SPRINGDALE -- Blake Adams knows there's more at stake than just a state championship Saturday at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.
The University of Arkansas signee will try to help Springdale Har-Ber claim its second consecutive state baseball title. But he and his teammates are hoping to send Coach Ron Bradley out a winner, too.
The Wildcats (25-7) will play in their third consecutive title game, facing North Little Rock (14-18) in a battle of teams that finished fifth in their respective conferences during the regular season. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.
Bradley, 63, let his team know earlier this week that his 40th season in coaching would be his last.
Having several players with state finals experience should help the Wildcats remain calm under pressure, Adams said.
"Of course, there's going to be jitters because you're excited and anxious that you want to get it done," said Adams, who will make his third consecutive state finals start on the mound. "It's there, but I think we'll control it.
"We want to go out there, play relaxed and do it for [Bradley], take the pressure off ourselves because we're playing for someone else."
The defending champions sidestepped a couple of roadblocks to make their way back to the final for the third consecutive year. Har-Ber defeated Conway 6-5 in 10 innings in the first round in a rematch of last year's title game, then needed several big plays to edge Cabot 3-2 in the semifinals.
Bradley admitted thoughts crept into his mind of whether his coaching career might end short of the finals.
"Sitting there watching things play out you think, 'Wow, is this gonna be it? Are we gonna lose in extra innings?'" Bradley said. "You try to suppress those things, but they can't help but come flooding in -- the emotions. What am I going to say? It's been kinda surreal to watch it play out.
"But Saturday, I'm just going to enjoy the moment. It's not about me. I told them, 'It's about you guys.' I want them to use it as motivation and hopefully just go out, relax and be able to play like we've played over the last week."
Bradley acknowledged it's been a challenging year in some ways.
"We knew we had key pieces back," Bradley said. "But it's been one of my most difficult years as far as lineups. We were making lineup changes going into the state tournament. Last year, roles were pretty defined by the second week of the season.
"This year it's been a roller-coaster as far as the seven, eight and nine spots and the catching position."
Sophomore Bo Kimbel and junior Holt Ross have split the catching duties. Kimbel was moved up to varsity during the middle of the season, and Bradley wasn't sure Ross would be a varsity player either this season.
Junior Charlie Acuff, who was mainly a role player and reliever for part of the season, came up huge on the mound during the state tournament. He's picked up two victories and did not allow an earned run over 112/3 innings.
Bradley has guided five different schools in Arkansas and Oklahoma to state baseball titles, including last year with Har-Ber. He also started the baseball program at Rogers State in Claremore, Okla., in 2004 and guided them to the NAIA national title game eight years later.
He's been a mentor to many, but Bradley said people like Charles Berry and the late Alvy Early were mentors to him as a young coach.
"Coaching, it was their life," Bradley said. "That's all I've done and it's all I've ever wanted to do."
His players learn so much more than just baseball from Bradley, Adams said.
"He teaches me character over anything," Adams said. "He takes this program and he's worried about wins and losses, that's important. But it's more about how we're growing as young men.
"He wants to lead us to be successful in life and I can't thank him enough for that. He's changed my life for that better, that's for sure."
Bradley's teachings on and off the field have formed bonds that transcend time. David Ferrell, the current boys basketball coach and athletic director at The New School in Fayetteville, is just one example.
Ferrell, who was a starter on Bradley's state championship team at West Fork in 1982, will be in the stands Saturday to watch his former coach, mentor and friend close out his coaching career.
"Not only was he my coach, he went way beyond that," said Ferrell, who has more than 500 victories as a high school basketball coach and currently serves as president of the Arkansas Basketball Coaches Association. "He was best man at my wedding. Our families are intertwined. We went to church together and he's someone I've leaned on over the years.
"Our friendship aside, he's just a good human being. Ronnie stands for all the good things we talk about and preach as coaches. He was a model to me that goes way beyond the baseball field. He taught me how to be a father and a husband."
No matter the result Saturday, Bradley wants his players to remember the journey and it's something he won't forget.
"What a joy. What a thrill to be able to go out your last game in coaching on a state championship stage," Bradley said.
State finals schedule
BASEBALL
All games at Baum-Walker Stadium, Fayetteville
TODAY'S GAMES
CLASS 2A Woodlawn vs. Junction City, 10 a.m.
CLASS 4A Shiloh Christian vs. Nashville, 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 5A Benton vs. Sheridan, 3 p.m.
SATURDAY'S GAMES
CLASS 6A Springdale Har-Ber vs. North Little Rock, 10 a.m.
CLASS 1A Viola vs. Taylor, 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 3A Harmony Grove vs. CAC, 3 p.m.
SOFTBALL
All games at Bogle Park, Fayetteville
TODAY'S GAMES
CLASS 6A Cabot vs. Bentonville, 10 a.m.
CLASS 5A Greenwood vs. Sheridan, 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 4A Pottsville vs. Farmington, 3 p.m.
SATURDAY'S GAMES
CLASS 2A Quitman vs. Poyen, 10 a.m.
CLASS 3A Genoa Central vs. Rose Bud, 12:30 p.m.
CLASS 1A Hermitage vs. Taylor, 3 p.m.
SOCCER
All games at Razorback Field,
Fayetteville
TODAY'S GAMES
CLASS 5A BOYS Russelville vs. Siloam Springs, 10 a.m.
CLASS 5A GIRLS Little Rock Christian vs. Russellville, noon
CLASS 6A BOYS Springdale vs. Bryant, 2 p.m.
CLASS 6A GIRLS Bryant vs. Conway, 4 p.m.
SATURDAY'S GAMES
CLASS 3A GIRLS CAC vs. Harding Academy, 10 a.m.
CLASS 3A BOYS CAC vs. Green Forest, noon
CLASS 4A GIRLS Pulaski Academy vs. Harrison, 2 p.m.
CLASS 4A BOYS Valley View vs. Harrison, 4 p.m.
Sports on 05/17/2019