Greenwood had been eye-balling its softball rematch with Siloam Springs for several weeks, and the defending 6A state champions got their payback in a big way Monday.
Greenwood hit five home runs and avenged its only 7A/6A-Central Conference loss this season wit a 12-0 rout of Siloam Springs at La-Z-Boy Softball Park.
Greenwood (18-5, 11-1 7A/6A-Central) hit three of those home runs -- all solo shots -- in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead, and the Lady Bulldogs hit two more dingers in the third as it quickly pulled ahead 6-0. The Lady Bulldogs added three more runs in the fifth and three in the seventh to complete the victory.
It was a far different result than the 3-2 pitchers' duel that Siloam Springs won in Greenwood on April 5.
"We've been waiting for this game," said Greenwood coach Ronnie Sockey. "That was our last loss. We've won 9 or 10 straight now since then. That kind of refocused us. We were ready for this one."
Greenwood's Mariah Hamilton hit two home runs, and Sydney Parker, Kaila Cartwright and Kelsy Knox each hit one as five of the Lady Bulldogs' 10 hits left the park.
"You just tip your hat," said Siloam Springs head coach Scott Wright. "They played well. Hitting is always a funny thing. You get in a rhythm and everything kind of goes your way. We've been on both sides of this happening. We hit seven home runs at Fayetteville and here we were on the other side of it."
Hamilton hit a solo home run to lead off the second inning for a 1-0 lead, and Parker, batting next, followed with a solo shot. Cartwright hit one later in the second for a 3-0 lead.
After a leadoff single by Mikayleigh Davis to open the third inning, Knox slammed a two-run home run, and Hamilton hit another in the same inning for a 6-0 lead.
"Hitters were focused at the plate," Sockey said. "I don't think we had a strikeout till late. We wanted to focus at the plate and just rely on our pitching. The girls -- they've been ready for this one for about three weeks."
Greenwood ace pitcher Victoria Taylor (14-4) struck out six batters in five innings of work, while Cartwright pitched the final two innings.
Crissa Spry -- who got the win in the pitcher's circle in the first meeting against Greenwood -- took the loss for Siloam Springs (14-10). Spry (13-7) pitched into the fifth inning before being relieved by Kenlie Noel. Yazmine Alfaro also pitched in the fifth inning and pitched the final two innings for Siloam Springs.
"Crissa probably didn't have quite her best stuff tonight, but like I told the girls, hey you put it behind you and move on tomorrow," Wright said.
Offensively, Spry and Ally Bunch had singles for the Lady Panthers for their only two hits.
Siloam Springs was scheduled to host Russellville in an important 6A conference game on Tuesday evening. Results were not available at presstime.
The Lady Panthers are scheduled to host Alma on Friday at 5 p.m. at La-Z-Boy Park in another conference game between 6A teams.
Greenwood 12, Siloam Springs 0
Greenwood^033^030^3^--^12^10^0
Siloam Springs^000^000^0^--^0^2^0
Taylor, Cartwright (6) and Parker; Spry, Noel (5), Alfaro (5) and Curtis. W-Taylor, 14-4. L-Spry, 13-7. HRs-Greenwood, Hamilton 2, Parker, Knox, Cartwright.
Sports on 05/04/2016