Bryant topping records
BRYANT — Bryant can boast about winning the previous two state softball championships, but Coach Debbie Clark says the attempt for a third consecutive title has so far been “magical.”
The Lady Hornets (22-0) are not only unbeaten, they are winning by an average of more than nine runs a game and setting state records in the process.
This year’s version of the Lady Hornets, Clark says, is playing at a higher level.
“I have described the season as magical,” Clark said. “They have matured so much physically and mentally. They came back from off season ready to play. They are complete players, but they are not only softball players. These are girls who are going to make an impact in the real world when they graduate.”
Through their first eight 7A/6a-central conference games, the Lady Hornets have outscored their opponents 85-3.
Senior pitcher Peyton Jenkins is 22-0 and has given up only eight earned runs. She has pitched 5 no hitters, has struck out 181 batters and walked only 21.
Senior catcher Jessie Taylor has 10 home runs this season and has 37 for her career.
The team’s batting average is .409; its slugging percentage is .707 and it has already collected a state record 79 doubles this season. The previous record for doubles was 63.
“This is basically the same team we had on the field last year,” Taylor said. “We’ve grown. We’ve got more confidence. We’ve worked out any kinks that we’ve had.”
“I’ve coached teams where I’ve had one or two really good hitters,” Clark said. “And you adjust your lineup to where it revolves around them. I’ve played a lot of short game, until I came here. These girls are beasts. They see the ball. They hit the ball. They make adjustments. It doesn’t matter if you throw fast or slow, curve or drop balls, they’re just good hitters.”
With so many power hitters in the Lady Hornets’ lineup, Jenkins goes to the pitching circle with plenty of confidence.
“It’s always been that way,” said Jenkins, whose earned run average is 0.43. “We’ve all grown up together, so I’ve got faith in them that they will back me up if I do make a mistake.”
With her 10 home runs, 37 RBI and a slugging percentage of .969, Taylor is the team’s top offensive threat, but the Lady Hornets have five other girls with 22 or more RBI.
Senior outfielder Kayla Sory has 6 home runs and 35 RBI; sophomore first baseman Kaley Coppock also has 6 home runs and had driven in 22 runs; Jenkins has 4 home runs, 28 RBI and a team-high 17 doubles; senior lead-off hitter Jenna Bruick has scored a team-high 35 runs and she has already broken the state record for career singles with 114.
“I’m just sitting back and enjoying it,” Clark said.
SEARCY
Results still the same
Searcy Coach Walter King had to replace the majority of last season’s team, and after a shaky start, the Lions seem to be up to their old tricks.
The Lions, winners of five consecutive state soccer championships, won their first seven conference games this season by a combined score of 35-2.
“This is a young team,” said King, after his team defeated Little Rock Hall 6-0 on Tuesday. “We lost 14 seniors off of last year’s team. I’ve got two returning seniors and only one with any experience. The rest of them are juniors and sophomores and I’m even starting a couple of freshmen.”
Junior center midfielder Evan Scarbrough has scored a team-high 12 goals while junior Cam Woodruff has eight goals.
“We lost our first two games, but since then, we’ve come together as a team,” King said. “We’re starting to look like more of what we’ve looked like in the past, so hopefully we’re on that road to success.”
King said he has been very proud of the Lions’ back line, which consists of juniors Conner Mcclellan, Daquan Perry and Cody Redman and freshman A.J. Maizon.
Searcy shut out seven of its first eight conference opponents. Jonesboro scored twice against the Lions, but lost 3-2.
“It hasn’t been all easy for us,” King said. “But we have played well for the most part.”
EXTRAS
Little Rock Christian senior pitcher
Josh Alberius tossed a no-hitter and drove in the lone run in the Warriors’ 1-0 victory over Central Arkansas Christian on Thursday. Alberius struck out nine and walked two. ... Little Rock Hall Lady Warriors guard
Tyler Scaife has been selected to participate in the USA basketball trials for the 18U in Colorado Springs, Colo., on May 18-21. The women’s College Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn., has requested Tyler’s game jersey to be hung in the hall in recognition of her play during the 2011-2012 season. Her jersey will be on display for one year. ... El Dorado’s girls earned their fourth consecutive 6A-south Conference soccer title Friday with a 1-0 victory over Sheridan. El Dorado is 13-2 overall and 8-0 in league play.