The Bryant Lady Hornets were deeply disappointed that, in 2013, they were nudged out of the Class 7A State softball tournament right at the end of the regular season. But now it makes their return to the tournament today at 2:30 p.m., at City of Colleges Park in Conway that much sweeter.
The Lady Hornets, 17-7 on the season, will take on the Fort Smith Southside Lady Rebels, the third-seeded team from the Central Conference.
“One of the things I’ve always done is approach (State) as it’s a one-game season,” said Bryant coach Debbie Clark, who coached teams to four straight State championships including three in a row at Bryant prior to last season. “I want the girls to understand the magnitude of that. And I think, after last year, the seniors understand that more than ever before because we thought we were going to make it but then didn’t make it.
“This is an opportunity,” she continued. “They’re so thankful that they’ve worked hard enough to get here, that they have the opportunity to go. As adults, we’ve all had things happen in our lives, something didn’t happen the way we wanted it to but then we were able to get a second chance, the opportunity came about again for us. There’s been times when I’ve said, oh, if I could ever get that chance again. I think that’s how these girls are looking at it. Yes, we got that chance again.”
The juniors and seniors on the team were young members of the team that captured the title in 2012. In fact, seniors Kaley Coppock and Katy Stillman were starters.
“A handful of them have gone through it with girls who have been on that field and at that State championship tournament,” Clark noted. “Most of them were on the bench doing their job like they’re supposed to and now it’s their turn and they want to see what that feels like to be on that field.”
Regarding the Lady Rebels, Clark said, “They’re strong. They have a good coach. We played them, I think, in the Van Buren tournament a couple of years ago. They have one really strong hitter. You can’t let her beat you. They do try to slap some. Their pitcher throws average speed but she does a good job of trying to deceive the hitter and that’s what she’s going to try to do. That’s what we’re preparing for. They’re working hard to try to make things happen.
“I think we’re at the right place at the right time, doing what we need to be doing,” she concluded. “And it makes me proud as a coach.”
