State Championship Recap: Saturday May 21st

May 22, 2016

By: Zac Bottoms
Arkansas Scouting Director

Day 2 of the week end of champions did not disappoint with three competitive games.

Woodlawn made the most of their two hits scoring 2 runs defeating conference rival Junction City 2-0. Woodlawn scored its first run in the 4^th by drawing a one out walk with the bases loaded. The walk lead to a pitching change as 2016 Hunter Brantley from Junction City exited trailing 1-0 allowing 1 earned on 0 hits. 2016 RHP Will Smith worked out of the jam and kept the competitive. Woodlawn scratched an insurance run in the 6^th to push the game to 2-0. 2018 RHP Reece Michals through a complete game shutout. Keeping hitters off balance with a steady mix of breaking balls and fastballs. Woodlawn will drop down to 1A next season returning their entire roster, so they will be the overwhelming favorite to start the season.

Horatio took care of business beating a young Booneville team 7-0. 2016 RHP Tanner Vaught, pitched a complete game allowing 0 runs on 2 hits, 0 walks, while striking out 7. Offensively the Lions were led by Treyce Young who reached base 4 times during day going 2 for 3 with 2 singles. He also walked twice and scored two runs. Horatio as a team scored 7 runs on 7 hits, taking advantage of 8 walks. Booneville’s youth played a role as they made some youthful mistakes that the veteran club from Horatio.

Magnolia defeated Sylvan Hills 4-1 in the final game of Championship week end. They received a solid performance from 2017 RHP/MIF Matt Goodheart as he pitched 7 innings allowing just 1 run. 2017 MIF Parker Ribble was big part of the day making big plays defensively at short stop and recording 2 hits including a big RBI. A heated game with Sylvan Hills threatening to score in 4 of 7 innings but was turned away in all but one by the gutty Matt Goodheart. Look for both teams to be in the mix for the 5A State Title in 2017 as they both return the majority of their roster.