this is what's going to happen, right?

But at the same time, too, it also teaches you some things that to never think that anything is over until it actually is over.

And if I'm Coach Reynolds, I'm telling my guys, go on that break there before Emery and the defense came back out, simply finish.

And obviously if you're bauxite, you've really got I mean, you have to get something going right here or it's over.

Because that bridge was proved last year that you can make a comeback even in this big of a deficit.

Lexi Childress here hoping that she can be the start of a rally for her team, A21 count ahead in the count against Emery Bolen.

And right now for Emery two, we talked about M.J. Birmingham's pitch count.

Just 74 pitches for Emery in the circle today and 11 strikeouts.

That one sent high and deep into left field.

But foul and an easy catch there for Lexi vigil for out number one.

It's good to see vigil back in the game for Sadler.

She made that incredible catch batted soon after and had to come out in favor of a pinch runner just to kind of regroup herself.

But good to go and glad to see her finish this one out.

I am too, and she probably just tweaked something a little bit, land her body out like that.

But you knew it was going to take a lot more to get her out of this game.

That's right.

And I'm sure she's going to have a sore rib or two in the morning if they're not already.

But she's got a gold trophy there to look at.

I think it's going to be all right if she does.

I think you're absolutely right.

M.J. Birmingham up to bat now.

We'll just.

Ball too.

So A20 count.

Sends this one off the glove of Haley Parker at third.

A line drive.

Well, hit ball, and MJ is standing at first one pitch at a time.

And that's.

That's all you can do right now.

And that one on with one out.

They're going to send in a pinch runner there for Birmingham.

Gets a high five from her teammates.

She did her job to see if she can get something going.

And went back to those tattoos.

I just now notice Coach Rhodes has got the she's got the I was saying everyone's I saw notice that she had one on the arm earlier.

I didn't realize she had one like the full sleeve on the leg two.

So Avery green up to bat with one on one out swings at that first strike down the middle that is under 18.

Avery Green.

This one popped up and McKenzie Whalen able to make the catch for Pea Ridge.

That is the second out of the inning.

And right now Pea Ridge one out away from their very first state title.

We talked about how they were here last year.

Tried to have a rally in the bottom of the seventh and came up short.

They were also here in 2023 and 2021, but Martin, one more out away from bringing back some hardware to peerage.

London Cunningham trying to see if she can extend this game just a little bit longer, gets hit by that pitch.

And now there are two on two out for Alicia Garner.

They'll take any free passes.

2 to 3 Alyssa Garner.

Garner struck out and popped up in her two at bats against Boland today.

Watches that ball low and inside.

Swing and a miss.

Now one more count.

She goes back to that rise.

Ball.

Hard to lay off.

So now one strike away is Emery bowling in this peerage team from their very first state championship.

And that is going to do it.

How fitting.

Emery Boland having that final strikeout to end this game as she gets a hug from her catcher.

McKenzie Whalen.

She is the envy of this game for what she was able to accomplish inside the circle and at the plate.

But most importantly, her and her teammates are going back to peerage as state champions.

Congratulations to the Black Hawks, their first state championship for the softball program.

Well fought battle here a six nothing win.

And we'll be right back after this for the trophy ceremony.

If you don't be.

From the lessons that shape our children's futures to the stories that unite our communities, the impact of Arkansas PBS is undeniable.

We give a voice to local news, art, history, and culture.

Now more than ever, we need your help to keep this voice strong.

Please help us to keep good going by making a gift of any amount.

To show your support for Arkansas PBS, visit my AARP PBS.org slash.

Keep good going.

Thank you.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by Summer Woods Sports Complex in Bryant, features four courts across two gyms located off Interstate 30, offering space for tournaments, practices and training.

Proud to support the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS.

More at Summer woods Sports.com.

I love it.

We're on the precipice of a great discovery.

I love it!

Whoa, whoa, Nelly!

Let's set this palace on fire.

That.

Welcome to the NewsHour.

What does it mean politically?

Oh, fasten your seatbelts.

I love it.

I love it.

I should hear it.

You make a good team.

This broadcast is underwritten in part by Everett Buick.

GMC provides vehicles to Arkansas families and supports local organizations.

Community involvement has been part of our story for generations.

Proud to support the Arkansas Activities Association and Arkansas PBS sports.

More at Everett BGM KGW.com.

Want to see even more Arkansas stories?

Subscribe to Arkansas PBS on YouTube for original productions extras from your favorite local programs behind the scenes videos, and our exclusive coverage of high school sports, all available on demand and all Arkansas made.

Don't miss out on more great Arkansas stories!

Subscribe now!

This broadcast is underwritten in part by.

For over 70 years, Farm Bureau Insurance has offered coverage for automobiles, homes, farms, and lives across Arkansas.

Proud to support the Arkansas Activities Association.

More at AFB, Icom.

And.

A 25 and 11 season.

Something to hang your hat on for the Lady Miners.

They're the runners up in this for a state title game, but still a great for a mechanic.

The rest of that team and such a performance from NJ Birmingham.

There in the circle she holds that runner up trophy.

But the celebration on the other side of the field, the P Ridge Black Hawks their first state title a big time.

Congratulations to them.

And Kyle you know a lot had to do with what Emery Bolen was able to do in the circle.

But her offense around her as well.

She had a home run.

She had some doubles and RBI, but one through nine offensively they were able to get things done.

That's exactly right.

And I think the first thing that I noticed was just the fact that as soon as she got that last strikeout, if there's any kid in the state that could just jump up and down and it like it hits her for all the times that they came up short, but she was just calm as she always is, and her teammates all surrounded her because they knew how big she was to this championship.

So really big statement there by the Blackhawks.

You're seeing Emery King right there.

Excuse me.

Emery Bolen right there in the circle with the strikeout.

She had 11 on the day.

She also did it with her bat.

This right here is her two run RBI.

She also had a two run home run to help get those six runs on the board for the Blackhawks.

And here in the fifth inning, just hit after hit after hit.

And this is what we talked about offensively.

They just came to play today.

It was almost like they were seeing the softball like a beach ball.

The way they were able to make contact and have those hits land where they wanted to.

And that is the final out and strikeout fashion for Pea Ridge.

And they're going home champions.

They're excited about that piece of hardware they have there to, to carry.

And of course, if you want to rejoice in their championship as well, the official championship apparel and memorabilia for the season are available at Arkansas High School sports.com.

Again, that's Arkansas high school sports.com.

To celebrate with any kind of championship apparel and memorabilia you would like for this four eight state title game for Peerage.

It has been a pleasure to be able to call this one alongside Kyle Sutherland.

Thanks so much for joining me, buddy.

Absolutely.

It was a lot of fun.

It was a lot of fun for sure.

We got much more fun coming up for you later on this afternoon.

The for a state baseball finals between Brooklyn and Harding Academy is on deck.

That is next.

So take a break.

You know, go get yourself a snack and settle back in for some more baseball action as we continue to crown champions here in Conway.