FARMINGTON -- Crowder College, of Neosho, Mo., has tapped into a consistent pool of emerging talent from northwest Arkansas with good results.
Crowder coach John Sisemore says the Arkansas connection is helping take Crowder softball to become the best in the country.
"Crowder softball now leads the nation in almost every offensive stat there is," John Sisemore said, proclaiming, "The Riders (are the ) best hitting team in the nation."
As of April 12, Crowder's record stood at 40-6 with 12 regular season games left, including 8 conference games. Regional tournament play for the Lady Roughriders will begin April 27 or 28.
"Crowder softball is breaking records and leading the nation," John Sisemore said. "Several players and team are the best in the nation."
Currently Crowder is No. 1 in runs, 457; No. 1 in hits, 573; No. 1 in doubles, 136; No. 1 in triples, 28; No. 1 in RBIs, 405; No. 1 in extra-base hits, 196; No. 1 in total bases, 861; and No. 1 in batting average, .421. The Roughriders are also No. 2 in on-base percentage, at .483; No. 4 in stolen bases, 137; and No. 7 in slugging percentage, at .632.
John Sisemore notes, "Several Arkansas kids are leading the way."
Among them are his daughter, Oakley Sisemore, from Farmington, a sophomore transfer from the University of Arkansas. Oakley Sisemore played her freshman season at Arkansas, and, after a coaching change and an injury, decided to sit out a year from softball. She transferred to Crowder for the 2016 -17 season to help polish her skills before moving back to NCAA softball.
"Oakley has several great offers on the table and will be making her final commitment after Crowder season ends," John Sisemore said, noting Oakley is among the top players in the nation in several categories.
Oakley Sisemore is No. 2 in runs scored, 66; No. 4 in hits, 84; No. 4 in triples, 7; No. 4 in stolen bases, 49; No. 12 in batting average, .503; No. 22 in on-base percentage, .546; and No. 29 in total bases, 108.
"She (Oakley Sisemore) is also breaking several school records in all the same categories," John Sisemore said.
Another former Lady Cardinal, Bethany Doty, a sophomore two-year starting shortstop from Farmington is also making an impact. According to Sisemore, Doty has committed to University of North Carolina at Charlotte for 2017-2018.
"Bethany has been our two-year starting shortstop and leader on the team," John Sisemore said. "She has been battling injury but returning to help lead the team into region play."
Other Arkansas players on the Crowder roster include: sophomore Paige Mendoza, from Fort Smith Southside, who has committed to Arkansas Tech for the 2017-18 season.
Mendoza is among national in several categories, including No. 2 doubles, 23; No. 4 batting average, .538; No. 7 on-base percentage, .595; No. 8 hits, 77; No. 9 runs, 58; No. 12 RBIs, 58; and No. 23 total bases, 112.
Sisemore has two players from traditional Arkansas high school powerhouse, Mena, on his roster; sophomore Bailey Bunch, who has committed to play at Arkansas Tech for 2017-18; and freshman Kenzi Spurgin. Bunch is among national leaders as No. 5 triples, 7; No. 12 hits, 70; No. 18 RBIs, 55; No. 24 sacrifice hits, 9; No. 29 stolen bases, 29; and No. 33 runs, 50.
Spurgin is No. 5 in doubles with 21, and No. 38 in RBIs with 49.
Freshman outfielder Daryan Torix is No. 58 in triples with 3.
Kristen Dempsey, of Harmony Grove, transferred to Crowder from Harding University; and is doing well.
"Kristen has committed to Arkansas Tech University for 2017-2018, John Sisemore said. "Kristen is a pitcher and great hitter. She leads the team in home runs with eight and she leads the country with nine saves."
Sisemore also praised Maddie Massanelli, a freshman pitcher from Rogers, who is ranked high in pitching categories, at No. 3 in saves and No. 26 in ERA, at 1.75.
"She also leads the team with the best batting average, of .591," John Sisemore said.
Another former 4A-1 Conference player, Emma Hill, a freshman left-handed pitcher from Berryville, is ranked No. 21 in wins with 16; No. 21 in starts with 22; and No. 36 in shut-outs with three.
"This is just a small overview of what Arkansas kids are doing at the next level at Crowder college," John Sisemore said, noting he is anticipating more Arkansas kids contributing to the program, who have committed or made a verbal agreement to Crowder.
Seniors from the Class of 2017 feature a showcase of talent such as: Maddy Prough, pitcher from Bentonville; A.J. Downey, of Bentonville; Kristen Wade, an infielder from Vilonia; and Aryn Scoggins, an infielder from Springdale.
Juniors from the Class of 2018 include: Bauxite pitcher Bailey Buffington, and her teammate, Shelby-Lynn Shavers, also from Bauxite.
Sports on 04/19/2017