Page 42 - RVO Diamond Roundup March 2017

42VV
SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 | RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASEBALL & SOFTBALL REVIEW
RUSSELLVILLE LADY CYCLONES
RUSSELLVILLE SOFTBALL continued from 41VV learning so fast,” he said of the three. “We typically
have one or two on the team. If they want to play, we usually keep them — just to be from another country and to experience a team sport. They are all really good girls.”
Team strengths, he said, will be defense and experience. But the Lady Cyclones must hit better and be more consistent.
The Lady Cyclones finished as Class 6A state runner-up in 2012 and as champion the next year. But the school’s latest state title — football last fall — continues to pay dividends, Sisson said.
“The community and school and student support in getting behind a successful program just changes the whole outlook about athlet- ics, about getting involved and supporting and helping,” he said. “We have a very supportive parent group [for softball], very active with fundraising and providing things for the girls.
“Three or four years ago, we renovated the field at Hickey Park, and we have a real nice place to play. People always enjoy playing here. That’s just a representation of the support and concern people have for all sports in our school — not just football.”
The Lady Cyclones will play this spring in the tough 6A South, along with Benton,
El Dorado, Greenwood, Lake Hamilton, Sheridan, Siloam Springs and Texarkana.
Last year, Sheridan knocked off Benton for the Class 6A state title. Greenwood reached the semifinals, Lake Hamilton the quarter- finals, and El Dorado, Siloam Springs and Texarkana fell in the opening round.
The league’s top six teams will advance to the Class 6A State Tournament.
During the regular season, the Lady Cyclones will play in combined classification 5A/6A District 1 against Alma, Clarksville, Farmington, Greenwood, Harrison and Siloam Springs.
“In our district, Greenwood is probably
the strongest,” Sisson said. “They’re a power- house. Alma, Siloam Springs and Clarksville are good, so every game we play is going to be a battle.
“This schedule is going to be different from anything we’ve ever played before. Because of power ratings, every game you play is import- ant, even though it’s not in your conference, because it will affect your seeding. It’s import- ant that we win as many as we possibly can.
“Ultimately, our goal is to win [the confer- ence], but we sure want to qualify for state and then make a run. We’re hoping when we get that far down the road, we can be competitive and have a chance to do well.”
RUSSELLVILLE CYCLONES
RUSSELLVILLE BASEBALL continued from 40VV The football title was the Cyclones’ first, and
the experience has infected everyone associated with the school, McCrotty said.
“Just the sense of unity, of everybody pull- ing for one team, that team atmosphere — the
whole school district bought into it,” he said. “It was like one big team — not just our football team, but the whole community.
“Our guys have learned you can’t accom- plish a championship by yourself. You’ve got to be a team player, and everybody has to do their part in order to be successful.”
McCrotty said leadership, defense and pitching will be team strengths this spring.
“We have three senior pitchers (Mullen, Golden and Barker) and a junior (Reed Rispoli) who are going to be our core guys,” the coach said. “Defensively, I feel pretty con- fident we’re going to make the routine plays, and I hope we make some great plays.”
ATKINS RED DEVILS AKINS BASEBALL continued from 39VV
average of .368, is starting for his third year. The team is returning all of its top-three pitchers, Miller said, and the Red Devils
After the Arkansas Activities Associa- tion’s regular realignment, the Cyclones will compete this spring in the loaded 6A South against Benton, El Dorado, Greenwood, Lake Hamilton, Sheridan, Siloam Springs and Texarkana.
The top six teams will advance to the Class 6A State Tournament.
Sheridan went to the Class 6A state semifinals last year; Benton and Lake Hamilton reached the quarterfinals.
During the regular season, the Cyclones will play in combined classification 5A/6A District 1 against Alma, Clarksville, Farmington, Greenwood, Harrison and Siloam Springs.
should have expert talent on the mound for the next few years. Senior center fielder and pitcher Seth Haney has the best arm of the bunch, the coach said. Junior Parker Sweet and up-and-coming sophomore Ben Jackson have also proven themselves to be top-notch pitchers.
Fans should keep their eyes on Jackson, whom the coach named as the team’s best fielder. In addition to pitching, Jackson also plays at third base.
“He started last year and probably is my No. 1 on the mound,” Miller said. “He’s a guy to look at.”
As far as speed is concerned, Miller said, senior right fielder Ty Frazier is the swift- est player on the team. Other returning starters include senior second baseman Cory Childress and junior catcher Con- ner Jackson.
“I think we’re well-rounded,” Miller said. “I’ve got a lot of guys who just want to win. We’ve got good unity on the team.
Farmington and Harrison reached the Class 5A State Tournament last year.
“There’s going to be some good baseball, especially playing Farmington and Alma and Greenwood,” McCrotty said. “It’s a tough confer- ence. We just want to go out and compete and work hard and see what happens from there.”
For 2017, McCrotty said, he expects his team to compete for a conference championship and qualify for the Class 6A State Tournament.
“I am excited about the possibilities with the group of young men that are a part of Cyclone baseball,” he said. “I can’t predict the outcome of the games and season, but I can promise you this ball club will compete day in and day out.”
ATKINS BASEBALL
MARCH 24-25 ............... ATKINS TOURNAMENT MARCH 28 ................................ PERRYVILLE* MARCH 30 .........................................@PARIS MARCH 31 ..................................... @DOVER* APRIL 4 ...................................DARDANELLE* APRIL 7 ......................................... CLINTON* APRIL 11 ..................................TWO RIVERS* APRIL 13 ................................ @POTTSVILLE* APRIL 17 ..........................................LAMAR* APRIL 18 ................................@PERRYVILLE* APRIL 20 ................................@CHARLESTON APRIL 21 .................................... JESSIEVILLE APRIL 25 ................................ @DARDANELLE
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
“I think people better watch out,” he said. “Atkins baseball’s going to be pretty good this year.”
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