C2D1 Softball: Neelyville downs Kelly to advance to district final

BENTON — The Neelyville Lady Tigers hit the road Friday and took down Kelly 6-1 to advance to the Class 2, District 1 Tournament championship.

It was a gloomy afternoon for softball in Benton as it sprinkled off and on during the first few innings but that didn't dampen the spirit of the players or those in attendance as it was a packed crowd at Kelly High School for the semifinals as Neelyville was able to get its revenge on the Lady Hawks after a lopsided loss earlier in the season.

“I’m just very proud,” he said. “It’s been a long season. From where started to where we are now with all the changes. I haven’t done this in a while and I’ve gotten a lot of help from my other coaches and my administration. I’m just thankful for them. This has been a group effort all the way around. Administration, parents, coaches, we’re building a family atmosphere. I’m just proud of them, very proud.”

Jade Crosswhite singled in the top of the first to start the game as she would later score to give the Lady Tigers the only lead it would need in the game.

The Tigers added another in the third and four in the sixth to take a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth with the home team up to bat.

An error helped the Hawks get their lone run of the game as September Preslar did her job in the circle throughout the game for Neelyville.

“I’m just glad that we played tough and we came together throughout the season,” she said. “The beginning of the season, when we played against Kelly, it was rough and I’m just glad our team held it together.”

Preslar went seven innings snd struck out four while only having one walk in the game.

“As a pitcher, you’re in the circle and you have to be the leader,” she said. “If I’m composed, my team will stay composed but if I fall apart, the team is going to fall apart. In order for them to stay positive and keep playing, I need to stay positive and keep them up if they get down.”

Delaney Dobbins and Parker Ernst each had two hits for the Lady Tigers with Ernst added two RBIs. Reese Dobbins scored twice while Crosswhite also scored twice in the victory.

Madyson Johnson and Gwendolyn Essner each finished with two hits for the Lady Hawks in the loss.

Neelyville is familiar with the Lady Devils already this year as they fell 5-4 back on Oct. 25.

The Lady Tigers play Chaffee at 5 p.m. Monday at Kelly.

“We’ve got to be better Monday than we are today,” Sexton said. “We played well yesterday against Twin Rivers, we have to be better than today, we’ll have to get better for Monday. They don’t make mistakes … We’ll have to be at our best.”