FORT SMITH -- The responsibility of hitting clean-up for two-time defending state champion Bentonville is demanding, but junior outfielder Amber Turner has been up to the task. It showed again Tuesday night.
Turner finished 3-for-3, scored twice and had an RBI to help lead Bentonville in a 13-3 victory against Fort Smith Northside in a 6A-West conference matchup.
"It's been a very good season for her as a junior," Bentonville coach Kent Early said. "She is hitting in the four hole, which is a big responsibility. She is surrounded by some seniors that are really good players. But Amber swings it well for us."
Turner reached on an error in the opening frame and came around to score. She followed that with three consecutive singles, including one for an RBI in the sixth inning.
"The ball looked a little bigger today," Turner said. "It helps with Coach Early telling me to sit on my back foot. That's the reminder I need to be successful at the plate."
It's been an impactful season for Turner who is hitting over .400 and has been a steady source of stability for the Lady Tigers hitting in a key spot in the order.
"You just want to produce because you know there are seniors around you that are also producing," Turner said. "I have some really good hitters in front of me. I just want to do well for them. The responsibility of the four hole is to not let them down. I just want to produce and get runs in."
The 6A-West conference champion Bentonville (27-1, 15-0) needed its offense more than ever Tuesday after allowing a season-high three runs in league play this season. The bats helped keep alive the Lady Tigers' 38-game conference win streak though.
Bentonville jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two innings of play and didn't look back. The Lady Tigers then finished strong by scoring seven runs in the final four frames to pull away.
Bentonville's Kadence Stafford, Sara Watson and Audrey Lacina each finished with two RBI. Turner, Trista Peterson, Tallulah Pascucci and Demi Donahoe each scored two runs to guide the offense that had every hitter reach base.
Ryann Sanders picked up the win in the circle for the Lady Tigers. She pitched seven innings while allowing thee runs, six hits and zero walks to go with her 12 strikeouts.
Northside (7-20, 5-10) was guided on offense with RBI hits from Mallory Craig, Bailee Brinkley and Addison Foster.
Rogers 15,
Springdale 0
Ella Beeman fired a perfect game over four innings to lead the Lady Mounties on Tuesday.
Beeman struck out all 12 batters she faced on 48 pitches.
Dahana Tuemala homered twice including a grand slam and drove in six runs for Rogers (25-4, 12-3) and Beeman was 3-for-3 with a home run, double and two RBI.
Rogers will travel to crosstown rival Rogers Heritage on Thursday to end the regular season. The Lady Mounties are tied with Springdale Har-Ber for the No. 2 seed in the 6A-West.
Springdale Har-Ber 10, FS Southside 1
The Lady Wildcats remained in the hunt for the No. 2 seed in next week's Class 6A state tournament.
Kylie Lynch-Burris homered and drove in two runs for Har-Ber (14-5, 12-3) and Anniston Reith was 2-for-4 with a double. Bell Haney and Ryli Wolfe also had two hits each.
Reith earned the win in the circle, allowing just two hits with nine strikeouts.
Rogers Heritage 14, Fayetteville 7
The Lady War Eagles took control late to win a high-scoring 6A-West game.
Heritage (15-14, 7-8) scored 11 of its 14 runs in the fourth fifth and sixth innings. Izzy Ulepich homered and drove in two runs, and Karlee Earl was 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Joclyn Strickland, Lily Humphries and Kyler Strickland all had two hits for the Lady War Eagles.
Claire Chapel homered for Fayetteville and Allie Bowerman was 2-for-4.
5A-WEST
Greenwood 12-15, Greenbrier 2-0
The Lady Bulldogs earned a 5A-West Conference sweep to lock down the No. 2 seed in next week's state tournament.
Greenwood (21-8, 11-3) claimed the opener behind the hitting of Tori Howard, who was 2-for-4. Rylee Cowart, Haley McAdams and Natilee Horn all had two hits for Greenwood.
Howard earned the complete-game win with seven strikeouts.
In the second game, McAdams allowed just two hits to earn the win. Five Greenwood players had two RBI.