WEST FORK — The West Fork softball team is in unfamiliar territory.
After winning just three games a year ago, the Lady Tigers claimed the 3A-1 West Conference title and a spot in the regional tournament, which is slated to begin today at Greenland.
West Fork (12-6) needs just one win to advance to the state tournament for the first time in “quite a while,” West Fork softball coach Tony Sagely said.
The Lady Tigers have ridden a red-hot April, winning 10-of-12 games in the month, and hope continue that solid play into May. Sagely said he’s had several big contributors, but juniors Kaden Selph and Tiffany Cartwright have been a strong 1-2 punch.
Selph starts at third base and leads the team in batting average, doubles and runs batted in. Cartwright is the team’s top pitcher with an 11-5 record, pitching in all but two games this season. She has been a mainstay in the circle since her freshman year.
“She’s come a long way, especially with her change-up,” Sagely said. “She hadn’t thrown one much until last year and she still doesn’t have a lot of confidence in it.
“The thing she needs to know is I have confidence in that change-up. Someone may get a bloop hit off it and there goes her confidence. I’ve tried to tell her that’s just part of the game. She threw a good pitch.”
Both Cartwright and Selph agreed added confidence all around has helped propel the Lady Tigers to more success.
Cartwright said it was difficult at times last season when the Lady Tigers struggled defensively. But having senior Sydney Franklin come out to play shortstop this season has helped shore up the defense, Sagely said.
“My confidence is a lot better especially now that I have a team to back me up,” Cartwright said.
Getting Franklin, who recently signed to play college basketball at Arkansas-Fort Smith, to play softball was big for many reasons, Sagely said.
“She’s a great kid and a great athlete, but it allowed me to move Kaden from shortstop back to third, which is her natural position,” Sagely said.
The Lady Tigers return five starters from a year ago, which also helps, Selph said.
“The more games you play the more natural it becomes,” Selph said.
A turning point for the Lady Tigers this season was getting win over Class 5A Huntsville this season, Selph said.
“Their pitcher threw a no-hitter against us last year,” Selph said.
Both Selph and Cartwright said they had goals of winning the conference and getting a state tournament berth as goals in the preseason, but Cartwright also acknowledged she wasn’t sure if those things would happen.
“I’m just excited and grateful the season has gone as well as it has,” Selph said.
REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS
Prep Softball
Class 3A Region 1 Tournament
at Greenland
Today’s Games
Game 1: West Fork vs. Charleston, noon.
Game 2: Atkins vs. Elkins, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: Lavaca vs. Green Forest, 5 p.m.
Game 4: Greenland vs. Mansfield, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s Games
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, noon.
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 2:30 p.m.
Monday’s Games
Game 7: Loser Game 5 v. Loser Game 6, noon.
Game 8: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 2:30 p.m.
Class 4A North Region Tournament
at Farmington
Today’s Games
Game 1: Farmington vs. Waldron, noon.
Game 2: Booneville vs. Prairie Grove, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: Mena vs. Pea Ridge, 5 p.m.
Game 4: Gravette vs. Pottsville, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s Games
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, noon.
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 2:30 p.m.
Monday’s Games
Game 7: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6, noon.
Game 8: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 2:30 p.m.
PREP BASEBALL
Class 3A Region 1 Tournament
at Greenland
Today’s Games
Game 1: Cedarville vs. Danville, noon.
Game 2: Charleston vs. Elkins, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: Lamar vs. West Fork, 5 p.m.
Game 4: Greenland vs. Lavaca, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s Games
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, noon.
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 2:30 p.m.
Monday’s Games
Game 7: Loser Game 5 v. Loser Game 6, noon.
Game 8: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 2:30 p.m.
Class 4A North Region Tournament
at Farmington
Today’s Games
Game 1: Prairie Grove vs. Maumelle, noon.
Game 2: Booneville vs. Lincoln, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: Dover vs. Ozark, 5 p.m.
Game 4: Farmington vs. Pottsville, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s Games
Game 5: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, noon.
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 2:30 p.m.
Monday’s Games
Game 7: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6, noon.
Game 8: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 2:30 p.m.
Top 4 Teams Advance To State Tournament