MURFREESBORO, Ark. — Woodlawn used a fast start and a balanced offensive performance Thursday to defeat Dierks 11-3 in varsity baseball action, earning a berth in the 2A State Tournament.
The win also advances the Bears to a Friday, May 8 game at 2:30 p.m.
Woodlawn scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning and added three more in the second to build an early 5-1 lead. The Bears continued to pull away in the third and fourth innings, scoring three runs in each frame. Dierks scored once in the second, once in the third and once in the seventh.
Tyler French had a big day at the plate for Woodlawn, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and one RBI. French also had a double and two stolen bases.
Parker Arnold and Hollis Holderfield each added two hits for the Bears. Arnold went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, one RBI and one walk, while Holderfield finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored, two RBI and two doubles. Logan Clark also drove in three runs for Woodlawn and added a double.
Ethan Saeler reached base several times, drawing three walks and driving in one run. Gavin Edmonds also had an RBI, while Turner Motes finished with one hit and two runs scored.
Tyner Burris earned the win on the mound for Woodlawn. Burris worked 4.2 innings, allowing five hits and two runs, one earned, while walking none and striking out one. French pitched 1.1 innings in relief, allowing two hits with no runs and striking out two. Motes also threw one inning for the Bears.
Woodlawn finished with nine hits, nine RBI and nine walks. The Bears also stole seven bases in the win.
Dierks was led offensively by Kolton Gadbury, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Maclane Smith and Treven Hill each had two hits for the Outlaws.
