CONWAY -- Gracie Bogle didn't hesitate when she was given one more chance to play softball before she moved on to the college ranks.
The Springdale Har-Ber standout, who was earlier named the softball Newcomer of the Year by NWA Media, became a last-minute replacement for the All-Star softball game and quickly took the opportunity to play in today's doubleheader at Central Arkansas' Farris Field.
Today’s Ticket
Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Softball Game
When: 5 p.m. (doubleheader)
Where: Farris Field, University of Central Arkansas, Conway
Team Rosters
WEST
Head Coach: Kevin Sullivan, Vilonia
Assistant Coaches: Ray Hunter, Mena; Blue Kesterson, Ouachita; Kyle Russell, Hector
Manager: Kelsea Thrower, Vilonia
No.^Name^School
1^Sissa Mulligan^Vilonia
2^Shelby Stone^Magnet Cove
3^Jaydon Peterson^Cossatot River
5^Autumn Russell^Greenbrier
7^Ashton Currey^Benton
8^Skyler Anderson^Foreman
9^Oakley Sisemore^Farmington
10^Emily Ward^Atkins
11^Kaden Selph^West Fork
12^Leah Thomason^Vilonia
13^Kasey Rook^Hector
16^Ashley Davis^De Queen
18^Gracie Bogle^Springdale Har-Ber
19^Alicia Lowery^Bentonville
20^Morgan Vaughan^Bentonville
21^Cheyenne Crawford^Lavaca
22^Kalee Holloway^Ouachita
23^Greer Clouse^Lead Hill
24^Hunter Clark^Sheridan
25^Ariel Hartin^Mena
28^Keeley Miller^Nashville
29^Kaitlyn Eaves^Texarkana
EAST
Head Coach: Chata Hickey, Conway
Assistant Coaches: David Horton, Marion; Rusty Garner, Harding Academy; Steve Richey, Marmaduke
Manager: Amanda Berry, Harding Academy
No. Name School Coach
1^Avery Carter^Jessieville
2^Katy Kinnison^North Little Rock
3^Kayla Hickey^Conway
4^Taylor Varnell^Bald Knob
5^Megan Howard^Woodlawn
7^Shayna Beaver^Greene County Tech
8^Madison Weaver^Marion
9^Laura Hooker^Des Arc
10^Sydney Smith^Brookland
11^Kaylie Roberts^North Little Rock
12^Madison Shaw^Conway
16^Hayley Brewer^Mount Vernon-Enola
17^Kiersten Moore^Viola
18^Cheyenne Kuhn^Conway
19^Michelle Sorensen^Sylvan Hills
22^Haley Hambrick^Batesville
23^Sydney Harlan^Concord
28^Madelyn Poe^Beebe
Game Officials: Jay Wescoat, Eddie Hillis, Anthony Renshaw, Greg Bland
"I got the call not even a week ago," Bogle said before Monday's photo session inside the Farris Center. "I didn't even know about this until a few days ago, so it was on the spot.
"I was excited about it. This is something I'm excited to represent my team for. I was like 'Yes, I'm going to do it.'"
Bogle and Kaden Selph of West Fork were two of the late additions to the West roster. They have joined Northwest Arkansas' original invitees Morgan Vaughan and Alicia Lowrey of Bentonville and Oakley Sisemore of Farmington for the pair of seven-inning games.
Because the 6-foot-3 Bogle was a replacement player, she had no idea what position she might play in the games. She made it clear that she will play anywhere -- except catcher.
"I really don't know what to expect, but I'm ready to play," said Bogle, who will move on from the All-Star games to play at Butler Community College in Kansas before going to Arkansas. "I'm going to play my hardest, wherever they put me. I pitch and play first base, but I can play second or wherever they want me.
"But I can't catch. I'm too tall for that."
That was not the case for Vaughan, who was chosen by NWA Media as softball Player of the Year. She fully knew she is slated to pitch some during the games, although she did say she might play some first base as well.
It's been a month since Vaughan pitched for Bentonville in the Class 7A state championship game, but she has made the preparations necessary for this game and hopes to use it as a springboard to her college career at Arkansas Tech.
"I've been running a little bit, and I've been doing some kayaking in order to build up the arm strength," Vaughan said. "I've still been pitching, and I've been playing some travel ball.
"The arm is ready to throw. It's loose, relaxed and ready to go."
Sisemore, who will move on to Arkansas to play college softball, said these games will help her make the transition toward playing with new teammates much easier.
"It's a good experience because you get the chance to meet with everybody else across the state," said Sisemore, who expects to play at one of the outfield positions. "I want to come in here and learn to work well with somebody I don't know because it's going to be a good thing to carry on to college.
"When you come in here, you have to go and meet new people, and I think that's a good thing. You can take somebody out of playing with teammates that you never have played before, and I want to be successful at that."
Sports on 06/24/2014