The Magnolia Lady Panthers (15-4) needed only two runs and a solid performance in the circle to assure themselves a spot in this week’s Class 4A State Softball Tournament at Southside Batesville.
After beating Nashville 8-5 on Monday in a game to determine seeding, Magnolia will be the third-seed team from the South Region and will square off against the North Region second-seed Gravette Lady Lions (16-8) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
Magnolia got the all-important win during its first game of the South Region Tournament at Lady Panthers Field.
The top-seed Lady Panthers knocked off fourth-seed Malvern 2-0 as Caitlyn McCormack pitched a no-hitter.
“Her pitching was strong on both sides of the plate,” said head coach Candi Bailey.
McCormack struck out eight batters in seven innings of work, giving up one walk.
Carlin Whaley, Kendall Cheatham, McCormack, Bailey Ladner, Kristin Smith, and Brittany Yates each managed one hit to lead Lady Panthers.
In other first-round games at the region tournament, Nashville blanked Hamburg 10-0, Bauxite outscored Monticello 15-13 and De Queen got past Warren 3-0.
Nashville (fourth seed), Bauxite (first seed) and De Queen (second seed) will join Magnolia as representatives from the South Region in this week’s state tournament.
In second-round games on Sunday, De Queen rallied to beat the Lady Panthers 4-2, while Bauxite sneaked past Nashville 3-2. Bauxite won the title game 7-3 over De Queen.
The Class 4A State Softball Tournament are scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Championship games in all classifications will be played in Fayetteville May 17-18.
Class 1A Region 4
Softball Tournament
TAYLOR - Taylor (first seed), Emerson (third seed), and Bradley (fourth seed) will play in the Class 1A State Softball Tournament this week at Taylor.
On Thursday, Taylor will play at 10 a.m.; Bradley at 3 p.m. and Emerson at 5:30 p.m.
In regionals, the fourth-seed Lady Pirates shocked top-seed Caddo Hills 16-7; Hermitage blanked Trinity Christian 15-0; defending state champions Lady Tigers blasted Blevins 20-0; and Bradley beat Ouachita 10-1.
In the semifinals, Heritage blanked Emerson 10-0; and Taylor blanked Bradley 15-0.
The Lady Tigers claimed the regional title by blanking Hermitage 10-0 and Emerson beat Bradley 5-4 in the consolation game.
Taylor outscored its opponent 45-0 in the regionals, not allowing a run so far during the postseason that’s being played on their home field.
Class 1A Region 4
Baseball Tournament
TAYLOR - The Nevada Blue Jays (first seed), Taylor Tigers (second seed) and Bradley Bears (fourth seed) will be competing in the Class 1A Baseball Tournament starting Thursday at Taylor.
The Blue Jays play at 10 a.m., Tigers at 12:30 p.m. and Bradley at 3 p.m.
In opening action in regionals at Taylor, the Tigers defeated Kirby 16-6; Bradley pounded Mountain Pine 20-3; Nevada rolled over Blevins 11-1; and Ouachita knocked out Hermitage 6-3.
In the semifinals, Nevada beat Ouachita 11-1 and Taylor downed Bradley 4-2.
Nevada won the regional crown with a 3-2 victory over host Taylor, while Ouachita slipped past Bradley 3-2 to finish in third place.
All games will be played at Tiger Field, but the finals will take place in Fayetteville.