FARMINGTON -- Farmington clobbered U.S. 62 rival, Prairie Grove, 12-0, in a five-inning softball game on April 21. After scoring 7 runs in the first inning, Farmington never looked back in handing the Lady Tigers a loss. After the game, Farmington head coach Randy Osnes empathized with the plight of a Prairie Grove team with a roster made up mostly of underclassmen.
"I think they've only got two seniors. We've been in that situation before," Osnes said, adding, "At no time did I ever feel like they ever gave up. That's a testament to [Prairie Grove] Coach [Dustin] Beck."
Like a good neighbor Farmington loaned their softball field enabling Prairie Grove to host a 4A-1 Conference game against Gentry at Lady Cardinal Park on April 15 and Osnes candidly admitted his relationship with Beck was a big factor in agreeing to the request.
"I wouldn't have done that for just anybody, if I didn't think they were trying to get better with their program," Osnes said. "When you go over there [to Prairie Grove], the facilities are looking great and being taken care of. No doubt, I have great respect for Coach Beck."
When Beck first arrived at Prairie Grove, coming from Oklahoma, he called Osnes and the two spent a couple of hours riding around in a golf cart discussing 4A-1 softball.
"He just wanted to know about this conference and the teams and that was even before he was [officially] hired. The school board hadn't approved his hiring yet but he got in here from day one. We had a great talk and that spoke volumes to me. He's somebody not just drawing a check, he 's out there working."
Prairie Grove won the game, 8-4 and Beck expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to play on the Lady Cardinal diamond.
"They [Farmington] had a tarp and Coach Osnes was nice enough to let us come over there and play," Beck said. "They [Farmington] practiced on it and then they let us play on it. It was courteous of them to allow us to get that game in."
Farmington athletic director Brad Blew noted last season Lincoln hosted a 4A North Regional baseball game on Farmington's field and acknowledged dealing with the weather can be a challenge when trying to keep up with outdoor sporting events in the spring.
"Sometimes it gets tough in baseball and softball this time of year with the rainouts. This was a good way to help a neighbor that really needed help getting caught up," Blew said. "Everybody's under the gun trying to get their games in. I think it's just common courtesy. Some day we may be playing on Prairie Grove's field."
Gentry coach Lance Nation didn't think it was odd playing on a neutral field.
"Being a conference game, you've got to do everything to get these games in," Nation said. "I'm just thankful Farmington was gracious enough to let us use their field. I think any team would be glad to play on a field like Farmington's got."
Sports on 07/01/2015