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SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020 THREE RIVERS EDITION/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE DIAMOND ROUNDUP
31SS
MELBOURNE LADY BEARKATZ
Lady Bearkatz seek return trip to Class 2A playoffs
BY SAM PIERCE
STAFF WRITER
Coming off a disappointing loss in the Class 2A Final Four last year, the Melbourne Bearkatz softball team looks to make another run this season.
“Even though we are only returning five starters from last year, the athletes coming back have been key players for us, and we are bringing in a deep and talented freshman class,” head coach Tanner Hoskinds said. “We have a top-heavy conference and a very talented region that we expect to compete in as well.”
Hoskinds said “a disappointing loss” may be a little harsh.
“We probably overachieved last year,” he said. “Our goal going into last year was to make it to the state tournament, and even though we had some ugly losses throughout the year, we started playing our best softball [by the end of the year].
“Overall, we were pleased with how the season went. We had a really good season last year to, hopefully, set us up to do something good this season.”
Returning this year is junior Madison Brokaw, who averaged .484 with 5 home runs last year.
“Madison is one of four top players,” Hoskinds said. “She is our most consistent infielder and is very consistent at the plate.
“She is one of those girls who will go as far as she can get us. She is our most consistent player. She can hit for power and is a good baserunner.”
Starting in the circle this year is freshman Jenna Lawrence.
“She’s played a ton of softball ever since she was little,” Hoskinds said. “She has good command, and she fields the position well.
Conference: 2A-3
Coach: Tanner Hoskinds
Assistant coaches: Jerry Arnold, Tom Teague and Trish Provence 2019 record: 23-7
Returning starters: Senior Riley Provence; juniors Madi Cooper and Madison Brokaw; and sophomores Kate Provence and Natalie Brightwell
She is a very good player on the mound. “She is tall and long and pretty deceptive. She will be a heck of a pitcher to watch as she
gets older.”
Sophomore Natalie Brightwell will back up
Lawrence in the circle.
“They’ve both played competitive,
high-level ball and have played in big games and produced,” Hoskinds said. “Obviously, there is going to be a little bit of anxiety, and we’ll see how they’ll respond to the varsity level of play, but I’m very confident to put them out there.”
Sisters Riley and Kate Provence are the exact opposites on the field, the coach said.
“Riley is one of our best power hitters and has a cannon for an arm,” Hoskinds said. “She is very reliable at third base and is a good four- or five-hole hitter.
“She didn’t get as many home runs last year as we hoped, but she hits the ball hard and is a good power hitter.”
Sophomore Kate Provence will start at center field and bat lead-off.
“She has very good bat skills and is a very smart baserunner,” Hoskinds said. “She will do a great job for me on the bases.”
Kate Provence had a .443 batting average with 34 stolen bases a year ago and a .970 field- ing percentage. Riley Provence had 3 home runs.
MELBOURNE SOFTBALL
APRIL 2 ................................. MARKED TREE* APRIL 4 .................................... @BATESVILLE APRIL 6 ..................... @PALESTINE-WHEATLEY APRIL 7 .............................. CROSS COUNTY* APRIL 9 ....................................... @BARTON* APRIL 10 ................................................ TBA APRIL 14 ................ EAST POINSETT COUNTY* APRIL 16 ................. WHITE COUNTY CENTRAL APRIL 16 .................................. CLARENDON* APRIL 17 ....................................... @LONOKE APRIL 21 ............................ @MARKED TREE* APRIL 23 .......................... @CROSS COUNTY* APRIL 24 ..................................... @ENGLAND
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
Melbourne is scheduled to play Quitman on April 14 and Rose Bud on April 17.
“I think our greatest strength is going to be on offense,” Hoskinds said. “We’ve got power hitters
MELBOURNE BASEBALL
APRIL 2 ...........................................@RECTOR* APRIL 3 ................................ @MOUNTAIN VIEW APRIL 6 ............................................ @SALEM* APRIL 7 ................... @WHITE COUNTY CENTRAL APRIL 10 ........................................ @NEWPORT APRIL 13 ............................................. SALEM* APRIL 14 ........................................ @NORFORK APRIL 16 ............................ @SLOAN-HENDRIX* APRIL 17 ........................................... MIDLAND APRIL 20 ..............................................COTTER APRIL 21 ........................................... RECTOR* APRIL 23 ...........................................MAYNARD APRIL 24 .............................................. FLIPPIN
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
and a true lead-off. We’ve got a deep freshman class coming that will be good base runners.
“Once we get on bases, we will be creative and be aggressive and put some runs on people this year.”
CALICO ROCK BASEBALL
APRIL 2 ................................ IZARD COUNTY* APRIL 7 ........................................NORFORK* APRIL 9 ...........................................@VIOLA* APRIL 14 ........................... @IZARD COUNTY* APRIL 16 ................................@BRUNO-PYATT APRIL 21 ...................................@NORFORK* APRIL 23 ....................................... CONCORD APRIL 27 .......................@MAMMOTH SPRING
CALICO ROCK SOFTBALL
APRIL 2 ................................ IZARD COUNTY* APRIL 4 ...............@BATESVILLE TOURNAMENT APRIL 7 ........................................NORFORK* APRIL 9 ...........................................@VIOLA* APRIL 13 ..............................MOUNTAIN VIEW APRIL 14 ........................... @IZARD COUNTY* APRIL 16 ..............................HEBER SPRINGS APRIL 20 ............................................VIOLA* APRIL 21 ...................................@NORFORK* APRIL 23 ....................................... CONCORD
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES