Slava Walker News Today

The high school softball season in Union County featured parity with all of the teams competing on similar levels. Only one school advanced to the state tournament - Smackover, which qualified in Class 3A. Individually, several players managed to separate themselves from the pack and combine to form the News-Times All-Area Softball Team.

TEXARKANA - Conference champion DeWitt pounded out 14 hits and beat Smackover 12-2 Saturday night in the championship game of the 3A 4 Regional Softball Tournament, hosted by Genoa Central. The Lady Bucks fell to 15-8 on the season. Smackover will meet Gosnell in the 3A State Tournament Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.

TEXARKANA - Smackover advanced to the championship game of the 3A 4 Regional Tournament with an 11-1 win over Fouke Saturday. The Lady Bucks were scheduled to play DeWitt for the championship Saturday night.

TEXARKANA - Freshman Ava Walker threw a two-hitter and senior Presley Ainsworth drove in five runs Friday as Smackover blanked Benton Harmony Grove 10-0 in the 3A 4 Regional Tournament. The Lady Bucks, who earned a berth in next week’s 3A State Tournament, will face Fouke Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

Last season Smackover did not advance to the state softball tournament for the first time in a decade.

MONTICELLO - Smackover scored seven runs in the fourth inning and downed Drew Central 13-4 in 3A 8 softball action on Thursday. The Lady Bucks improved to 10-4, 7-1.

JUNCTION CITY - El Dorado collected 13 hits, including three home runs Thursday in a 13-10, come-from-behind win at Junction City. The Lady Wildcats improved to 4-6 and will host White Hall on Friday. The Lady Dragons fell to 8-5 and will travel to Ouachita on Friday.

SMACKOVER - Freshman pitcher Ava Walker twirled a two-hit shutout Monday to hurl Smackover to a 10-0 win over Junction City in non-conference action.

SMACKOVER - Smackover piled up 13 hits Thursday in a 13-4 conference victory over Harmony Grove. The Lady Bucks improved to 5-3 overall and 3-0 in 3A 8 action.

FOX CHAPEL — North Catholic was thrown off its game — but not off its throne. The Trojanettes survived 22 turnovers against Elizabeth Forward in their WPIAL 4A girls basketball semifinal Tuesday night...