Arkansas Preps Weekly

Kevin Bohannon visits with his former player, Mitch Austin, an infielder for soon-to-be defunct Birmingham-Southern (Ala.) College. Austin discusses the heavy national exposure the team has gotten this season with the institution set to close on May 31. 

Kyle Sutherland is joined by Texas Longhorn and former Rose Bud Rambler Joley Mitchell. We talk about her journey from Rose Bud to Notre Dame and ultimately the University of Texas as she prepares to play in the WCWS in OKC.

Kevin Bohannon catches up with Hot Springs Lakeside alumnus and current Louisiana Tech utility Ethan Bates. 

Bates, who started his collegiate career as a Razorback, was named the 2024 Conference USA Player of the Year and received first team All-Conference USA honors for the second consecutive season.

He was also named as a semifinalist for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, as well as the Dick Howser Trophy, given annually to the nation's top college baseball player. 

Kyle Sutherland and Jared Hawthorn recap the softball state championships and close out the 2024 prep softball season. 

6A

Bentonville climbs back to the top of the mountain with win over West conference foe Springdale Har-Ber. (03:43)

Louisville signee and Bentonville ace Ryann Sanders compiled a special individual season. (09:25)

5A

Sheridan finished the job to take home its fifth state championship since 2016. (13:21)

Quite a comeback from Sheridan's pitching duo of Callie Kilburn and Cooper Terry.(19:16)

4A

Third matchup of the is season between Farmington and Pea Ridge turned into a thriller. (22:42)

3A

Following back-to-back finishes in the semifinals, Hackett refused to lose in a dominant rout of Lincoln. (32:39)

2A

The controversial call in the bottom of the seventh sent the game into extra innings, but let's not take anything away from Mansfield. (38:40)

1A

Taylor embraces pressure and makes history, (48:08)

BIG announcement for summer plans. (56:20)

Kyle Sutherland and Kevin Bohannon recap the baseball state championships and close out the 2024 prep baseball season.

6A

Springdale Har-Ber blanks Rogers 2-0 to claim their second consecutive state title.  (05:00)

Outlook for Class 6A in 2025. (08:20)

5A

Valley View gets the job done following back-to-back heartbreaking state final finishes. (09:57)

Outlook for Class 5A in 2025. (15:00)

4A

Prairie Grove put four-spot on Joe T. Robinson in the sixth inning to take home their first state title. (16:42)

Outlook for Class 4A in 2025. (19:55)

3A

Gosnell jumped on CAC early and held on to win first state championship since 1990. (22:21)

2A

Ouachita ends Woodlawn's run of state titles in 2-1 victory over Bears. (26:49)

Outlook for Class 2A in 2025. (31:05)

1A

Taylor keeps the dynasty rolling and three-peats for first time in program history. (32:35)

Kyle Sutherland and Kevin Bohannon discuss the top moments from the state tournaments and preview all six of this weekend's state championship games.

6A

Springdale Har-Ber aiming to go back-to-back against Rogers, while the Mounties hope to win their second title since 2021. (04:03)

Bright future for Bryant following semifinal run. (07:04)

5A

Valley View tears through its bracket and will play Maumelle, who clinched its first title berth. (08:57)

4A

Joe T. Robinson conquered rival Lonoke to reach the state championship for the first time in program history. Farmington made an impressive run as a four-seed. (19:00)

3A

Central Arkansas Christian will face off against Gosnell for it all. (20:55)

2A

Woodlawn is in the championship round – again – and will take on Ouachita. (25:40)

Cedar Ridge gutted its way to the semifinals. (28:36)

1A

Juggernaut Taylor is looking to three-peat for the first time in school history. (30:21)

Kyle Sutherland and Jared Hawthorn discuss the top moments from the state tournaments and preview all six of this weekend's state championship games. 

