SWINT, SIMPSON WIN TWO MORE ON FARRIS FIELD WITH WEST ALL STARS

Maybe Leigh Swint should walk on at the University of Central Arkansas. She doesn’t lose at Farris Field.

After playing third base in a state championship game win in Conway in May Swint was selected to play in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association’s annual all star game, which was also held at the Conway facility.

Swint started the opening game of the double header, which would be a sweep for the West (1-0 and 6-2). She played four innings of the second game.

In the opener she had nothing hit to her but in the second game, during a bases-loaded threat by the East in the fifth, Swint fielded one ball at third and threw home for a force out (shown).

She recorded a put out when the next batter also grounded to her at third but the throw home did not complete a double play and the East scored a run to make it 5-1.

Swint got a second putout in the seventh when she speared a line drive that prevented likely two runs from scoring in what was then a 6-2 game.

In the opener Swint, who hit .385 during the 2023 season, managed just one plate appearance, during which she saw one pitch and grounded out.

In the second game Swint again hit the first pitch she saw and reached on an error. She eventually reached third as the West loaded the bases, but a ground ball ended the inning. Swint went down swinging in her only other plate appearance.

Swint was joined at the game by Lady Bearcat head coach Chad Simpson, who was an assistant for the West, marking the second straight year the Lady Bearcats sent their coach to the game.

Simpson was selected after the Lady Bearcats won the Class 3A state title at Farris Field to complete a 20-13 season.