The Riverside Rebels finished 27-6 last season falling in a pitcher’ s duel in the state quarterfinals. Coach Ben Hogard’ s club claimed the 2A-3 crown before their postseason run. With so many key pieces back in the lineup for the Rebels, Riverside will be a favorite once again in the conference and have the opportunity to make an even deeper run in the state tournament. A lineup complete with plenty of experience both at the plate and on the mound, a majority of the roster can throw some innings for the Rebels. Zain McClure brings his leadership and work ethic to the middle of the order. The infielder hit. 290 with 29 RBIs and 20 runs scored last season. On the mound, McClure went 7-2 with a. 571 ERA, striking out 86 in 60 innings of work, showcasing very good control on four different pitches. Cash Gillis roams the outfield and is an excellent base runner when he gets on base. Gillis hit. 295 with 18 RBIs, 21 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases. He has good velocity on the bump, and has pitched a lot of big games going 7-2 with a 1.313 ERA while striking out 55 in 48 innings. Bryce Smith could end up anywhere on the field. Smith provides a spark at the top of the lineup hitting. 320 with 18 RBIs, 21 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases. The senior has movement on every pitch, using that to go 2-0 with a. 731 ERA, striking out 33 in 28 innings. Classmate Thatcher Durham is a plus defender in the outfield and does a good job of getting on base where he stole 17 bases and scored 13 runs while driving in 12. Durham has very good control on the mound going 5- 0 with a 1.31 ERA and striking out 36 batters in 32 innings. Brayeson Timms is a quick infielder that seems to always get on base at the top of the order. Timms hit. 330 with 16 RBIs while stealing 18 bases and scoring 25 times. On the mound, he throws a lot of strikes and is effective at the end of games. Infielder Tuker Emery has explosive power and is a run producer in the heart of the order hitting. 303 with 16 RBIs and two homeruns while scoring 21 times and stealing 11 bases. Coach Hogard calls Caden Cavazos a pure hitter who has improved his approach at the plate. Cavazos is looking to improve his. 343 average and 19 RBIs. Sophomore Maddox Stone is the total package on the mound according to Coach Hogard, where he went 5-1 with a 1.76 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 35 innings. Stone throws hard and has improved his control on multiple pitches. In the infield, he is smooth with a plus arm. Jackson Mann has the task of catching all of these Rebel arms. Mann blocks everything, has great hands, and a good arm. Coach Hogard also says senior Cayden Richardson, who transferred over from Bay, could add even another arm to the Riverside bullpen. Coach cites defense as the team’ s key to success.“ We need to continue to pitch and play defense at a high level,” he said.“ We have spent a ton of time in the weight room since last year trying to get stronger and more explosive. The guys have worked tirelessly on their swings and it ' s going to bring more success on the offensive side of things.” The Riverside Rebels will be the favorites in the 2A-3, and NEA Sports predicts the Rebs will be one of a handful of teams with a chance at a dogpile in May.
A year after winning a state championship, the Riverside Lady Rebels followed it up with a state runner-up finish and a 26-2 record. Coach TJ Eakins has a lineup of returners that he feels could make another run at a title come May.“ These girls have played so much softball in their lives and played in big games at the high school level,” Coach Eakins said.“ If we can stay focused and hungry for more, this can be a special season.” Arkansas Tech signee Klaire Womack returns to the circle to lead the Lady Rebs once again. The senior Womack recorded a 23-2 record with 252 strikeouts and a miniscule 0.739 ERA. Womack also hit. 433 for Riverside with three homeruns and 21 RBIs. Katie Ridge will back up Womack on the rubber after going 3-0 last season with 31 strikeouts and a 1.793 ERA. Ridge will also play first base and be a big time contributor at the plate after leading the team with 10 homeruns last season while hitting. 432 with 34 RBIs. Kaylee Cox led the team in batting average and RBIs with a. 494 average and batting in 35. The shortstop will look to once again look to lead the team at the plate, while locking down the middle of the infield. Patrolling centerfield is senior Freed-Hardeman signee Annalee Qualls. Qualls hit. 400 with four homeruns, 16 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. Qualls will be joined in the outfield by right fielder Carly Jo Womack who hit. 452 with 29 RBIs and 15 stolen bases, and left fielder Bennett Durham who hit. 241 with 13 RBIs. Ryley Eakins is another stopper up the middle at second base. Eakins hit. 319 with 18 RBIs and 20 stolen bases, which tied for the team lead with Qualls. Brooklyn Berry will handle a bulk of the catching duties and be a major threat at the plate hitting. 379 with 26 RBIs last season. Blakely Bigger could help behind the plate when she is not at third base. Bigger hit. 406 with 23 RBIs a year ago. Senior Malorie Booth returns to add depth to the lineup along with Henleigh McAnally and transfer Mackey Morgan. A talented group of freshmen including Colbie Cullum, Morgan Thomas, Shelby Clay, Scout Priest, Arden Vaughn, Saylor Webb, and Emmalee Smith could provide a spark at any point in the season. With so many returning weapons and some new faces to add to the depth, the Riverside Lady Rebels will once again be a favorite to win the 2A-3 conference and make another run to Conway in hopes of bringing home another state title.