FARMINGTON -- The "Cage Rat" broke through for Vilonia.
Sydney Johnson lined a two-run triple to right field then beat a throw home on a sacrifice bunt to lead Vilonia to 3-1 victory over Farmington on Friday in the 5A-West Conference Tournament semifinals.
Vilonia^000^003^0—^3^7^3
Farmington^000^010^0^—^1^8^2
Wilbanks, Kelley (5), Wilbanks (7) and Ruhland; Devecsery, Bogan (7) and Reed. W — Kelley. L — Devecsery. HRs — Farmington, Wallace.
Farmington led 1-0 on a home run by Brandy Wallace before Johnson lined a 3-2 pitch in the sixth inning past first base and into the corner in right to put Vilonia ahead. Johnson then provided an insurance when she hustled home on a sacrifice bunt by Kortanie Ruhland.
Players who take batting practice on their own are called "Cage Rats" by Vilonia coach Kevin Sullivan. He said the extra hours have helped Johnson, a junior who bats cleanup for the Lady Eagles.
"Sydney is one of those kids who has just come into her own," Sullivan said. "We knew that one of these days the light bulb was going to go off for her, and it has this year."
Vilonia (19-8) had only three hits coming into the sixth inning against Farmington pitcher Paige Devecsery. Callie Eary got Vilonia started with a bunt single, and Abby Hightower followed with a one-out single to center. Johnson then delivered with her key hit just inside the first base bag to put Vilonia up for good.
Vilonia advanced to today's championship game against Greenbrier, while Farmington will host Alma in a consolation game at 1 p.m. today.
Farmington placed runners on first and second with one out in the first inning against Vilonia starter Tori Wilbanks. But the threat died on an infield popup and a strikeout. Farmington also left two runners on base in the second and fifth innings against Wilbanks and freshman reliever Paige Kelley.
"They got runners on base with out out and two outs then put the ball in play," Farmington coach Randy Osnes said. "We had runners on third and second with one out in the first inning and couldn't score. They were the better team today."
Wallace had a home run and a single to lead Farmington (22-8), which outhit the Lady Eagles 8-7. Vilonia committed three errors and Farmington had two.
7A-West Conference
Van Buren 7, Bentonville West 4
Baylor Miles belted a grand slam in the third inning to lead Van Buren past West in the final 7A-West Conference game for both teams Friday at the Wolverine Sports Complex.
Caroline Davis was 3-for-4 and McKennah Sikes added two hits and drove in two runs for the Lady Pointers, whose win allowed them to secure the conference's third seed for the Class 7A state tournament in Fayetteville.
Brittany Crowson had three hits and drove in a run for West (20-12, 8-6), which fell to the fifth seed with its third straight loss. Alyssa Cordell drove in two runs for the Lady Wolverines.
Sports on 05/06/2017