FARMINGTON -- Monday the Arkansas Activities Association announced a second change of venue for the 2018 state finals in softball, following an announcement Sunday night.
"The Triple A announced Plan-B was UCA, that has since changed as of Monday morning," said Farmington assistant softball coach Steve Morgan.
The Lady Cardinals advanced through the State 5A softball tournament at Harrison this past weekend earning a berth in the state championship. They will play Greenbrier for the state crown Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the Benton High School Sports Complex, 1800 Benton Parkway, in Benton.
State finals were originally scheduled to be played at Bogle Park on the University of Arkansas campus Friday and Saturday, but due to selection of the Lady Razorbacks softball facility as a host site for NCAA Regional play, the Arkansas high school state championships were changed Sunday to Ferris Field on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas at Conway.
Monday morning the Arkansas Activities Association announced another change of venue with the softball finals to be played at the Benton High School softball field at Benton.
"UCA discovered that they are hosting a different college softball tournament this weekend," Morgan said.
The AAA released the following statement regarding the first change Sunday night at 9:23 p.m.:
"This evening the NCAA released the 2018 NCAA D-1 softball bracket. The University of Arkansas (Bogle Park) has been chosen to be one of 16 regional host sites this weekend. Due to these circumstances all championship softball games will be played at Farris Field on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas. The AAA would like to thank, UCA, Conway High School, and the City of Conway, for agreeing to host these games in such short notice. We will be sending out additional information later this week.
The AAA released the following statement regarding the second change of venue Monday morning:
"Sunday evening UCAA was invited to host the NISC (National Invitational Softball Championship, also known as the NIT of softball) softball tournament which will take place, Wednesday, May 16 through Friday, May 18. Due to these unforeseen circumstances, the AAA will move the softball finals to Benton High School."
The schedule of softball championship games to be played is as follows:
Friday
10 a.m. -- Poyen vs. Quitman (2A)
12:30 p.m. -- Bauxite vs. Pottsville (4A)
3 p.m. -- Taylor vs. Concord (1A)
5:30 p.m. -- Bentonville vs. Bentonville West (7A)
Saturday
10 a.m. -- Farmington vs. Greenbrier (5A)
12:30 p.m. -- Rosebud vs. Harmony Grove-Haskell (3A)
3 p.m. -- Marion vs. Sheridan (6A)
Sports on 05/16/2018