Arkansas High School Coaches Association East-West All-Star Games

Pop hits the spot for softball teams

Paige Mendoza (left) of Fort Smith Southside and Megan Goodknight of Cabot combined for 16 home runs as seniors and are expected to provide plenty of power in today’s high school all-star softball game.
Paige Mendoza (left) of Fort Smith Southside and Megan Goodknight of Cabot combined for 16 home runs as seniors and are expected to provide plenty of power in today’s high school all-star softball game.

CONWAY -- There should be no shortage of power for tonight's Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star softball doubleheader.

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McKenzie Escovedo (right) of North Little Rock is one of several players participating in tonight’s all-star softball game who put up stout offensive numbers this season. Escovedo, who will play for the East, hit .417 with 33 RBI and 4 home runs.

Both the East and West All-Stars have some impressive home run hitters on their roster going into tonight's doubleheader, which is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. at Farris Field on the University of Central Arkansas campus.

All-Star Week

WHERE UCA (Conway)

TICKETS $6

TONIGHT’S GAMES

BASEBALL Bear Stadium, 5 p.m. (DH)

SOFTBALL Farris Field, 5 p.m. (DH)

WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

GIRLS SOCCER Estes Stadium, 5 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL Farris Center, 6 p.m.

BOYS SOCCER Estes Stadium, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

GIRLS BASKETBALL Farris Center, 6 p.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL Farris Center, 8 p.m.

FRIDAY’S GAME

FOOTBALL Estes Stadium, 7 p.m.

"When we make the selections, we have to take so many from each classification," said Cabot Coach Chris Cope, who will coach the East team. "We tried to get the best girls we could, and I think this year we're looking at a power game."

Cope knows one of those home-run hitters well. Megan Goodknight led Cabot with nine home runs this season and helped the Lady Panthers advance to the Class 7A state championship game.

"She had a great season for us," Cope said. "She batted in our No. 3 spot, she hit for a great average [.455], and she drove in a lot of runs [45] for us. ... She's a versatile hitter, but we knew that when she was in the box she was going to hit it hard somewhere."

Goodnight, who played pitcher and first base for the Lady Panthers, banged out 50 hits in 110 official at-bats. Not only did she have 9 home runs, but she also collected 9 doubles and 5 triples with an .873 slugging percentage.

"I went to the plate wanting to do something positive every time, but it didn't have to be a home run," Goodnight said. "I took a deep breath, said a little prayer and tried to hit it hard."

Goodnight will continue her softball career at Arkansas Tech.

"I was nervous because I did not get an offer for a long time, but they popped the question and I was so thankful they did," Goodnight said. "It's just so awesome to get the opportunity."

Goodnight won't be the lone powerhouse on the East roster.

Alexus Lawellin put up some solid numbers at Southside Batesville, batting 533 with 11 doubles, 5 triples and 2 home runs. McKenzie Escovedo led North Little Rock to the Class 7A state title, hitting .417 with 11 doubles, 4 home runs and 33 RBI.

The West can counter with several players with outstanding offensive numbers as well.

Paige Mendoza hit seven home runs and drove in 28 runs this season for Fort Smith Southside. She also finished with 11 doubles, 7 triples and batted .686 (48 of 70).

Chrystal Kegley hit 18 home runs and drove in 97 runs during past two seasons at Foreman. Alex Webb, a pitcher/first baseman from Atkins, batted .494 with 14 doubles.

Sports on 06/23/2015

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