Griggs throws no-hitter to blank Prairie Grove

FARMINGTON — Farmington evened its conference record at 1-1 with an 11-0 run-rule victory over its No. 1 rival Prairie Grove on Thursday, March 28, at Randy Osnes Field.

Senior hurler Kennedy Griggs (6-2) threw an no-hitter over 5 shutout innings, striking out 3. She issued 2 walks and beaned two batters, but the Lady Cardinals turned two double plays to negate those free bases and didn’t commit a single error. First baseman Mallory Sills made the most plays with nine.

Farmington dropped its league opener, 6-2, at Pea Ridge two days earlier on March 26. The rivalry win versus Prairie Grove got the Lady Cardinals back on track.

“Kennedy did a great job other than a couple of walks and a couple of batters hit by pitches. We turned two double plays so defensively we were there all night, and then a 5-inning, no-hitter, that’s a great pitching performance,” said Farmington coach Jason Shirey. “We got the run rule. We were able to score enough runs to get to that point. It’s a good bounce back win from Tuesday.”

Prairie Grove coach Dave Torres acknowledged Griggs’ pitching performance.

“Give that girl credit, she pitched a good game today and she threw the ball real well so that was a lot to do with the problems at the plate,” Torres said.

Griggs enjoyed every minute, relishing the rivalry while basking in winning the softball bragging rights from the annual ‘Battle of 62’ or right to say the highway, which connects the adjacent communities, belongs to Farmington for 2024.

“It was really fun playing against them and always having that rivalry against them. Obviously, it’s always good to have 62 and being the bigger team, but I’m really glad that my team was behind me for every pitch and every play. They came back with the bats every time that I struck someone out,” Griggs said.

Prairie Grove started well, working through the top of the order to keep Farmington off the scoreboard in the first inning.

“We’re young, every game we play helps us. We’re just really, really young. We’re making progress along the way and then we’ll take a couple of steps back, then we’ll get going again,” Torres said. “We’ll keep working. They keep fighting hard, they’re battlers, they battle hard. They’re coachable and it’s going to take some time, but they’re going to be a good club here sooner or later.”

After an inning-and-ahalf with no score, the Lady Cardinals (7-2, 1-1) provided staunch run support by scoring 7 runs in the bottom of the second inning.

Designated hitter Chloie Thomas broke the ice with a groundout, scoring a run bringing up the top of the order. Reese Shirey drove in 2 runs with a double. Morgan Uher followed with a double that drove in a run.

Prairie Grove was hurt by an error that allowed a run to score.

Isabella Hulsey (1 for 3, home run, 2 RBIs, run scored) capped the rally by homering over the left field wall, which tacked on 2 more runs. In half an inning the complexion of the game completely changed with Farmington taking command.

The Lady Cardinals put the game away by scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the fourth, then maintained the shutout in the top of the fifth.

Griggs numbers her pitches, aware that as a senior her days in a Lady Cardinal uniform are winding down. She cherishes the moments spent alongside teammates, coaches, classmates and others throughout a community, which whole heartedly supports the high school softball program. She’s not taking things for granted.

“I think it’s really, really fun to come out here and compete at the Allegiant level that we do get to compete at against some teams that some players don’t get to compete with at all. I’m really, really blessed to be here and I’m blessed to be in this town and with this community and I love them very, very much,” Griggs said. “I can’t believe that I’m leaving this year, but I’m glad every moment that I spend with them and I’m thankful for this whole community and organization that we have.”

Farmington racked up 10 hits in the game, led by Amia Carr (3 for 3, RBI, triple 2 runs scored) and Shirey (3 for 3, 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored). Both enjoyed perfect days at the plate.

Four different Lady Cardinals, Uher (2 for 3, double, 2 runs scored), Hulsey, Mallory Sills (1 for 3, double, run scored), and Shirey, drove in 2 runs apiece for Farmington. Collectively Farmington went 10 for 24 in the batter’s box.

“I’m happy for our kids, it’s a good win,” Jason Shirey said.

Angelina Petersen was charged with the loss for Prairie Grove. She started in the chalked circle and surrendered 11 runs (8 earned) on 10 hits over 4 innings. Petersen had one strikeout and walked two.