BENTON -- Madi Bishop belted a three-run home run that propelled the Jonesboro Lady Hurricane to an 8-4 victory over Texarkana in the first round of the Class 6A softball state tournament at the Benton Sports Complex.
Bishop's blast came in the third inning and gave the Lady Hurricane a 4-0 lead.
Jonesboro (14-10) advances to play Sheridan (26-2) in today's quarterfinals. Sheridan defeated Little Rock Hall 15-0.
Bishop finished 2 for 3 while teammates Susanna Kelley and Ashlyn Dacus were 2 for 4. Kelley provided a two-run single in the sixth inning to break open the game.
Texarkana's Jasmine Allen pulled the Lady Razorbacks to within 4-3 in the fourth inning when she tripled with the bases loaded.
Jonesboro pitcher Marcie Bowley earned the victory. She struck out three while going the distance.
Marion pitcher Michelle Long tossed a one-hitter in the Lady Patriots' 10-0 victory over Pine Bluff in a game that was delayed for more than an hour because of lightning. Long retired the first 13 batters in order before Fillies left fielder Brandie Burnett lined a single to right-center field in the fifth inning.
Marion (20-6) scored its first two runs on sacrifices.
Mabry Watson opened the game by reaching on an error. She stole second and then came home on Madison Weaver's sacrifice bunt to Pine Bluff pitcher Alana Dunlap.
The Lady Patriots increased the lead to 2-0 in the second inning when Long's pop-up to center field was caught by shortstop Kye Richardson. Morgan Jones raced home from third.
The Lady Patriots scored three unearned runs in the fourth inning. Groundouts by Watson and Weaver brought home the first two runs of the inning. Back-to-back two-out doubles by Long and Hope Phipps made it 5-0.
Sports on 05/16/2014