6A

It is an all 6A-West final for the first time since 2018 between Bentonville and Springdale Har-Ber. (02:18)

5A

Sheridan has proven to be the best team in Class 5A throughout the year, at this point, but Beebe has been arguably the hottest during the back half. (08:30)

South conference finished a surprising 1-3 in the first round of the state tournament. (14:44)

4A

Kendal Jones tossed back-to-back shutouts for Star City. (18:41)

It is an all Conference 1 championship for the second consecutive season. (21:37)

3A

Atkins 2024 seniors left a legacy not only within their school, but Class 3A. (28:25)

Watch out for DeWitt in 2025. (33:04)

Hackett and Lincoln will meet for the fourth time this season in Conway as the Lady Hornets have the Lady Wolves' number, 3-0. (34:30)

2A

Riverside vs. Mansfield Part II. (40:42)

Woodlawn overcame the odds and made a semifinal run. (44:37)

1A

Taylor hopes to win a state record seventh consecutive state championship, but Cinderella story Scranton looks to stay red hot and finish the job. (47:47)

Gutsy performance from Shirley in the semifinal round. (48:27)

Scranton defying the odds nearly two years removed from putting the program on hold. (49:00)

Kyle Sutherland and Kevin Bohannon recap the 1A-4A Regional Tournaments from last week, as well as preview the state tournaments. 

6A

Conway sweeps Bryant to earn the Central conference's top seed. (03:04)

State tournament matchups. (04:35)

5A

The West conference ends in a wild finish. (07:58)

Will there be a major upset in the first round? (10:13)

Can Lake Hamilton keep it going? (10:35)

4A

A Conference 1 team won the North Regional, but it was not top seed Shiloh Christian. (12:28)

Monticello impressed in the South Regional after sneaking into the postseason. (16:12)

3A

Regional Tournament winners rolled. (19:49)

Bracket analysis. (20:40)

Lucas Chapman had the most dominant performance in Bismarck's Round One Regional Tournament win over DeWitt that you probably did not hear about. (22:41)

Booneville Iron Man and Harding football signee Dax Goff compiled another impressive weekend. (25:40)

2A

Poyen shocked South Side Bee Branch and made a run to the Central Regional finals. (29:36)

State bracket analysis. (31:57)

1A

St. Joseph appears to be the biggest threat to two-time defending state champion Taylor. (35:48)

State bracket analysis. (37:20)

Kyle Sutherland and Jared Hawthorn recap the 1A-4A Regional Tournaments from last week, as well as preview the state tournaments. 

5A & 6A Notes

The 'Big 3' – Bryant, Rogers and Bentonville – remain the favorite, but don't overlook Cabot and Springdale Har-Ber. (04:45)

Top matchups of the state tournament first round, plus sleeper(s) to watch. (07:31)

4A

Brookland has impressed in the East Regional. (11:15)

Conference 1 imposed its will in sweep of the North Regional. (14:08)

Nashville wins the South Regional at Futrell Field while handing Monticello its first loss of the year. (19:47)

3A- Booneville/Lincoln boasted the headliner game, but Hackett dominated the 3A-1 Regional. (28:30)

Three-seed Atkins comes out on top of the loaded 3A-3 Regional. (31:42)

Premier first round matchups. (32:57)

DeWitt and Salem are red hot teams with plenty to prove at state (33:40)

Booneville's Lexi Franklin surpasses 1,000 career strikeouts. (37:16)

2A

CAC defied the odds and won the Central Region as a two-seed. (38:39)

North Regional was much more competitive than expected. (45:19)

First round matchups to watch. (50:16)

1A

Taylor slips past Bradley in another close matchup. (52:00)

Concord has separated itself in the deep 1A-2 conference. (53:10)

Kyle Sutherland and Jared Hawthorn highlight the latest headlines in prep softball, headlined by the 1A-4A Regional Tournament previews.

 
5A and 6A Notes. (05:13)

4A Regionals 

Bauxite is making its case stronger. (12:51)

Wynne claims second consecutive district tournament title, how will the Lady 'Jackets and the rest of the East Region teams fare this week in Little Rock? (15:56)

Will 4A-1 programs flex muscle over 4A-4 in the North? (22:05)

Ashdown vs. Star City in the South makes for intriguing nightcap. (26:50)

3A Regionals

3A-1 tournament once again features a trio of heralded arms. (30:54)

Will there be a Melbourne/Salem Part IV? (37:50)

DeWitt is the heavy favorite in the 3A-4 Tournament, plus there is another stacked 3A-3 slate. (38:36)

2A Regionals
Very competitive Central region headlined by Magnet Cove and Quitman, but don't forget about Mount Vernon - Enola. (44:04)

Can anyone in the North stop Riverside? (49:46)

Is the South wide open or Rison the favorite? (50:27)

Cotter a sleeper out West? (53:18)

1A Regionals
Concord keeps proving to be a true contender. (57:45)

More instant classics were added to the vault in the 1A-2 District Tournament. (01:01:30)

Career milestones reached. (01:04:14)