CLASS 3A STATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT : Elkins cruises in first round win at state
Posted on Saturday, May 10, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Sports/65056/
PINE BLUFF — Elkins made sure everyone competing in the Class 3 A State Tournament at Regional Park knew it was the defending state champion. Its first victim was the Corning Lady Bobcats, who fell 9-1.
The Lady Elks looked a bit edgy at first but took control after a shaky top of the first inning.
“ We were a little hesitant, ” said head coach Paula Wheeler, “ but we got settled in. ”
Corning did their damage with their first batter and did what no one could do in the postseason tournaments this year — score a run against the Lady Elks. A leadoff triple by Corning’s Felicia Woodard put the Lady Bobcats in the driver’s seat early. Lindsey George grounded out to give Corning a fast 1-0 lead and raise a few eyebrows in the stands.
“ I give it all to that hitter (Woodard ), ” Wheeler said. “ She got another one later, so she gets all the credit. ”
That lead didn’t last long.
Elkins got an RBI double from Carly Powers, driving in Hannah Powers, who had laid down a one-out bunt single. Carly Powers trotted home on an infield single by Amber Caywood, giving the Lady Elks a lead they would not relinquish.
Caywood was also her dominating self from the circle, striking out 10 Lady Bobcats in her wake.
Three more runs in the third with the help of a pair of Corning errors and a leadoff walk from Hannah Powers put Elkins at a comfortable distance from their Clay County opponents.
A four-run fourth pushed Elkins far out in front. Hannah Powers continued her torrid run-producing pace with another two-RBI double.
“ I’m just glad the wind was blowing, ” Wheeler said, thinking that hot weather may have had an effect on her team without a cool midday wind.
“ Even if it was hot, we would have to buck up and play, ” Wheeler said.
Elkins will play Horatio in the second round today. The Lady Lions defeated Benton Harmony Grove, 6-1, in the first round Friday.