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Paragould-based softball team wins USSSA World Series again
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| The Arkansas Heat of Paragould captured the USSSA World Series softball tournament championship last weekend in Independence, Mo. Team members are, front from left, Addison McCreless, Courtney Barnes, Kiana Cole, Katie Lomax and Braxton Burnside; second row, Chase Nelson, Destry Mallard, Claire Brown, Samantha Scott and Madison Manley; back, coach Harold Burnside, sponsor Kenny Lomax and coaches Tim Scott, Darrell McCreless and Rex Nelson. Courtesy photo |
By MIKE McKINNEY
sports@paragoulddailypress.com
It’s a repeat for the Arkansas Heat.
The Arkansas Heat, a Paragould-based 10-and-under girls softball team, won the USSSA World Series championship for the second year in a row last weekend, defeating the Quakes of Omaha, Neb. 10-5 in the title game at Independence, Mo.
The Heat bounced back from its only loss of the tourney, a 6-5 defeat at the hands of the Quakes on Sunday morning, and reeled off three straight wins that same day. After a winner’s bracket final loss to the Omaha team, the Heat rebounded and beat a St. Louis team 12-1 before grounding the Quakes twice, 5-4 and 10-5, to repeat as World Series champs.
The Heat, with several members of this year’s team, captured the 9-and-under USSSA World Series title in 2007.
Excellent pitching was a big key for the Heat in its 2008 championship run.
Chase Nelson of Paragould was chosen Tournament Most Valuable Player. Nelson went 5-1 on the mound in the tournament, throwing a no-hitter, a one-hitter and a two-hitter while striking out 48 batters.
Braxton Burnside of Piggott — who finished the tournament 4-0 with 20 Ks — was voted the tournament’s top pitcher award. She and Samantha Scott, who is from Tipton, Tenn., combined to no-hit Club ATK Attack of Iowa.
In addition, Scott had just one pitching decision, but it came in the 5-4 victory over the Quakes that forced the “if necesary” game for the championship.
Other members of the World Series champions are Destry Mallard, Addison McCreless, Courtney Barnes and Kiana Cole, all of Paragould; Katie Lomax of Lake City; Madison Manley of Jonesboro; and Claire Brown of Marked Tree.
Offensively, in World Series action, Mallard led the way with 17 hits in 22 at-bats to go with a .767 batting average and .772 on-base percentage.
Barnes contributed 14 hits with a .636 batting avg. and .643 on-base pct. and drew six walks.
Cole had 11 hits and drew 11 walks and batted .423. She had a .500 on-base pct.
Brown had 19 hits and finished with a. 500 batting avg, and .594 on-base pct.
Manley banged out 14 hits and had a .438 batting avg. and a .526 on-base pct.
Burnside batted .609 (14 of 23 with 13 walks) and had a .750 on-base pct.
Nelson had 17 hits in 29 at-bats (.586) with six walks and had a .657 on-base percentage.
Head coach Rex Nelson of Paragould received the manager of the year award following the tournament.
The Heat won 10 of 11 games in the tournament, running its season record to 63-9, and also took home the sportsmanship award.
Tony Manley of The Jonesboro Sun contributed to this report.
The Arkansas Heat, a Paragould-based 10-and-under girls softball team, won the USSSA World Series championship for the second year in a row last weekend, defeating the Quakes of Omaha, Neb. 10-5 in the title game at Independence, Mo.
The Heat bounced back from its only loss of the tourney, a 6-5 defeat at the hands of the Quakes on Sunday morning, and reeled off three straight wins that same day. After a winner’s bracket final loss to the Omaha team, the Heat rebounded and beat a St. Louis team 12-1 before grounding the Quakes twice, 5-4 and 10-5, to repeat as World Series champs.
The Heat, with several members of this year’s team, captured the 9-and-under USSSA World Series title in 2007.
Excellent pitching was a big key for the Heat in its 2008 championship run.
Chase Nelson of Paragould was chosen Tournament Most Valuable Player. Nelson went 5-1 on the mound in the tournament, throwing a no-hitter, a one-hitter and a two-hitter while striking out 48 batters.
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In addition, Scott had just one pitching decision, but it came in the 5-4 victory over the Quakes that forced the “if necesary” game for the championship.
Other members of the World Series champions are Destry Mallard, Addison McCreless, Courtney Barnes and Kiana Cole, all of Paragould; Katie Lomax of Lake City; Madison Manley of Jonesboro; and Claire Brown of Marked Tree.
Offensively, in World Series action, Mallard led the way with 17 hits in 22 at-bats to go with a .767 batting average and .772 on-base percentage.
Barnes contributed 14 hits with a .636 batting avg. and .643 on-base pct. and drew six walks.
Cole had 11 hits and drew 11 walks and batted .423. She had a .500 on-base pct.
Brown had 19 hits and finished with a. 500 batting avg, and .594 on-base pct.
Manley banged out 14 hits and had a .438 batting avg. and a .526 on-base pct.
Burnside batted .609 (14 of 23 with 13 walks) and had a .750 on-base pct.
Nelson had 17 hits in 29 at-bats (.586) with six walks and had a .657 on-base percentage.
Head coach Rex Nelson of Paragould received the manager of the year award following the tournament.
The Heat won 10 of 11 games in the tournament, running its season record to 63-9, and also took home the sportsmanship award.
Tony Manley of The Jonesboro Sun contributed to this report.
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| NEA Moving-up tournament set at Jonesboro | PHS begins fall drills on Monday |
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