FAYETTEVILLE - Foreman is starting to get the hang of this state championship routine.
The Lady Gators defeated Dierks 3-0 on Saturday in the Class 2A final at Lady 'Back Yard to tie a state record with their third consecutive state title.
Senior Kayleigh Cody pitched a four-hit shutout as third-ranked Foreman (27-4) matched the mark set by Prairie Grove (2001-2003) and Benton Harmony Grove (2002-2004).
"As we say in Foreman, softball is what we do," Foreman Coach Mitchell Beasley said. "We've been working on this for about eight years, and it's finally paying off for our kids. We've gotten six kids signed to play college ball in the past four years, and we're going to try to be back next year."
Cody, who earned MVP honors Saturday, is headed to Texarkana (Texas) College in the fall. Centerfielder Brittany Fawcett will play for Lyon College in Batesville.
"She deserves the MVP today for what she's done for us all year," Beasley said of Cody. "She has a 0.31 ERA, and she's pushing 300 strikeouts."
Cody struck out five batters and walked one, allowing no Dierks batter to reach third base until the final out was made. She has started at different positions for the Lady Gators since her freshman year, when they lost to Arkansas Baptist in the state championship game.
"My curveball was working pretty good, and my defense had me," Cody said. "They just had my back and picked me up today."
Foreman recorded just 5 hits off Dierks sophomore Emily Jackson, who struck out 6 batters and walked 2, but the Lady Gators were aggressive on the bases and profited from shaky defense by Dierks (16-8).
Emily Halter, the only player in the game with more than one hit, went 2 for 3 and showed hustle bylegging out a fourth-inning double and sixth-inning triple. Foreman stole two bases, and Amy Halter advanced from first to third on a wild pitch in the first inning.
Dierks Coach Jeff Tipton became familiar with Foreman's tendencies in two close games against the Lady Gators earlier this season, including a 5-4 loss in the district tournament final and a previous loss in 7-2A West Conference play.
"We don't see too many teams that aggressive on the bases," said Tipton, who coached Lockesburg to three state championships (1999, 2000, 2004) before arriving at Dierks for the 2005 season.
A wild pitch and an error helped create Foreman's first two runs.
Amy Halter singled and advanced two bases on Jackson's offering to Cody that bounced past catcher Tara Helms. Cody singled to left, scoring Halter to give Foreman a 1-0 lead.
Jasmine Hardwick reached on a three-base error in the second inning when Lady Outlaws leftfielder Kelsey Steward lost a fly ball in the sun. Kaylee Dossett followed with a double to left that drove in the second run.
The Lady Gators needed just one hit to score their third run. Emily Halter led off the fourth inning with a double to left and scored on a groundout by Dossett.
"We came through early and put up a couple of runs," Beasley said. "We were a little flat today."
After reaching its fourth consecutive state title game, Foreman looks to maintain its supremacy with all but two starters returning next year. Four freshman started Saturday's game, including second baseman Kimmie Beasley, right fielder Hardwick and twin sisters Amy and Emily Halter.
"I didn't have to worry about this being their first time at the big show," Mitchell Beasley said. "They have a great future ahead of them."
Sports, Pages 43 on 05/18/2008