The Booneville Lady Bearcats will open the Class 3A state tournament the exact same way they finished the 2023 season, by facing the Atkins Lady Red Devils.
It was in that game that Lexi Franklin escalated her legacy to legend status by taking a bat to the forehead, getting stitches, then throwing a complete game, hitting a double, and being intentionally walked three times to be named MVP.
The legend has continued to grow this season with strikeout 700 in the first game of the year followed by the 800 and 900 milestones hit, and last Thursday in the opening round of Class 3A Region 1 tournament in Harrison, number 1,000.
According to the Arkansas Activities Association recognized records, Franklin is just the third to crack the 1,000 mark in strikeouts.
It goes deeper than those sent back to the dugout with their bat in hand. Much deeper, according to Lady Bearcat head coach Chad Simpson.
“Lexi is one of the best, if not the best softball player to play here,” said Simpson. “She’s led this team in just about every category since she was a freshman. You won’t find a better competitor and teammate.”
Among those records bearing Franklin's name are home run totals, single season and career.
Thursday’s 10 a.m. game, which opens the tournament on Jackie Robinson Field at Majestic Park, will start the final chapter of Franklin’s career.
The game pits a fourth seeded Lady Bearcat team against a top seeded Lady Red Devil squad, but history indicates this could easily, probably should be a nail-biter.
Besides the Lady Bearcats claiming a 4-3 win and state title in the final game of 2023, the two teams met in a tournament in Russellville in March with Atkins winning 1-0 in a game that was shortened to six innings due to a time limit.
Franklin retired nine of the 15 hitters she sat down in that game – Atkins was the home team – on strikes.
Another indicator that the game could be close is the Lady Bearcats have now played 10 one or two runs games this season, including the last two in the regional tournament.
ONE MORE CHAPTER FOR THE LEGENDARY LEGACY OF LEXI
