CENTERTON -- Jazmine Dodd accounted for three of Bentonville West's five hits in the Lady Wolverines' inaugural high school softball game, but her last one was the biggest Tuesday evening.
The junior ripped a ball up the middle that ricocheted off the pitcher's glove, allowing teammate Steele Donahoe to race game with the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh inning to give West a 2-1 win over Gravette.
Prep Softball
Bentonville West 2, Gravette 1
Gravete^001^000^0^—^1^3^4
Bentonville West^001^000^1^—^2^5^1
Kildow and Ellis; Wood and Sneed. W-Wood, 1-0. L-Kildow, 2-2. HRs-None.
"I knew she was a really good pitcher, and I had to attack the first pitch," said Dodd, who doubled and also had a bunt single earlier. "I knew she was going to pitch me outside, and I just tried to push it."
West coach Anthony Cantrell said his team did a good job staying together to grind out the win. But pitcher Emma Wood kept Gravette in check. She allowed one run (unearned) on three hits over seven innings, while striking out six and walking three.
She outdueled Gravette's Cally Kildow (2-2), who allowed two runs (both unearned) on five hits. The freshman, who also had one of Gravette's three hits, struck out 11 and walked one.
"Both pitchers did a good job," Cantrell said. "Their kid is good. She doesn't just throw -- she pitches. But I'm real proud of Emma. She's coming off knee surgery. If we can pitch, I feel like we'll be able to stay in games. We'll swing the bats eventually, I think.
"Jazmine came up big for us, too. She's got the wheels if she puts it in play; she puts pressure on people."
Both teams took advantage of defensive miscues to score. Gravette (2-2) loaded the bases in the top of the third on a walk, an error and a single by Gabbi Curtis. Keeley Bulza followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Lady Tigers the 1-0 lead.
West tied it in the bottom of the third as Hallie Wacaser drew a one-out walk and Dodd laid down a bunt. There was no play at first since nobody covered the bag. But a throw back to second to try to nab Wacaser sailed into the outfield, allowing her to score.
The Lady Wolverines finally threatened in the seventh as pinch-hitter Donahoe reached on a three-base error with one out. Kildow got Wacaser on an infield pop-up for the second out, but Dodd, who finished 3-for-4, came up with the timely hit.
Gravette coach Taos Jones said his team just needs to iron out some problems on defense.
"We made some mistakes on defense, and like I told the girls, that's something we'll get fixed," Jones said. "By the end of the season we'll be fine."
Sports on 03/08/2017