Downs boosts Taylor

FAYETTEVILLE — Freshman Lindsey Downs fired a three-hitter to lift Taylor to a 3-0 victory over Scranton in the Class 1A state softball championship game at Bogle Park.

Downs bear-hugged catcher McKenzie Boyett after finishing the game with her fifth strikeout. The duo quickly was engulfed by the rest of the team celebrating its second state championship under fifth-year Coach Adam Camp.

“It’s awesome. We started Jan. 1 with two-a-days, and the hard work paid off,” Camp said. “Our freshman, she’s been in tough situations for a long time and her experience as well as our defense — we pride our self on our defense — backing her up made the difference.”

It was only the third time Scranton (25-8) had been shutout this season. Both previous shutouts came against schools from larger classifications.

Lady Rockets Coach Dustin Peters put together a challenging nonconference slate, which included victories against Class 6A Russellville, and Class 7A teams Alma and Bentonville West. They beat Bentonville West freshman and Florida State pledge Halie Wacaser 4-1 during a tournament in early April, but Taylor’s freshman pitcher was an unsolved puzzle.

“She did a good job at getting ahead with first-pitch strikes,” Peters said of Downs. “She kept us off balanced and kept the ball down, and we just didn’t hit the ball.

“We beat some 7A state tournament teams, and I think that tough schedule is one of the reasons we got here.”

The first hit off Scranton senior pitcher Kirklyn Kremers was a double off the center-field wall by Laura Lane in the fourth inning. Lane advanced to third on an infield single by Jasmyn Copeland before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Preslie Morgan to spot the Lady Tigers (30-4) a 1-0 lead.

Taylor played small ball to add two insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Three consecutive bunts resulted in two singles and a throwing error, which allowed Copeland to score. Another bunt single by Lexi Nolte drove in the third run.

“Down deep, yes, I thought one run would be enough the way [Downs] was pitching,” Camp said. “But I had seen them come back to beat Concord with a home run, so I knew we needed to manufacture something with some bunts and some small ball. That’s something we haven’t had to do a lot.”

Camp credited former coach Elisa Millican, who was in attendance, with mentoring him and laying the foundation for Taylor’s successful program. The program also won a state title in 2013, Camp’s first season as head coach.