FARMINGTON -- Prairie Grove started last week without Brandy Carte, but the first-year head coach was back Friday as the Lady Tigers competed at the Farmington Invitational Softball Tournament.
Carte gave a nod to assistant coach Katie Chavis, who filled in for a 4-game stretch dating back to wins over Gentry (10-8) on March 8 and Huntsville (11-0) March 9.
"She did good to step in and take the reins while I was out," Carte said. "The girls know they can depend on her. It's nice to have her there."
Kitty Wampus Inning
Conway jumped all over Prairie Grove with 8 runs in the Wampus Cats' opening at-bat which was more than enough in Conway's 11-5 victory over the Lady Tigers on Friday.
The Lady Tigers' troubles began when Conway's leadoff batter was hit by an 0-2 pitch. Megan Solberg doubled to move the runner to third and a run scored on a passed ball. A 3-run homer compounded the situation off the bat of Conway sophomore Addison Jordan which extended the Wampus Cats' lead to 6-0. In her second at-bat of the inning Solberg singled to drive in a run, then Saige Teague did the same and Conway led 8-0.
Prairie Grove Rally
Prairie Grove could have been tempted to cash in their chips looking at the deficit against the 6-2 Wampus Cats competitors in 7A, Arkansas' largest classification, but the Lady Tigers had other ideas.
In the ninth pitch of a quality at-bat, Prairie Grove senior Katharine McConnell drove a single into the outfield, which she turned into a double off a misplay. Two batters later, Kylie Scott's triple plated McConnell. Delaney Boyd brought Scott home with a single into right field.
Madie Stearman hit into a fielder's choice, but the Wampus Cats couldn't make a play at second. Jordan Strong replaced Madie Stearman as a courtesy runner at first and went to second as Boyd was tagged out at third. Freshman Kelsey Pickett singled to load the bases for the Lady Tigers. Madi Vinson cleared the bases with a blast but was tagged out trying for third to end the inning with Prairie Grove trailing, 8-5.
"The girls did a good job keeping their heads in it," Carte said. "They have been working hard. They did a really good job of hitting the ball today."
Conway Pulls Away
Conway steadily pulled away with one run in the second and two more in the third. In the timed game, Prairie Grove came up short although the Lady Tigers threatened in the bottom of the third. Boyd calmly took a 3-2 pitch to earn a leadoff walk. After an out, Liberty Kidd stroked a single into the hole between second and shortstop to put two runners on. Conway starter Allie St. John ended the game with a strike-out and a flyball that was caught in deep center field.
The Lady Tigers were eliminated from the tournament with a loss to Gravette Saturday morning.
Sports on 03/21/2018