Southside defeats Van Buren at 7A state tourney

Several two-out RBI hits turned out to be the difference as Southside rallied to defeat Van Buren, 4-2, in the opening round of the 7A state softball tournament Thursday in Cabot. The Mavericks (14-12) now advance to today’s 7A quarterfinals, where they will take on 7A-Central champion Bryant at 3 p.m. It was also the second time in the last three years Southside ended the Lady Pointers’ season at state, having done the same two years ago before Van Buren defeated the Mavs in last season’s opening round at state. Southside’s win also avenged a loss at home to the Lady Pointers in the regular season. Trailing 2-0 entering the fifth, Southside scored three runs to take the lead, all with two out. Cailin Massey tied the score with a two-run triple to left, scoring Hailey Hogue and Mackenzie Farrar. Then the Mavs went in front, 3-2, as Hannah Hogue drove in Massey with a double to right. Southside tacked on an insurance run in the top of the sixth when, with two out, Kendall Willis singled home Hailey Hogue. Van Buren (15-12) had the tying run at the plate with one out in the bottom of the seventh. But Southside freshman pitcher Meliah Hunter got the next two batters to fly out, ending the game. Hunter gave up one earned run on eight hits over seven complete innings. She walked two and struck out one. Hannah Hogue was 2-for-4, including her RBI double. Katianne Bramlett was 2-for-3, and Alexcia Trejo 2-for-4 for the Lady Pointers, who took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on RBI singles from Hannah Brewer and Bramlett. Van Buren sophomore pitcher Richelle Stacy gave up four unearned runs on five hits. She walked three and struck out two.

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SOUTHSIDE DEFEATS VAN BUREN AT 7A STATE TOURNEY

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Times Record | 5/11/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Van Buren High School Athletics