Bentonville overpowers Rogers for Rumble title

RIVER CITY RUMBLE FINAL BENTONVILLE 7, ROGERS 0 (5)

VAN BUREN — Make it four River City Rumble championships in a row for the Bentonville Lady Tiger softball team.

The tournament wasn’t held last year because of covid-19 and in 2019 it was called off because of rain. The return was worth the wait for Bentonville.

The Lady Tigers capped off a 6-0 two-day record at the tournament with a 7-0 five-inning win Saturday against Rogers High in the title game at the Field of Dreams.

“We absolutely love this tournament,” Bentonville coach Kent Early said. “It always gives us a chance to play teams you normally don’t play. It is a break from the norm. It is a good atmosphere. The setting is gorgeous. We love coming down here and playing a ton of games.”

Bentonville’s offense was fueled by No. 8 hitter Kadence Stafford and No. 9 hitter Alleyna Rushing setting the table for leadoff hitter Emily Perry. Stafford finished 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and an RBI. Rushing finished 3-for-3 with a triple, two runs scored and an RBI.

“Their job is to turn the lineup over, and that is exactly what they did,” Early said of Stafford and Rushing. “They are probably the fastest two kids we have on the team. They compete well. I’m so proud of those two. It’s important to be good one through nine. I’m proud of their growth as players.”

Perry took full advantage of runners being on for her atbats. She finished 2-for-3 with a home run, a run scored and four RBI.

“She played so well for us with the big home run and did her job with the sac fly in another at-bat,” Early said. “She’s a senior, and that’s why she is there in the leadoff spot. She is a dang good hitter. We are going to put the best kids like her up front. She is an athlete and is awesome for us.”

The Lady Tigers’ offense was backed behind a strong pitching performance from McKenzie Vaughan. She pitched all five innings, allowing just two hits and getting 10 strikeouts.

It was an unsuccessful start on both offense and defense for Bentonville to start the game, but things quickly changed in the second inning. The Lady Tigers opened the championship game by loading the bases on offense but couldn’t get a runner across home plate.

In the bottom of the inning on defense, Vaughan hit the first batter and the defense made an error to put two runners on without an out. Vaughan then got three consecutive strikeouts and controlled the game after that for Bentonville.

“We had an opportunity to score in that first inning, but we couldn’t take advantage of it,” Rogers coach Mike Harper said. “It could’ve been a little bit of a different game if we come through there. But Bentonville is a really good team. I was proud of the way our kids competed and the growth we had this weekend.”

Bentonville’s offense was able to breakthrough after shutting down the rally. Perry hit a three-run home run to give the Lady Tigers a 3-0 lead in the top of the second.

Bentonville added three more runs in the fourth inning with a four-hit inning. Stafford started the rally with a bunt single, followed by an RBI triple by Rushing, a sacrifice fly by Perry and an RBI double by Vaughan for a 6-0 cushion.

Stafford capped off the scoring in the game with a fifth-inning home run to give Bentonville a 7-0 lead in the time-shortened game. After Rogers was able to get backto-back runners to reach base, Vaughan allowed just two additional runners to reach in the following four innings.

“She controlled the zone and was in charge,” Early said. “Errors are going to happen in softball. But she really settled in and competed after that first inning. Getting strikeouts helps a lot to end any rally.”

During its first game of the tournament on Friday, Bentonville was able to beat Russellville 25-0 while hitting 10 home runs. The fireworks continued all weekend for the Lady Tigers in a perfect weekend for the team. They also only allowed two runs in six games over the weekend.

Several school records were broken over the weekend. The 10-home run game was a program record, breaking the previous mark of eight in 2018. Perry is now in the record books with a home run hit in four consecutive games. Kenzie Derryberry and Ryann Sanders both made school history with three home runs in a single game as well.

“It was a fantastic weekend for us,” Early said. “In that Russellville game, you always look for that moment in a season when it clicks for a team. We have been harping on these kids. We just needed time together and to put a streak together. It is a great week when you win two conference games and six tournament games. We’ll enjoy this now, but it will be back to work after this.”

In the other bracket, Bryant was able to win the consolation championship over Alma with a 4-1 victory. Abby Gentry and Alissa Suarez each had home runs for Bryant. Suarez finished with four home runs in her four games Saturday.