Lady Tigers crowned state champions

With only a pair of seniors and a freshman as its ace pitcher, Taylor probably didn’t foresee a 2017 state softball championship in its future this season.

“We had some kids play major roles off and on during the year. It seemed as if a different person stepped up when someone was struggling. The end result was us getting better and better, and evenutually winning it all,” said fifth-year Lady Tigers’ head coach Adam Camp.

Because of tradition, the Lady Tigers were on the state’s Class 1A radar when the season started. They seem to always field a competitive team, winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, and their first championship in 2005.

But this season, they found ways to bounce back following losses.

After a 5-0 start to the season, which included four shutouts, the Lady Tigers suffered back-to-back shutouts. Regrouping, they reeled off seven more victories before falling to Class 5A state defending champion Vilonia.

“That game (13-3 loss) was a wake-up for us. It probably was our turning point or when the light came on to show us we could be pretty good this season. Though we loss badly, the Vilonia coach told our girls that they would be playing in May. I believe we began to believe in ourselves more at that point,” said Camp.

Taylor roared through the rest of the regular season with 13 straight victories. That was followed up with a convincing 24-0 win over Dermott and a 10-2 victory against Hermitage in the first round of the Class 1A Region 5 Tournament.

“We were on a roll and playing together. We seemed to be unbeatable. The kids were hitting the ball well and we were getting good pitching,” said Camp. “But for some strange reason, we then played our worst game of the year in the finals of the region tournament against Woodlawn.”

The Lady Tigers fell by a score of 2-1.

Having already qualified for the Class 1A State Tournament, Camp said the loss was probably needed.

“We hadn’t loss since the Vilonia game. We needed to know that would could be beaten again,” he said.

Like the other times when the team lost, the Lady Tigers bounced back this time with four consecutive shutout victories in the state tournament that gave them another championship crown.

On the season, Taylor shut out 15 opponents.

“We were back on track during that first game against Omaha, beating them 23-0 in the first round. I believe every player had multiple hits,” said Camp. “We followed with a 5-0 victory against Armorel in the quarterfinals and a 15-0 shutout of Mt. Ida in the semifinals.”

“I think we had four doubles and a home run in that Mt. Ida game, which was the difference,” he said.

Though the Lady Tigers blanked Scranton in the championship game last weekend, Camp said the entire contest was a struggle.

After three scoreless innings, senior outfielder Laura Lane came up with a huge double and later moved to third off a single by sophomore Jasmyn Copeland. Off a sacrifice fly by sophomore Preslie Morgan, Copeland scored to put Taylor up 1-0 in the fourth.

After two more scoreless inning followed, Camp said, “We had to try and manufacture a run or two for insurance in the seventh.”

Three consecutive bunts resulted in two singles, and a throwing error allowed one run to score. Junior Lexi Nolte then had another bunt single that drove in the third run.

“It was an all-around good championship game for us, but it was hard-fought on both sides” he said.

Camp was hesitant in singling out players for their effort this season.

“I will say that our freshman pitcher (Lindsey Downs) is the real deal. She was impressived and got better as the season went along. The same can be said for Laura Lane when it comes to hitting and catcher McKenzie Boyett. I don’t think she had more that five pass balls this season and she also hit the ball well,” stated Camp. “There were others. But like said, every kid on the team played important roles for us in one way or another.”

The Lady Tigers’ head coach has won his second title with the team, but credits former coach Elisa Millican for building a solid program. Millican led Taylor to state championships in 2015 and 2012.

“A lot of people would not have taken this job because of who they had to follow. I’ve been blessed to have Coach Millican around here. I can always go to her with questions and for advice. I played baseball here at Taylor and won a state title, and our families are friends. I look up to her,” said Coach Camp.

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