By STEVE KNOX
Sports Connection Team
HOT SPRINGS - Gosnell used a four run fifth inning to overcome a 3-1 Smackover lead and went on to post a 5-4 victory over the Lady Buckaroos Thursday at the 3A State Softball Tournament at Majestic Park in Hot Springs. The State Tournament win was the first in school history in their first ever game. The Lady Buckaroos took the lead in the bottom of the first inning when a passed ball allowed a run to score to make it 1-0 Smackover.
The score remained the same until the fourth inning when senior Mandy Scissell grounded out and scored a run to tie the game at 1-1. In the bottom of the inning doubles by Smackover’s Ava Walker and Natalie Goodwin scored Paige Ainsworth and Walker to give the Lady Buckaroos a 3-1 lead.
Gosnell would explode for four runs in the top of the fifth inning as Cheyanna Trapp doubled scoring Leilah Prude and Anna Claire Smith. Natalie Moresco then tripled scoring Trapp to give Gosnell a 4-3 lead. Moresco later tagged up and scored on a fly ball by Savana Gist to give the Lady Pirates a 5-3 advantage.
Smackover would get a run in the bottom of the seventh but Gist would slam the door on the Lady Buckaroos comeback attempt and Gosnell would take the victory.
Walker took the loss for Smackover allowing five runs (all earned) on eight Lady Pirate hits, while walking two and striking out four Gosnell batters.
Prude and Trapp both picked up two hits to pace the Gosnell offense. Smackover managed five hits and scored four runs and was paced by Emily Camacho who had two hits.
Gist took the win for the Lady Pirates giving up four runs (three earned) in her seven innings of work. Gist walked three and struck out 15 including the final two hitters to end the game.
Smackover finished the 2024 season with a record of 15-9. Gosnell improved to 17-5 overall and advanced to the semifinals against Atkins.