One of the first things Randall Hunt did when he took over Gravette's baseball team was beef up the schedule.
The Lions (3-2) have taken on bigger schools and won their fair share, already claiming wins over Class 6A Greenwood and Class 7A Springdale High. That has brought on a new sense of confidence this season that might have been missing in years past.
"We needed to find out how we stood against the bigger schools and see where we are," said Hunt, who was an assistant coach last year. "There are still some things that we need to clean up, but I'm really pleased with how we came out of the gate this year."
The biggest change Hunt has witnessed from his players is commitment to preparation, especially with limited practice time. He has instilled a precise practice plan, and seen his players carry that out.
Gravette has enjoyed good leadership out of its seniors. Ethan Vanderpool has been "rock solid" on the mound, including Tuesday's shutout victory over Stilwell, Okla., in a game played at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.
Aaron Means has been a versatile player, playing both the infield and outfield as well as throwing a no-hitter against Greenwood. Hunt also likes what he has seen from second baseman Wyatt Gibbons, as well as first baseman Austin Daniels and junior shortstop Cody Fields.
"I've seen more productive practices, and I've told the guys it's how they handle themselves," Hunt said. "They've done a great job of believing in that, and they believe in it. They go out there, and they never give up."
-- HENRY APPLE • @NWAHenry
WEST FORK SOFTBALL
Weather Slowing Lady Tigers
West Fork softball coach Tony Sagely believes his team has a chance to be as good or better than last year's group which earned a state tournament berth.
But weather has interfered this season.
"We've only played one game so far and we haven't even been able to be outside much," Sagely said. "We've had four rained out. It's been a tough spring already. But I've got a couple rescheduled for next week since we don't have a spring break."
Tiffany Cartwright blanked Berryville 4-0 last week, while lead-off hitter Jessica Reed went 3-for-5.
Cartwright's one of five starters returning from last year's state tournament team. Sagely's expecting big things from her in the circle.
"She threw pretty good, only three strikeouts but she had a low pitch count," Sagely said. "She was real efficient. Jessica can run a little bit and hits lefty. We haven't really taught her to slap yet, but she runs so well when she hits it in the ground she has a chance to beat it out."
Senior Kaden Selph, who is starting for her fourth year at third base, joins first baseman Olivia Karnes, Katie Coker and Spencer Sagely as returning starters. Coker moved from second to shortstop, while Sagely went from left field to second base.
"We have a good nucleus back and I expect big things from them," Sagely said.
The Class 3A Lady Tigers host 7A Springdale High on Friday.
GENTRY SOCCER
Lady Pioneers Reloading
Gentry lost seven starters to graduation off a team that advanced to the Class 4A state soccer semifinals a year ago, but the Lady Pioneers are still off to a fast start this season.
The Lady Pioneers are 4-1 with their only loss coming to defending 5A state champion Shiloh Christian.
"So far we've been good," Gentry coach Fabrizio Campagnola said. "The defense seems more solid."
Forward Amber Ellis has taken on the big scoring role, racking up 15 goals already this season. She had six goals in Gentry's 7-2 win over Springdale High's junior varsity.
Fullbacks Sofiya Stasif and Erika Magana, both juniors, have anchored the defense, while Caroline Page has continued to improve as goalkeeper after getting playing time late last season, Campagnola said.
The Lady Pioneers open conference play by hosting Danville today.
--PAUL BOYD • @NWAPAULB
PRAIRIE GROVE BASEBALL
Tigers Ready For Rematch
Prairie Grove will gauge its progress today when the Tigers meet Pulaski Academy for a second time this year.
Pulaski Academy won 8-2 when the teams met on March 8. The rematch will take place in Clarksville, which is about halfway between the two schools.
"We had eight errors and just did not play well in that first game against PA," Prairie Grove coach Mitch Cameron said. "We're looking forward to the rematch to see where we are."
Prairie Grove has won four consecutive games after opening the season with three consecutive losses. The Tigers have played a non-conference schedule that includes Class 7A Springdale, 6A Mountain Home, and Class 5A Magnolia.
"Our slow start was a combination of playing good teams and having a young team," Cameron said. "But we're getting better."
The Tigers will open 4A-1 Conference play April 1 against Ozark.
-- RICK FIRES • @NWARICK
ELKINS BASEBALL
Clark Fills In For Elks
Elkins Baseball Coach Jeff Eddleman underwent a five-way bypass surgery in the last month and is out for the start of the season. In his place, Elkins athletic director Aaron Clark is serving as interim coach.
