Softball rained out; teams ready for games
MARTIN COUCH Sports editor

There wasn't much to say about high school softball around the county after washing out with the heavy rains during the week.

The Benton Lady Panthers had to cancel a 6A-South Conference doubleheader at Texarkana and the Bryant Lady Hornets called a game against Cabot they were supposed to host.

"The make-up with Texarkana is going to be April 10," said Benton head coach Eric Ryan. "Right now, since we've had a week off, we're kicking back with all the rainouts.

"We've got six games in and lost eight, with us not getting our tournament in, but it's like that for everyone."

Ryan couldn't remember a wetter start to the spring season in recent years, but rainy weather has already cost him the annual Bootsie Gordon Tournament. Bryant was rained out of the Mount St. Mary's tournament, as well as the Lady Panthers event.

It also caused Bryant head coach Lisa Dreher to issue an e-mail to the media stating that Tuesday's 7A-Central game at Conway had been canceled.

"I will let you know when the reschedule date is set," she said.

SOFTBALL KEVIN NAGLE PHOTOS Above left, the Bryant Lady Hornets celebrate with pitcher Kristin Kirchner. Above right, the Benton Lady Panthers gather around their pitcher, Katie Nichols. Benton plays again this week.

With high schools taking spring break around the con- ference, the Bryant Lady Hornets won't return to action until April 1 when they travel to North Little Rock for a conference matchup.

Meanwhile the Lady Panthers have been getting some games in for the junior varsity.

"We won a JV and freshman game against White Hall on the only dry day last week," Ryan said.

The Lady Panthers JV won 5- 3 and the Benton freshman team defeated White Hall 5-0.

The Lady Panthers varsity softball team will be in the Conway Lady Wampus Cat Invitational tournament at 4:30 p.m. Thursday against Beebe.