The Valley View Blazers have been to three straight state finals , winning a state title in 2021 . After falling short in last year ’ s championship game , coach Josh Allison and company have some unfinished business , and with a dugout full of division one and college commits , the Blazers should be one of the favorites for a dogpile in May . Valley View won the 5A East finishing with a 29-5 record and a state runner-up trophy . The Blazers return a bulk of the team with seven D1 commits and three other college commits taking the field . Leading this talent loaded squad is All-State outfielder Slade Caldwell . The Ole Miss commit has garnered a lot of attention leading up to the MLB draft and is predicted as an early round draft pick . The outfielder is a true five tool athlete that can hit , field , and throw , and possesses major league speed . Caldwell can get it done on the mound as well , where he will slide into a loaded rotation . All-State senior Eli Crecelius will be atop the rotation for the pitching staff . The Razorback commit has improved velocity and mixes pitches well . Crecelius has plenty of experience , starting games since his freshman year . Another Arkansas commit , Lance Davis , moves in to bolster the Blazer rotation . Davis can hit 90 plus with a fastball and mix in a nasty slider . All-State catcher and Arizona State commit Lawson Ward will be the battery mate for most of the rotation and could see time on the mound as well . Ward ’ s baseball IQ makes him perfect for handling the catching duties , while his bat in the middle of the lineup possesses a lot of pop . The senior can eat up innings in the rotation as well when he is needed . A third Arkansas commit , sophomore Keaton Mathis , can catch , play first base , and pitch some as well . Mathis proved to be clutch at the plate and on the mound last season in big games as a freshman . Senior , Connor Brown is a funky lefty that rounds out the rotation for Valley View . The Eastern Oklahoma State College commit keeps hitters off balance and gives the opposition a different look . Senior Dax Webb is a Crowder College commit that moved over after an All-State season at Brookland a year ago . Webb is an outfielder that provides more pop in an already explosive lineup . Jayde Taylor and Owen Roach will also see time in the outfield after providing solid defense and timely hits for the Blazers last season . The infield is led by Arkansas State commit Drew Gartman . The junior shortstop has great speed , plenty of range , and a strong arm . Gartman hits at the top of the lineup , utilizing his bat and speed to get on base and score runs . Kayson Becker will man the hot corner for Valley View . The Mid-South Community College commit has quick reaction and another strong bat in the lineup . Noah Ragsdale started at second as a freshman and has some of the best hands on the team , while Hudson Hosman could be utilized anywhere on the field or in the lineup . Coach Allison lists pitching , defense , team speed , and experience as strengths for the blue and gold . There seems to be no holes on the field , on the mound , or at the plate for Valley View , which makes them one of the favorites to win the 5A East and the state championship . Coach Allison knows it won ’ t be easy as the talent in the 5A classification is top level . The Blazers also know they will get everyone ’ s best and are ready for the challenge .
A new face takes over at Valley View as Karen Sanders moves across town to take over the Blazer program that has a rich tradition and celebrated many accomplishments in recent years even with a third new coach in as many years . Sanders brings a winning resume with her from Nettleton , Wynne , and Brookland , and she hopes to continue to experience the same successes in a new place . The Lady Blazers finished 18-10 last season , falling in a heartbreaker in the first round of the state tournament to Greenwood , so there is a goal of moving further in the postseason this season . “ Experience from those returning blended with the new group gives an opportunity for a strong season . They have been working hard on all aspects of the game to continue the momentum from last season ,” Coach Sanders said . Leading the way for Valley View will be battery mates Riley Smith and Ashlyn Beale . The All-State senior Pitcher , Smith , throws in the mid-60s and has great movement on her pitches . Smith along with fellow senior Amera Wright are great leaders and have helped lead the culture of the team . Junior Mackenzie Whitlock led the team hitting . 410 and driving in 29 runs last season . Whitlock will be a focal point in the Lady Blazer lineup and relied upon for big hits once again . Sophomore , Beale , was second on the team with a . 354 average and first in slugging percentage at 0.671 . They provide a one-two punch in the lineup that will cause problems for opposing pitchers . Some new faces could help out this season including freshman Harlee Allison , along with Ellie Dawson , Marley Greeno , and Charlie Wilson . Layni Housley and Lynnli Jo Thomas are both recovering from labrum surgeries and hope to be back during the season . Coach Sanders hit the ground running and is ready for the challenge of the 5A East . “ Great core coming back from a successful season last year ,” Sanders said . “ Several key players have an opportunity to step up and be difference makers this year . Our schedule will allow us to be tested early , middle and late to prepare for a push in the state tournament .” That schedule includes hosting the Blazer Blast which brings 53 teams to Southside Softball Complex March 15th and 16th . This is the 13th year of the tournament and first under the new name . It is the state ’ s largest high school softball tournament , bringing teams from all over Arkansas , southeast and northwest Missouri , and Tennessee . NEA Sports predicts the Lady Blazers will earn another trip to the state tournament out of the always tough 5A East , where they could make some noise in the postseason .