Seasoned Lady Pats ready to open run at state

Seasoned Lady Pats ready to open run at state

Marion to play Siloam Springs or Lake Hamilton on Friday at 3 p. m.

Sports Editor The calendar may say that the year is 2016, but veteran Marion softball coach David Horton is constantly reminded of 2006.

For starters, his latest edition of Lady Patriot softball is getting ready for the state tournament, the 16th appearance that Marion will make in the postseason under his guidance.

The 2006 Lady Pats won the school’s only state softball title, and while this year’s top prize has yet to be awarded, Horton sees a lot of similarities between the squads.

“Well, we had a lot of really good players on that (2006) team,” Horton said with a laugh. “I feel like we have a lot on this team, too. And not even just stars or big names, but also some really good role players that come through for us. Everyone knows about Mabry Watson or Raygan Shelton, but we wouldn’t be where we are without someone like Micah Tolleson behind the plate, or Kristin Bolton in centerfield. Even Morgan Weaver, she’s played a lot for us the past two years, and she’s had a great year.” Those players named are just five of Marion’s seven seniors, and all will be counted on extensively in Sheridan this week as the team looks to make one, final run together.

“They’ve all been in state tournaments, some have even been in four of them,” Horton said of his seniors’ postseason chops. “That’s important, because you look at experience as being on your side. It can backfire sometimes, a senior may not have the best year of their career, but sometimes you do. I think this year’s group, at least for the most part, is all playing the best softball of their careers these past few weeks.”

Marion has advanced to the Class 6A state semifinals the past two seasons, each time losing to Sheridan, including a 4-0 loss in last season’s final four at Lady Patriot Field. Sheridan ended up losing to Greenwood in the Class 6A state title.

For the second straight season, Marion is the No. 1 seed from the 6A-East after posting a 5-1 record against their league rivals in 2016, which gives the Lady Pats a bye to the Quarterfinal round of the postseason.

That bye could cut either way, according to Horton.

“There are advantages to either way,” admits the coach. “I’m kind of like (Marion volleyball coach Lisa) Beasley in that the first game you can shake some jitters and things like that by not playing in the first round. On the other side, with a bye, you can go and scout your first opponent, and I like doing that. We can see where their strengths and weaknesses and work on that.”

Marion (17-6 overall, 10-4 7A/6A-East) doesn’t know exactly who they will play on Friday at 3 p.m., but they do know that it will be either Lake Hamilton (1012 overall, 7-4 6A-South), the No. 4 seed from the 6ASouth or Siloam Springs (16-10 overall, 6-5 7A/6ACentral), the No. 3 seed from the 6A-Central. That game will be played on Thursday at 3 p.m.

“I think Siloam has really good pitchers, where Lake Hamilton is pretty young, but they’re athletic,” said Horton. “Both teams will be really tough to contend with. A few years ago, some people were saying that Lake Hamilton had the worst team that Lake Hamilton ever had, until they wound up winning the state tournament, so you just don’t ever know this time of year, it comes down to who’s playing well.”

As far as common opponents between Marion, Siloam Springs and Lake Hamilton, there are a handful. Siloam Springs topped Mountain Home 13-3 in March, while Lake Hamilton lost an 11-6 decision to North Little Rock and a 15-0 game to Cabot.

Marion split with North Little Rock in April, and was swept at home by Cabot in March.

If Marion should win its Quarterfinal game, it will advance to the state semifinals where they could face Benton, a perennial softball power. The Lady Panthers won the 2014 Class 6A title and lost in last season’s semifinals to Greenwood, the eventual state champion.

The Class 6A state semifinals will be played at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and the 2016 Class 6A state title game will be played on Saturday, May 21 at Bogle Park on the campus of the University of Arkansas. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

By Chuck Livingston