"(Jeff) is doing real well," Clark said. "I went and saw him last Saturday and he looked good. The doctors said he could start lifting things as heavy as 20 pounds in the next couple of weeks.
"I foresee him being back in the classroom in the next week or two and I foresee him being back in baseball in the next few weeks, in a dictator-type role. I know he's anxious to get back."
Elkins has played just one game so far this season, a 6-5 loss to Berryville last week. The Elks have had two games postponed to weather and will make those games up Monday and Tuesday, with school in session as part of makeup dates during Spring Break.
"Our pitching was pretty good in our first game, but our defense kind of let us down in the late innings," Clark said. "We just need to get some more work in."
Elkins hosts Ozark today and Decatur on Friday. The Elks then host Green Forest Monday and visit Huntsville on Tuesday.
-- VERNON TARVER • @NWAVernon
FARMINGTON SOFTBALL
Lady Cardinals Face Stiff Competition
The early season schedule for Farmington has already been a gauntlet of sorts, as the Lady Cardinals has squared off against four Class 7A opponents and one more team from Class 5A. And so far, Farmington has more than held its own, with three wins in five games.
"The competition we've seen has been extremely good," Farmington softball coach Randy Osnes said. "They have hitters up and down the lineup and they've all had extremely good pitchers. The 7A-West teams we've faced have kind of mirrored one another."
Farmington (3-2) opened the season with an 8-2 win against Rogers Heritage and followed up with a 6-5 win over Vilonia and a 9-1 victory against Fort Smith Southside. The last two 7A opponents weren't as kind to the Lady Cardinals, as Springdale Har-Ber defeated Farmington, 15-9, last Wednesday and Fayetteville squeaked out a 6-5 win on Thursday.
Brooke Larkin is hitting .500 with one home run and five RBIs and Oakley Sisemore is close behind with a .444 average so far for the Lady Cardinals. In the circle, Jordin Smith is 3-1 with a 1.58 ERA.
"We had 14 hits in our first game against Heritage and we've been pretty consistent and close to that number in all of our games," Osnes said. "The good thing is we're seeing hitting up and down the lineup and now we just have to get good defense and good pitching in the circle."
Farmington is sure to face even more tough competition Friday and Saturday as it co-hosts the Fayetteville-Farmington Invitational. The tournament has expanded to a 16-team field this year and features Cabot, Fort Smith Southside, Fort Smith Northside, Rogers, Rogers Heritage and Mena, among others.
"There's not a weak team in the field," Osnes said. "Whoever comes out of this thing to win it will really have to earn it."
Farmington plays Greenwood at 7 p.m. Friday in its first game of the tournament.
-- VERNON TARVER • @NWAVernon
LINCOLN BASEBALL
Wolves Optimistic About Season
Lincoln is off to a good start after reaching the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament last season.
The Wolves are 5-1 with their only loss a 15-14 decision to Booneville. Lincoln led 9-1 in that game before giving its reserves some playing time.
"I'm real happy where we are right now," Lincoln coach Brad Harris said. "We've got nine seniors and seven juniors with varsity experience. We have a chance to be pretty good again this year."
Lincoln will play the winner of Stilwell, Okla. and Gentry game at Friday at 4 p.m. in the Springdale Bulldog Classic at the Tyson Complex. The Wolves begin 4A-1 Conference play April 1 at Berryville.
-- RICK FIRES • @NWARICK
DECATUR SOCCER
Mendoza Posts Hat Trick
Sophomore Toni Mendoza recorded a hat trick Tuesday as Decatur posted a 5-0 win over Gentry in a boys soccer match. Decatur is 2-1 overall, and 1-1 in conference play.
"Mendoza is a very good player," Decatur first-year coach Barry James said. "He is a very good ball handler, and he made quite a few individual runs against Gentry. He is not afraid to take on the defense."
James also said that Ociel Garcia, Carlos Ocampo, Antonio Rosales, Hector Aguilar and Victor Urquidi have all been providing key contributions to the Bulldogs. Aguilar and Rosales also added goals for Decatur in the shutout win over the Pioneers.
Decatur doesn't have a girls soccer team but Ashley Pudas and Sarah Harris. are both on the Bulldogs roster.
Decatur travels to Dardanelle on Friday and returns home March 31 when Eureka Springs visits.
-- PAUL NIELSEN • @NWAPAUL
Sports on 03/20/2014