The 2024 softball Regional Tournaments wrapped up on Monday evening with the 4A-East final round following multiple weather delays that pushed the tournament back two days.
Three four-seeds punched their tickets to state over No. 1’s in the first round as Gentry slipped past Morrilton in the 4A-North, Central Arkansas Christian took down Quitman in the 2A-Central and West Side (Greers Ferry) handled Marked Tree in the 1A-2.
Here are some of the top headlines from all regional tournaments as state tournaments are on the verge of getting underway.
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4A
- It was achieved two days before regionals started, but a quick shoutout to the Monticello Lady Billies is warranted after they set the new state record for home runs in a single season. They came into the matchup against Class 6A Conway with 46 and smacked three out of the yard to pass 2019 Smackover’s 47 bombs.
- Once again in 2024, Conference 1 proved its supremacy as the top league in the class. Farmington, Gentry, defending 4A champion Gravette and Pea Ridge swept Conference 4 opponents by a combined 45-8. Even more impressive, four-seed Gentry – who came into the tournament on a six-game losing streak – went home with the trophy following a 4-3 comeback win over Gravette in the final round.
- Nashville’s seniors walked off of Futrell Field for the final time as South Regional champions. They took down previously undefeated Monticello, who had owned the state’s longest active win streak at 24 games, and the Scrapperettes are red hot heading into state as winners of 17 of their past 18 contests.
3A
- DeWitt and Salem roll into state as two of the programs with the longest active win streaks as the Dragonettes have reeled off 22 consecutive and the Lady Greyhounds are the last remaining undefeated squad in Arkansas regardless of classification at 20-0. DeWitt steamrolled through the 3A-4 Regional, outscoring opponents 32-7, while Salem beat Melbourne for the fourth time in 2024 to claim the 3A-2 Region.
- Those who wanted a rematch of last year’s state finals will get their wish. Two-time defending runner-up Atkins against defending state champion Booneville will be the opening game of Thursday’s first round. 3A-3 regional four-seed Atkins took down top-seeded Harding Academy to take that trophy, while Booneville fell by a run each in a semifinal heartbreaker to Lincoln and then Valley Springs in the consolation game.
- Hackett hit a minor slump prior to spring break but since returning to the field in late March the Lady Hornets have been a force. They have won 15 straight games in that span that includes victories over Lincoln and Booneville – twice, along with outscoring the opposition 24-1 in the three games en route to the 3A-1 regional championship.
2A
- If you have followed over the past few days, you know by now Central Arkansas Christian is the Cinderella story heading into state. Sitting at 1-6 three weeks ago, the Lady Mustangs have gotten healthy and worked out the kinks which has led to winning seven of the past eight contests that includes taking the Central Region as a four-seed. Sophomore Kayla Myers’ breakout performance at regionals was key, as she threw three complete games, plus finished 10-for-13 at the plate with seven RBI and two home runs.
- Carlisle and Des Arc were out to prove defending state champion Riverside was not the only contender in the North region and they both did that. Carlisle walked off East Poinsett County in the semifinals and went down to the wire with Riverside in the finals, but were not able to complete the upset. Des Arc also matched the energy of Riverside in a memorable pitcher’s duel between Klaire Womack and Kaylee McDonald, the Lady Eagles just could not match the lone run, but rebounded in the consolation round over EPC.
- Rison’s 9-0 win over Woodlawn in the South final round came as a surprise to some, despite a recent victory over the Lady Bears, but the Lady Wildcats have remained quiet through an impressive run. Following an 0-3 start, they have won 17 of their past 18 games.
1A
- Conference 2 swept Conference 3 in the 1A-2 regional in dominating fashion, as the four squads outscored the opposition 55-12. However, Concord – who boasts trophies for the 1A-2 regular season, district tournament and 1A-2 regional – has separated itself from the pack and is unbeaten against in-class competition.
- Fresh off of a 1A-4 Regional Tournament sweep, the Taylor Lady Tigers are now four wins away from becoming the first team regardless of classification to win seven consecutive state titles. During last season’s title run they joined Foreman (2006-11) as the only program in state history to earn six state championships. Taylor already ranks first in state history for all-time state titles with nine (2005, 2012-13, 2017-19, 2021-23) and has won 21 straight games.
REGIONAL CHAMPIONS
1A-1 – Scranton over County Line 4-3
1A-2 – Concord over Shirley 4-2
1A-3 – Midland over Wonderview 13-2
1A-4 – Taylor over Bradley 2-0
2A-Central – Central Arkansas Christian over Magnet Cove 7-5
2A-North – Riverside over Carlisle 4-2
2A-South – Rison over Woodlawn 9-0
2A-West – Mansfield over Lavaca 10-1
3A-1 – Hackett over Lincoln 7-0
3A-2 – Salem over Melbourne 8-5
3A-3 – Atkins over Mayflower 6-2
3A-4 – DeWitt over Smackover 12-2
4A-East – Bauxite over Brookland 2-0
4A-North – Gentry over Gravette 4-3
4A-South – Nashville over Monticello 7-3
(Cover photo by Jimmy Jones)
