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The Lady Bearkatz were in Mountain Home last week for the 2A State Tournament. Their opening round opponents were the Lavaca Golden Arrows.
The Lady Bearkatz offense was humming early, as they scored in each of the first six innings en route to a 9-2 victory. Sophomore Madison Brokaw led the way for the Katz offense, going 3-4 with three RBI. Tayler Cooper went the distance in the circle, going seven innings allowing two runs on four hits.
The second round opponents were the Parkers Chapel Trojans. This match up was a pitchers duel, and both hurlers went the distance.
Both offenses were held scoreless until the sixth inning, when the top of the Lady Bearkatz lineup came through in a clutch spot. Reagan Rapert reached on a walk and immediately stole second base. Brokaw came through with a double to the gap in right center, and Riley Provence sent a pitch to the same gap to score Brokaw.
Those two runs were all the Katz needed. Cooper went the distance for the second consecutive day, shutting out the Lady Trojans, allowing only five hits while striking out five batters. Lady Bearkatz defeated the Lady Trojans, 2-0.
Saturday’s semifinal match found the Katz meeting the Poyen Indians, the top seeded team in the tournament.
After scoring a run in the top of the first inning, two key fielding gaffes allowed Poyen to score five runs in the bottom half. The Katz clawed back as best as they could, but were facing a very skilled pitcher who ended their tournament run. Rapert led the way offensively with two hits, while Cooper was only charged with three earned runs on five hits. The Lady Bearkatz fell to the Poyen Indians, 6-2.
