Prestigious Tournament

FARMINGTON — The prestige of winning the Farmington Invitational Softball tournament remains undiminished — although Fayetteville dropped out as co-host this year.

“They’re still invited, but we’re trying to have all the games exclusively at Farmington this year,” said assistant coach Steve Morgan.

Fayetteville entered the tournament winless (0-3) and came out the same way. Fayetteville was eliminated in two games this year. The Lady Dawgs were blanked 12-0 by Cabot, then ousted 3-2 by Lincoln, a 4A-1 school that has twice reached the state tournament in coach Beau Collins’ first two seasons with a core group that are now seniors.

Farmington coach Randy Osnes extended invites to local 4A-1 teams, Gravette (3-1), Lincoln (6-3) and Prairie Grove (2-5), traditonal 4A power Mena (1-6), plus the likes of tournament champion Bentonville West (3-1), Cabot (7-2), Conway (5-2), Greenwood (4-0), Sheridan (1-0), Vilonia (4-5). The tournament teams including Farmington (6-2) came in with a combined record of 42-30..

Greenwood 6, Lincoln 5

A pair of home runs by Greenwood were instrumental as the Lady Bulldogs eliminated Lincoln from the tournament Saturday, March 17, by one run. Of the 9 hits allowed by Lincoln pitchers (Ayden Massey and Paige Umberson) 4 runs were scored on the 2 homers by Greenwood.

Greenwood took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but Lincoln rallied to tie the game with a pair of runs in the top of the second. The Lady Wolves captured a 3-2 lead in the top of the third, but Greenwood answered with 3 runs in the bottom of the inning to move back in front, 5-3. Lincoln again forged a comeback tying the game for a second time with 2 runs in the top of the fifth. Greenwood scored the winning run in the bottom of the fifth.

Greenwood junior Mariah Hamilton was 2-of-3 with a home run and 3 RBIs. Lady Bulldogs sophomore Angela Price (1-for-2) added a solo home run. Senior Kimmie Colyer got the win for Greenwood, throwing 3.2 innings, allowing 4 runs on 3 hits and 1 base on balls.

Senior Madison Jones had 2 hits and drove in a run for Lincoln.

Lincoln 3, Fayetteville 2

Saturday morning Lincoln rebounded from Friday’s loss to Bentonville West that dropped them into the consolation bracket. Umberson pitched 5 innings for Lincoln striking out three to pick up the win. Massey drove in a pair of runs for the Lady Wolves.