Vilonia Eagles Stun Top-Ranked State Power In District Tournament

     A high-stakes showdown unfolds in Benton, Arkansas, as the top-ranked Bentonville Tigers — No. 1 in Arkansas, No. 12 in the nation, and leaders of the 5A Central — face off against the No. 2 team in the 5A Central, the Vilonia Eagles.

     It was a slow start offensively until Bentonville’s #25, Marissa Gianneschi, sparked some momentum with a sharp hit to third. A misplayed catch sent the ball rolling into foul territory, allowing Gianneschi to stretch it into a double. After the first pitch, a missed catch by the catcher gave Marissa Gianneschi the opportunity to advance, and she wasted no time stealing third base. Bentonville’s #9, Alexis Lorennij, stepped up to the plate and sent a deep shot to right-center. A misplay in the outfield allowed Marissa Gianneschi to score from third, while Lorennij hustled to second—but an over-slide past the bag led to the Tigers’ first out of the second inning. Tigers’ #7, Kylee Wyman, stepped up and sent a shot to center field, but Vilonia’s #31, Olivia Cate, made the catch to end the top of the second, stranding runners on second and third.

     To lead off the bottom of the second, #21 Kendal Chamblee drew a walk to reach first base. Next up, #3 Gracie Reed took first after being hit by a pitch on the foot, putting two runners on with no outs. During Vilonia’s third at-bat of the inning, a mishandled pitch allowed both runners to advance safely to second and third. After a visit to the mound by Bentonville’s head coach, Kent Early, #6 for the Eagles, Andreah Porterfield made contact with the ball, sending it to the second baseman. The throw allowed the runner on third to score, while Porterfield was thrown out at first, recording the first out of the bottom of the second. With the game tied and a runner on third, Vilonia’s momentum kept rolling. #32, Lila Toll, launched a hit to left-center that carried all the way to the fence for a double. The runner from third crossed the plate, giving the Eagles a 2-1 lead. Next up, #31, Olivia Cate, a University of Arkansas at Monticello commit, followed with a clean shot to left-center, driving in another double. The hit brought Toll across the plate, extending the Eagles' lead to 3-1.

     To start the third inning, freshman Courtlyn Duncan took the mound for the pitching change. Bentonville’s #23, Demi Donahoe, laid down a bunt and was able to reach first safely. As #5, Violet Nguyen, stepped up to the plate, a dropped pitch by the catcher allowed Demi Donahoe to take advantage, stealing second base. Violet Nguyen drew a walk to first, followed by #15 Anniston Reith, who also earned a walk, loading the bases for the Tigers. Vilonia’s catcher then took a moment to visit the circle and regroup with her pitcher. Another walk brought in a run, cutting into the Eagles’ lead. With the bases still loaded, the Tigers were threatening to reclaim control of the game. After Bentonville drew a fourth consecutive walk, Vilonia head coach Kevin Sullivan made a trip to the circle, calling for a pitching change. #18, Kinley Brown, took over on the mound for the Eagles. Bentonville’s #13, Lana Carlton, sent a fly ball to left field, but it was caught for the first out. A sharp throw to home stopped an advancing runner, and the Eagles executed a clutch double play to end the threat. With the game still tied at 3-3, the Eagles closed out the top of the third as third baseman Gracie Reed fielded a grounder and fired to first for the force out.

     Leading off the bottom of the third, #34 Ralyn Kelley hit a grounder to third, but an overthrow to first allowed her to reach safely. She advanced to second shortly after, taking advantage of a missed catch by the catcher. Gracie Reed then fouled a ball back that was dropped by the catcher, and in a heads-up play, sprinted to first. Another defensive miscue on the throw allowed Kelley to come around and score, putting the Vilonia Eagles back on top.

     In the bottom of the fourth, Lila Toll led off with a single. Olivia Cate followed and faced a wild, high pitch that allowed Toll to advance to second. Cate then grounded out, but it moved Toll to third, marking the second out of the inning. Shortly after, a missed catch by the Tigers’ catcher gave Toll the opportunity to score, adding another run to extend the Eagles' lead.

     In the bottom of the sixth, Gracie Reed came through again with a hit to center field, and a defensive error allowed her to reach second base. Andreah Porterfield followed with a well-placed bunt, moving Reed to third while recording the first out. Looking to capitalize, Reed broke for home, drawing the catcher’s attention. An overthrow to third in an attempt to catch her in a rundown backfired, allowing Reed to score and extend Vilonia’s lead to 6-4.

When the final out was recorded, it was the Vilonia Eagles who walked away victorious—toppling a nationally ranked giant and making a bold statement in the 5A Central race.