Bulldogs place third in conference tourney

The McCurtain High School softball team won third place in the Riverside Athletic Conference Tournament on Sept. 4, with a 4-3 victory over the Keota Lions.
The Bulldogs lost to Keota in the first round, 12-4, on Sept. 2, but bounced back on Saturday against Gore with a one-hitter from pitcher Sydnie Tackett, McCurtain won the game 3-0 to advance to the third place game.
McCurtain held a 3-1 deficit to Keota until the fifth and final inning due to the tournament time limit rules. McCurtain got hits from Faith Resendiz, Denise Yaws and Brooklyn Vails to start the inning. Freshman Jerica Baker hit a two-RBI walk-off single to score Yaws and Vails and win third place at the tournament.
McCurtain had two key players out for the tournament. “The two girls we had out this weekend was our two best hitters in our lineup, so to finish that way, we did awesome. The other girls stepped up and played their roles very well,” coach Vernon Scarberry said.
All-Conference members for the McCurtain Bulldogs include Brooklyn Vails, Sydnie Tackett and Jerica Baker. All-Conference members for the Keota Lions include Javen Christenberry and Chloee Smith.
Throughout the tournament, Keota had four inside the park home runs, two by Chloee Smith and two by Autumn Dumas. Keota has grown accustomed to Chloee Smith’s home runs as she hits them regularly, but Dumas’ home runs were her first of the season.
Smith hits third and Dumas hits sixth in the lineup. “Having Cholee transfer has helped the team tremendously. She is such a great player and doesn’t let anyone get their head down and Saylee helps by supporting our team whether we win or lose. Having such supportive people makes me enjoy softball even more.” Dumas told the Stigler News Sentinel.
Both teams are looking forward to post-season play as districts are in one week. Class B McCurtain will host Midway and Oaks. Class A Keota will host Webbers Falls and Cave Springs.

By John Block, staff reporter