Page 3 - TL Diamond Roundup March 2017

TRI-LAKES EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE BASEBALL & SOFTBALL REVIEW | SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017
3TT
BENTON LADY PANTHERS
Coach: Lady Panthers look to another postseason run
BY SCOTT LOFTIS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Benton Lady Panthers coach Heidi Cox is succinct when asked about her expectations for the 2017 season: “Start strong; finish stronger.”
The Lady Panthers know a lot about finish- ing strong. As Cox begins her sixth season as Benton’s head coach, her previous five teams have all advanced to at least the semifinals of the Class 6A State Tournament. The Lady Panthers won the state championship under Cox’s direction in 2014 — their third state title — and lost in the championship game last season.
This year’s team has the makings for anoth- er deep postseason run, led by five seniors and six returning starters.
Emme Edmondson, who will continue her career next season at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, and Mississippi College-bound Madi Lancaster lead the Lady Panthers’ pitching staff.
First baseman Bre Langford, who will play for Lyon College in Batesville, gives the Lady Panthers a power threat and is a consistent run producer.
Catcher/outfielder Caley Best, who has signed with Dodge City (Kansas) Community College, is another senior leader for the Lady Panthers, as is center fielder Maggie Carson. Cox said Carson has the best speed of all the Lady Panthers.
Junior shortstop Rylea Brimhall is a defen- sive whiz for the Lady Panthers and hits for a high average, the coach said.
Like Brimhall, junior catcher Madi Mehlin is a college prospect. Cox said Mehlin has an outstanding arm behind the plate for the Lady Panthers.
The Lady Panthers lost to conference
Conference: 6A South
Coach: Heidi Cox
Assistant coach: Chris Murphree 2016 record: 23-10 overall;
13-1 conference
Returning starters: Maggie Carson,
Emme Edmondson, Madi Lancaster, Bre Langford, Rylea Brimhall
and Madi Mehlin
JUSTIN MANNING/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Benton’s junior catcher Madi Mehlin prepares to toss the ball during the 2017 maroon and gray game.
rival Sheridan in last year’s state-championship game. Asked about big games this season, Cox pointed to two regular-season games against the Lady Yellowjackets — on March 28 and April 18.
MARCH 27...................................... @BRYANT MARCH 28................................ @SHERIDAN* MARCH 31-APRIL 1...... @VAN BUREN TOURNEY APRIL 3 ...................................... WHITE HALL APRIL 4 .................................. @PINE BLUFF* APRIL 7 ........................... BENTONVILLE @ATU APRIL 10 ............................. LR MCCLELLAN* APRIL 10 ....................................... SHERIDAN APRIL 11 ............... TEXARKANA, TEXAS @OBU APRIL 13 .................................. WHITE HALL*
APRIL 17 ........................................ @VILONIA APRIL 18 ..................................... SHERIDAN* APRIL 21 ........................ @WATSON CHAPEL* APRIL 24 .................................. @BALD KNOB APRIL 25 ................................... PINE BLUFF* APRIL 27 ............................... @WHITE HALL* APRIL 28 ................................... @LR MILLS* MAY 9 ......................... @NORTH LITTLE ROCK
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
BENTON LADY PANTHERS
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