Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
SIGNING DAY ROUNDUP
SOFTBALL BAILEY ELMORE
SCHOOL Gravette SIGNING WITH Southwest Baptist
NOTABLE Was a threeyear starter and already a two-time allstate selection for the Lady Lions heading into her senior season. … Finished 10-3 with 3 saves and a 2.14 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 85 innings in the circle last season. … Added 3 home runs and 18 RBIs at the plate last year.
QUOTABLE “It means everything. Since I was little this was one of my biggest dreams is to play in college, so it’s exciting.”
GABBI SCOTT
SCHOOL Gravette SIGNING WITH Central Arkansas
NOTABLE Was a threeyear starter and two-time all-state selection in the outfield for the Lady Lions as she heads into her senior season. … Batted a team-best .469 with 39 stolen bases, 37 runs scored; had two games with 5 stolen bases as the lead-off hitter last season.
QUOTABLE “It’s like all your dreams are becoming a reality. It’s something you’ve looked forward to when you were little and it’s finally happening. It’s like you’re on a high, everything’s just happening.” — Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB
BASEBALL CADE APPLEMAN
SCHOOL Bentonville High
SIGNING WITH Arkansas-Fort Smith NOTABLE The Tigers’ outfielder expects to play a similar position with the Lions. … Hit .339 in 59 atbats last season … Of his 20 base hits, five were for extra bases (three doubles, two triples). … Drove in 16 runs and scored 17 times last spring.
QUOTABLE “Now we start working for a state championship. We’ve worked for it all and we keep working. I think we are going to do it this year. That’s the top of our priorities. There was nobody else in the mix. I’m glad UAFS offered, and I’m glad I signed with them. Couldn’t be happier.” — Henry Apple • @NWAHenry
MASON DAGLEY
SCHOOL Gravette SIGNING WITH Arkansas-Fort Smith
NOTABLE Has been a three-year starter for the Lions and earned all-conference honors last season. … Dealt with a nagging injury from football last season and adjusted to moving to the lead-off spot, but was a plus defender in center field, which is where he’s expected to play in college.
QUOTABLE “This day means a lot to me, just getting to see everyone. We’re having a good time. This is a big day for the three girls signing and myself. There’s no way to explain it. It’s just a lot of emotions, a lot of happiness and a little bit of sadness.” — Paul Boyd • @NWAPaulB
SAM GOLDEN
SCHOOL Bentonville
High
SIGNING WITH Central Missouri
NOTABLE Earned allstate honors as a catcher last spring. … Hit .356 in 73 at-bats with the Tigers last season. … He hit seven doubles and one triple out of his 26 hits, and he drove in 18 runs. … Could play catcher with the Mules, but he said there are also options for a corner infielder or an outfielder spot because of his good speed.
QUOTABLE “It’s time to jump on the train, get moving and get myself prepared. First, I need to finish this school year off strong, take care of my academics. After that, I need to get in the best shape of my life, go up there and compete for a spot as soon as I can. I want to carry my name well, carry the love of God well and make a name for myself.” — Henry Apple • @NWAHenry
IAN JACKSON
SCHOOL Lincoln SIGNING WITH Lyon College
NOTABLE Left-handed pitcher who went 4-1 with a 3.22 ERA last spring as a junior. .. Also, a lead-off batter who hit .292 and stole 14 bases in 31 games. … Carries a 3.9 grade point average.
QUOTABLE “The baseball team at Lyon is more like a family. I felt like the coaches really do try to get to know the players. Lyon is a school with good academics and academics come first for me.” — Rick Fires • @ NWARick
SAWYER PRICE
SCHOOL Bentonville High
SIGNING WITH Harding
NOTABLE A two-sport athlete as he split his time between basketball, where he was Bentonville’s starting point guard, and baseball. … Saw limited playing time last year, but is expected to contribute more this year as a hitter. … Could play a role in pitching when he gets to Harding.
QUOTABLE “I’m definitely excited about basketball season around the corner, but I’m also itching for spring to get back out on the diamond and play with my guys here. It’s pretty evident Harding is a Christian college in a Christian community. It’s something I desire, and I’ve always been drawn to it.” — Henry Apple • @NWAHenry
CALEB WILSON
SCHOOL Bentonville
High
SIGNING WITH Allen County Community College
NOTABLE Didn’t see much action last spring, but he hopes to make a solid impact with the Tigers next spring. … Hopes to earn a spot in the starting pitching rotation next spring.
QUOTABLE “I have to work on many things, and I’m going to start doing what’s best for me and what’s best for the team. I knew a bunch of people who are already going there, so I really wanted to go. They had my major, they had everything I wanted and I was able to get all my classes done.” — Henry Apple • @NWAHenry
GIRLS BASKETBALL LEXI MILLER
SCHOOL Van Buren SIGNING WITH Henderson State
NOTABLE The 5-foot-7 point guard led the Lady Pointers to the Class 6A state tournament as a junior. … Averaged 11 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 2 steals per game.
QUOTABLE “This day is all about opportunity. An opportunity to get an education, while continuing to play the game I love. An opportunity to join a great program and play for a coach that is all in helping her players be successful on as well as off the floor. “
GIRLS TRACK CASSIDY MOONEYHAN
SCHOOL Pea Ridge SIGNED WITH South Dakota
NOTABLE Mooneyhan was named to the All-Arkansas Academic track and field team last spring. … Is a 5-time state champion in the pole vault. … Won the 2019 Meet of Champions in the pole vault.
QUOTABLE “Getting to further my academic and athletic career at USD is such an awesome opportunity for me. I will be training with Derek Miles, a three-time Olympian and 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist in the pole vault. I’m very excited to see what the future holds. It means the world to me that these last five years of hard work have paid off immensely.”