Strickland’s slam, pitching lead Rogers Heritage to win

FAYETTEVILLE — Joclyn Strickland took matters into her own hands Tuesday.

Strickland hit a grand slam and pitched a complete game to lead Rogers Heritage to a 10-2 victory over Fayetteville at the Fayetteville High School Softball Complex.

Heritage was already ahead 4-0 when Strickland came to bat with the bases loaded in the top of the second inning. Strickland jumped on the first pitch from Linly Chapman and lifted a high fly that easily cleared the wall in left for a grand slam and an 8-0 lead for the War Eagles, who ended a three-game losing streak.

“I was ready,” Strickland said. “I knew I was going to swing at the first pitch no matter what.”

Strickland also had a double in the first inning to score Karlee Earl, who got Heritage (10-5, 3-2 6A-West) started with a one-out double.

Heritage outhit Fayetteville 8-6. Heritage made four errors but there were also some standout defensive plays, especially in center field by Kyler Strickland and by Earl at shortstop. Earle made a diving catch deep in the hole in the fourth inning, while Kyler Strickland made a diving catch in center field to record the first out in the bottom of the seventh against Fayetteville (5-5, 2-4).

“Kyler plays every ball hard,” Heritage Coach Rodney Bowen said. “We see plays like that every day from her in practice. She approaches every ball in that manner. She’s a lot of fun to watch and a lot of fun to coach.”

The War Eagles scored six runs in the second inning to take an 8-0 lead.

Ella Pacheco had a single in the third inning when Fayetteville scored a run after a twoout throwing error. Fayetteville did not score after loading the bases in the fifth inning and the Bulldogs managed one run after loading the bases in the sixth inning.

“Joclyn pitched out of jams and minimized it,” Bowen said. “She started half the games last year for us as a freshman, and there were growing pains. That’s a lot of pressure to put on a freshman in this conference and she made a commitment during the offseason to get better. We’re seeing the benefit of the work she’s put in.”

BENTONVILLE 7, FORT SMITH NORTHSIDE 3

Amber Turner and Anna Lee Kulka each had three hits to lead the Lady Tigers to a 6A-West Conference home victory over the Lady Bears. Turner scored two runs and had two RBI, while Kulka had one run and one RBI.

Ryann Sanders went the distance for Bentonville (5-2, 3-2), allowing three unearned runs with seven strikeouts.

Malia Burnett and Mallory Craig each drove in runs for Northside (3-6, 0-5), while Amariah Greene scored two runs.

SPRINGDALE HAR-BER 11, FORT SMITH SOUTHSIDE 0

Har-Ber scored four runs in the third inning and seven in the fifth to walk off the Lady Mavericks in 6A-West play.

Jasmine Thomas hit a two-run home run to end the game for Har-Ber. Bell Haney and Savannah Woods also hit home runs for the Lady Wildcats (10-2, 6-0). Woods, Xiomara Sanchez and Bryley Bratcher each had two hits for Har-Ber.

Cyarah Dotts pitched five scoreless innings with six strikeouts for Har-Ber. Southside (0-7, 0-4) had one hit each from Nadirah Alaidi and Calli Culverson.

ROGERS 14, SPRINGDALE 0

Khyleigh Kelly had 3 hits, 4 RBI and scored 2 runs as the Lady Mounties (8-1, 5-1) defeated the Lady Bulldogs (3-8, 1-5).

Lauryn Heinle added 2 hits, 2 runs and 2 RBI, while Ryleigh Johnson had 2 hits and scored 2 runs.

Talyn Jackson added 2 RBI for the Lady Mounties.

Kadence Janney and Daylyn Osborne combined on a five-inning shutout.