Ladycats battle Nettleton and Vilonia at 5A state softball tournament in Wynne

Ladycats vs. Vilonia

WYNNE – The Hope Ladycats continued 5A state softball tournament action, Saturday May 15 for second round action battling the Vilonia Lady Eagles. With an impressive victory against Nettleton in the first round, the Ladycats were currently on an eight game winning - streak, but fell short to Vilonia, 6-5 in seven innings. The Ladycats state title run and season came to an end for a 27-3 overall record.

In the game, the Ladycats recorded five runs off 11 hits and Vilonia had six runs off four hits. Jami Godwin pitched having six strike outs with double, single and one scored run. Stephanie Winfield had two singles and two scored runs. Chelsee Cornelius had two singles, and one run. Malloree Butler had one single and a scored run, and Julia Garcia had two singles. Sara Bateman and Shantae Henry each had a single in the game for Hope.

The Ladycats ended the 2010 season with a 27-3 overall record and winning the conference going undefeated 14-0.

Ladycats vs. Nettleton

WYNNE – The Hope Ladycats picked up a big victory against the Nettleton Lady Raiders, 9-6 in seven innings. This was for first round softball action in the 5A state softball tournament held in Wynne, Friday May14. The Ladycats had a total of nine runs scored off nine hits and three errors. The Lady Raiders had a total of six runs scored off 10 hits and three errors.

For game action in the first inning, Nettleton sparked early recording three runs off three hits. Jami Godwin started out at the pitcher's circle having one strike out. In the bottom of the first the Ladycats struck back recording two runs off one hit. Sara Bateman and Stephanie Winfield walked. Chelsee Cornelius doubled with Bateman and Winfield scoring runs. At the end of the first inning, Nettleton led Hope, 3-2.

In the second inning, the Lady Raiders sparked again recording two runs off one hit. In the bottom of the second the Ladycats recorded one hit and no runs. Julia Garcia singled and Adriana Rivera, Malloree Butler and Bateman all flied out at bat. At the end of the second, Nettleton led Hope 5-2.

In the third inning, the Lady Raiders recorded one run off two hits and Godwin had one strike out for Hope. In the bottom of the third, the Ladycats recorded one hit and no runs with Godwin having a single. At the end of the third, Nettleton led Hope 6-2.

In the fourth inning, the Lady Raiders were scoreless and Godwin had one strike out for Hope. In the bottom of the fourth, the Ladycats recorded one hit and no runs with a double by Garcia. At the end of the fourth, Nettleton led Hope 6-2.

In the fifth inning, the Lady Raiders recorded two hits and no runs. Godwin had one strike out for Hope. In the bottom of the fifth, the Ladycats sparked recording three runs off two hits. Cornelius and Marlee Butler both doubled. Winfield, Godwin and Cornelius all scored runs. At the end of the fifth, Nettleton led Hope 6-5.

In the sixth inning, the Lady Raiders were scoreless and Godwin kept throwing heat having one strike out. In the bottom of the sixth, the Ladycats recorded four runs off three hits. Marlee Butler doubled, Malloree Butler and Winfield both singled. Winfield, Shantae Henry, Malloree Butler, and Cornelius all scored runs. At the end of the sixth, Hope led Nettleton 9-6.

In the seventh inning, Nettleton recorded no runs with Godwin having one strike out and the Ladycats went on to victory advancing to the second round of the tournament.