The Walnut Ridge Lady Bobcats finished last season 14-10 earning a spot in the regional tournament. Coach Sarah Moore and the Lady Cats are moving into the 3A-3 conference with hopes of returning to the postseason and taking the next step into the state tournament. Sophomore Ashtyn Bradley leads the way returning to the circle for the Lady Bobcats. As a freshman, Bradley struck out 171 batters with a 2.27 ERA and held opponents to a. 189 batting average. Karlee Broadway is back at shortstop and at the top of the lineup where she hit. 412 with 17 stolen bases. Mallory Moore hit. 333 while holding third base, while Whitley White hit. 273 playing first base and in the outfield. Freshmen Bailei Hudson and Chloe Newberry will be new additions, and should help Walnut Ridge both offensively and defensively. Sophomore Kinzlee Schutzius and junior Lyla Woods are taking on a starting role and looking to make a big impact on the lineup.“ Plate production will be the key to our success,” Coach Moore said.“ We have a solid defense and some of the best pitching in the conference, but we are an extremely young team, losing six starters from last year- so being disciplined at the plate to manufacture runs to support our defense is key.” Even with such a young squad, the Walnut Ridge Lady Bobcats should make some noise in the 3A-3 and battle at the top of the conference. Look for them to make it back to the regional tournament with a solid chance to advance to the 3A State Tournament.
The Walnut Ridge Bobcats went undefeated in the 3A-2, captured the district and regional tournaments, then fell in the first round of the state tournament to finish 28-5 on the season. Coach Jason Belcher and the Bobcats have used that early exit from the state tournament to motivate them this offseason. Walnut Ridge lost some key starters, but have a lot of experienced players back to try and win in a new conference and make a deeper run in the postseason. Junior TJ Owens leads the way on the field and on the mound. Owens is an experienced pitcher with a plus breaking ball. He is looking to be a frontline starter for Coach Belcher on the mound and a utility infielder with plus defense that can play any position. Classmate Jaxton Brady is a two year starter and a middle of the order bat. Brady will play all outfield positions throughout the season and is a left handed pitcher that will add depth to the bullpen. Sophomore Riley Richey is a middle infielder that could land at shortstop opening day. Richey’ s bat will be at the top of the order, and he will be near the top of the pitching rotation. He is an efficient pitcher that can throw three pitches for strikes. Fellow sophomore Jace Blake has great speed at the leadoff position and a bulldog mentality on the mound. Blake played the outfield as a freshman and looks to be the Bobcat closer with a fastball in the low to mid 80s with good movement. Classmate Trevor Augustine returns at first base, will hit in the middle of the order with lots of power, and could eat up some innings on the mound if needed. Senior Collin Andrews has potential power as a designated hitter, while sophomore Taylor Nichols will hit in the middle of the order and is battling it out behind the plate for a starting position. Freshmen Jagger Brady and Jace Dulaney hope to make an impact on the roster. Brady is a talented young player that will see time in the middle infield and on the mound, while Dulaney is a talented freshman that will see time behind the plate, on the mound, and at the plate. The Walnut Ridge Bobcats are young, but experienced and very talented. Coach Belcher believes if his team can capitalize on their athleticism, stay healthy, play solid defense, and fill the strike zone on the mound, his team could go a long way. Look for Walnut Ridge to battle at the top of the 3A-3 conference, get back to the state tournament, and make a deep run.
607 Hwy. 67 N. Walnut Ridge, AR 72476 Email: bwalnutridge @ ecbarton. com 870-886-3587 Good Luck Bobcats & Mustangs!