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THREE RIVERS EDITION/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE DIAMOND ROUNDUP
SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2020
SHIRLEY SOFTBALL
APRIL 2 .............................. RURAL SPECIAL* APRIL 6 ............................. @MOUNTAIN VIEW APRIL 9 ....................................... MARSHALL APRIL 14 ................................... @CONCORD APRIL 16 ............................ @WONDERVIEW*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
SHIRLEY BASEBALL
APRIL 2 ..................................... @CONCORD APRIL 13 ................ MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA* APRIL 16 ............................ @WONDERVIEW*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
WONDERVIEW SOFTBALL
APRIL 6 ................................. GUY-PERKINS* APRIL 7 ......................................... CARLISLE APRIL 9 .............................. RURAL SPECIAL* APRIL 13 ............................ SACRED HEART* APRIL 14 ................ MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA* APRIL 16 ...................................... SHIRLEY* APRIL 20 .................................... CONCORD* APRIL 21 ......................................... HECTOR APRIL 23 ........................................... HAZEN APRIL 24 ....................... CONWAY ST. JOSEPH
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
WONDERVIEW BASEBALL
APRIL 2 ............. WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY* APRIL 3 ......................................... DANVILLE APRIL 6 ................................. GUY-PERKINS* APRIL 7 .................. MOUNT VERNON-ENOLA* APRIL 9 ................... WESTERN YELL COUNTY APRIL 13 ............................ SACRED HEART* APRIL 16 ...................................... SHIRLEY* APRIL 18 ................................... @MCCRORY APRIL 20 .................................... CONCORD* APRIL 23 ........ @WEST SIDE GREERS FERRY* APRIL 24 ....................... CONWAY ST. JOSEPH APRIL 27 ....................................... QUITMAN
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
VILONIA LADY EAGLES
Lady Eagles focused on the process
BY SAM PIERCE
STAFF WRITER
The Vilonia Lady Eagles made it to the second round of the state tournament last year before losing to Benton. Head coach Kevin Sullivan said he hates the word “overachieved,” but he said, “I do think we played above our talent level.”
“We have a lot of kids that are blue collar and work hard and really love each other,” Sullivan said. “It made us better than what we should have been.
“Our talent level might not have matched up, but our kids bought into what we do, and we had some seniors who hadn’t contributed in the past step up and do a great job of not being selfish. ... It sure made that year a lot of fun.”
Vilonia finished the year 17-16, but the coach said the selfless attitude of last year set a great example for this season.
“We quit focusing on the results and focused more on the process,” Sullivan said. “These girls saw how fun it was and saw how successful it was and are adopting that same recipe. They play for each other, and they compete.
“We want our kids to go out and soak up the time they can and enjoy that quality time together and let the results fall where they may.”
Last year, junior Julie Johnson led Vilonia in almost every offensive category. She hit .438 with 10 doubles, a school record of 9 home runs and 36 RBIs. This year, Sullivan anticipates ju- niors Chelby Wilson and Jordyn Alexander to provide more pop than they did last year.
“We have been hitting [the weight room] pretty consistently since Christmas, and it is amazing how much stronger we have gotten,” Sullivan said. “These girls are so much stronger, and I really anticipate their confidence level will be higher this year as well.”
Junior Mackenzie Floyd returns at shortstop but sustained a broken foot during a basketball camp this offseason.
“She is a great basketball player and one of the best shooters in the school, girl or guy,” Sullivan said. “She had to go through surgery and just got released not too long ago. But I’ve seen her a little bit in the batting cages, and she is looking strong.”
Sullivan said he is anxious to see how well she can move. She is currently playing some spot duty for the basketball team, working her way back to full speed.
Conference: 5A-West
Coach: Kevin Sullivan
Assistant coaches: Ben Morris and Kim Bartlett
2019 record: 17-16
Returning starters: Senior Reagan Bates; and juniors Chelby Wilson, Julie Johnson, Mackenzie Floyd, Katelyn Ohide and Jordyn Alexander
VILONIA SOFTBALL
APRIL 2 ................................... @STUTTGART APRIL 7 .................................. GREENWOOD* APRIL 10 ........................................ ROGERS APRIL 14 ................................ GREENBRIER* APRIL 17 ................................. BENTONVILLE APRIL 21 ........................... @RUSSELLVILLE* APRIL 27 ........................................ @CABOT MAY 1 .................... @GREENE COUNTY TECH MAY 5 ............................. SILOAM SPRINGS*
*DENOTES CONFERENCE GAMES
Senior Makenzie Loyd gets ready to throw the ball back to coach Kevin Sullivan while running drills March 11.
“She is a hardworking kid, but as long as she continues to rehab, she should be in good shape by the time we get her out,” Sullivan said. “Our middle infielders play basketball, and the team is really good, so it might be a while before we get them back.”
Senior Jordan Rogers returns with the most experience in the circle, throwing 42 innings
PHOTOS BY STACI VANDAGRIFF/RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION
Vilonia’s Kaylee Partee throws the ball from the outfield during practice.
last season. However, Sullivan said, he is not sure who will start this year.
“Jordan did well last year in relief, coming in at the middle of the game, so we expect her to expand her role,” Sullivan said. “But we have two sophomores bringing something a little different, after using them sparingly last year.”
He said sophomores Elise Trautman and Hope Johnson have both shown potential but threw limited innings last season.
“As a whole, we don’t have a lot of experi- ence.” Sullivan said. “It is always a challenge, but they have handled it well. We are hoping to be pretty consistent and rolling pretty good by the time we start our conference play.”
Vilonia is scheduled to play at Greenwood on April 7.
“Our classification is one of the toughest in the state,” Sullivan said. “There’s plenty of un- certainty surrounding this year’s group. We feel like we can hit it well enough and play defense well enough to compete.
“The challenge will come in the circle, where we are fairly inexperienced. We always feel like our kids will play hard enough and compete, which will keep us in games most of the time.
“The reality is, we ask our kids to play hard and act right and let the results take care of themselves.”
