NASHVILLE, Ark. — The Monticello Lady Billies opened the 4A State Softball Tournament with a dominant 10-1 victory over Heber Springs on Thursday in Nashville, powered by a historic performance from Bliss Becker and a strong outing in the circle from Addi Frazer.
Becker hit for the cycle in the win, finishing 4-for-4 with four RBIs and four runs scored. She singled in the first inning, tripled in the second, homered in the third, and doubled in the sixth to complete the feat.
Monticello wasted little time taking control of the game, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Joanie Jeffers drew a walk and Mia Scogin added an RBI single as the Lady Billies jumped in front early.
The Lady Billies broke the game open in the second inning with four more runs. Becker’s two-run triple highlighted the inning, while Frazer added an RBI groundout and Ashley Hales connected for a solo home run to center field.
Monticello added three more runs in the third inning to extend the lead to 9-0. Libby Kingston drove in a run with a single before Becker launched a two-run homer to center.
Frazer earned the win in the circle for Monticello, allowing just one run on three hits over six innings while striking out seven and walking two. Rhyse Guthrie pitched a scoreless inning of relief, striking out two.
Monticello finished with 12 hits in the contest. Hales and Kingston each recorded two hits, while Kingston stole two bases. The Lady Billies also played clean defensively without committing an error.
Emma Moorehead drove in the lone run for Heber Springs. Carly Holland, Lexi Golden, and Moorehead each collected one hit for the Panthers.
With the victory, Monticello advances to the quarterfinal round of the 4A State Tournament and will play Friday, May 15 at 3 p.m. in Nashville.
