Freshman Wyman continues to shine

Freshman Kylee Wyman has emerged as a top player after being projected as a backup before softball season began.

Wyman is the starting shortstop and leadoff batter for Bentonville (21-5, 11-2), which has won 10 consecutive in 6A-West Conference play after beating Rogers Heritage on Monday. Wyman hit a bases-loaded triple when Bentonville beat Bentonville West 12-2 in a five-inning game. Wyman carried her hot bat into the weekend when she hit a home run in a 6-1 win over Frontenac, Kan. Wyman doubled in the seventh inning and scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly in a 1-0 victory over Heritage on Monday.

For her effort, Wyman is the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Girls Player of the Week. Erik Ramos of Rogers is the NWADG Boys Player of the Week.

Wyman took over at shortstop following an injury to Violet Nguyen. Wyman broke into the Bentonville lineup as the No. 8 hitter and took some swings in the No. 3 hole before settling in at leadoff for most of April.

For the season, Wyman is batting .442 with 10 doubles, 5 home runs, and 30 RBI, both of which leads the team.

“She’s exceeded all expectations, that’s for sure,” Bentonville Coach Kent Early said. “She’s really stepped up and taken over the position. She’s a good hitter, and she has quick hands as a fielder at shortstop.”

Bentonville is rolling after a 1-2 start in conference play that included a 5-4 loss to Bentonville West on March 5. Bentonville started Monday with plenty of momentum after beating Frontenac, Kan., in a non-conference game on Saturday at the Tiger Athletic Complex. Wyman collected two hits and scored three of the six runs for the Tigers, who have a busy schedule this week with games against Rogers Heritage, Springdale and Rogers.

Rogers needed something good to happen in soccer after losing 2-1 at home to Fayetteville in 6A-West Conference play. The Mounties bounced back in a big way when Ramos scored three goals in a 6-0 victory at Fort Smith Southside.

Ramos has 16 goals on the season for Rogers (9-6, 4-1), which continues conference play tonight against Bentonville.

“We’ve been discussing the value of focus and staying consistent as a team,” Rogers Coach Leo Hernandez said. “Erik was hungry to find the net last Friday and his execution was brilliant. He continues to grow as a student-athlete.”