FARMINGTON -- Sophomore Siana Sisemore made contact with two outs and runners at the corners and Vilonia couldn't make a play, allowing the go-ahead run to score on an error.
Nursing a 5-4 lead into the sixth inning, Farmington added 5 runs to build a cushion en route to a 10-4 victory over Vilonia in the 5A West Conference semifinals Tuesday, May 1.
Farmington coach Randy Osnes and assistant coach Steve Morgan celebrated the win, which gave Farmington a coveted title shot at hosting the 5A West Conference tournament championship Friday against Morrilton, which upset Greenbrier 7-5 in the other semifinal.
"That's huge, we haven't had an opportunity to play for a first-place 5A game yet," Osnes said. "We've always been playing for third place."
Vilonia beat Farmington 3-1 in last year's semifinal, dishing out a heartbreaker by scoring 3 runs in the top of the sixth to spoil a 1-0 Lady Cardinal lead.
"It was big to get into that final," Morgan said, emphasizing as did Osnes the value of securing a No. 1 or No. 2 seed.
Osnes said the pitching of senior Paige Devecsery (4 runs, 9 hits, 1 base-on-balls, 3 strike-outs) keyed the win.
"Paige Devecsery pitched an outstanding game for seven innings," Osnes said. "We attacked their hitters. She did what we asked her to do."
After giving up 3 runs in the top of the third, Farmington's defense came together in the latter stages of the game as they blanked Vilonia over the final four innings.
Vilonia had a fly out and an infield single to start the fourth. Catcher Alyssa Reed stepped up and threw out a runner stealing second. The Eagles got back-to-back singles from senior shortstop Callie Eary and senior second baseman Sydney Johnson, who did Farmington in with a 2-run double in 2017. Not so this year. Up next was Vilonia senior catcher Talyn Lawrence whose pop-up to first was juggled, then caught to end the threat.
Julie Johnson led off the fifth with a walk to put a runner on for Vilonia. Paige Anderson caught a line-drive at third and nearly turned a double play, but her quick throw to first was dropped allowing Gracie Kimbrell to get on base. The Eagles continued to live dangerously and the next batter wasn't so lucky. When senior outfielder Faith Johnson's line drive was caught at second base with Kimbrell off base and thrown out at first, Vilonia coach Kevin Sullivan voiced his displeasure.
"That's twice in one at-bat," Sullivan said. "You get away with it once. It doesn't make any sense to do it again."
In the bottom of the sixth, Farmington's Eliana Marano reached on an error and Carley Antwine doubled off the center field wall. Osnes praised the bat of Antwine.
"Carley Antwine is doing a great job at the top-of-the-lineup hitting frozen ropes into the outfield," Osnes said. "She's getting stronger day by day."
Kimbrell then recorded a strike-out, but Camryn Journagan's sacrifice fly added an insurance run. Madison Parrish padded the lead by doubling into right field and Farmington led 7-4.
Sullivan elected to intentionally walk Reed (3-for-3, double), but the gamble backfired when Anderson stroked a fly ball deep that landed in center field. Later Anderson made a leaping catch to snag a line-drive at third to record the second out of Vilonia's last at-bat in the seventh.
"She made two plays like that yesterday (against Maumelle)," Osnes said. "We told her she's doing a great job of reaching tall. What is she, all of 5-2? She had a big hit that punched across a couple of runs in the sixth that gave us a cushion."
According to Osnes the entire team contributed to the semifinal success, which has him and Morgan excited about state tournament prospects.
"The amount of enthusiasm throughout the game was outstanding," Osnes said. "From Coach Morgan to our managers to Kelby Osborn, who is volunteering, to our whole dugout, they've all done a great job. We're just hoping to continue it for the next couple of weeks."
Sports on 05/09/2018