Tuckerman Cashes In on Chances, Knock Off Lady Bears in 2A Finals

Tuckerman scored 11 of its 14 runs with two out as the Lady Bulldogs used two homeruns, two doubles and some timely hits to knock off the Woodlawn Lady Bears 14-4 in six innings Thursday in the Class 2A State Softball Tournament finals at Majestic Park in Hot Springs. Woodlawn had defeated Tuckerman 2-1 on the same field in a tournament on March 13. The Lady Bears jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Jaci Hoyt started the game with a single and then scored on a double play. Maegan Richardson then tied the game with a solo homerun to lead off the bottom of the second. Her teammate, Bristin Wheeler, had a two-run homer in the fifth. Laci Rauls, pitching in her final game with the Lady Bears, was saddled with the loss. Coach Matt Huitt said Rauls had been battling an illness all week after first showing symptoms in the state semifinals last Saturday. Rauls had held the Lady ‘Dogs to three hits and two walks with 11 strikeouts in her complete game 2-1 win back in March. Overall, she gave up six hits and three walks with three strikeouts in the championship game. Fellow senior Kendall Tooke went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the Lady Bears in her final game.