Bentonville softball won its third consecutive Arkansas Class 6A state championship Thursday night, shutting out Cabot 10-0 behind a combined no-hitter from Darby Burnett and Daylyn Osborne.
The Tigers’ pitching duo allowed just two walks over seven innings at home plate in Hot Springs, striking out 12. The victory capped a dominant season for the team, which finished 27-3 and extended its winning streak to 18 games.
Burnett, a senior, started in the circle and threw five innings of perfect softball before Osborne, a junior, came in to close out the final two frames. It was the first time all season the two had combined for a no-hitter, though both had thrown individual gems throughout the year.
Offensively, the Tigers were led by a pair of RBI doubles from sophomore Karsyn Clevenger and a two-run single from junior Addie Legg. Leadoff hitter Rylen Stroud reached base three times and scored twice, helping set the tone early as Bentonville jumped to a 5-0 lead by the second inning.
Back-to-back-to-back
The win marks the program’s fourth state title in the past five years and cements its place among Arkansas high school softball royalty. Head coach Staci Stroud, who led the team to its first championship in 2020, now has three titles under her belt in Bentonville.
“These girls have worked incredibly hard,” Stroud said postgame. “They’ve bought into what we’re trying to build here, and it shows. Winning once is tough — doing it three years in a row? That’s special.”
The Tigers’ defense backed up their pitchers with precision, turning two double plays and making several highlight-reel catches in the outfield. Senior third baseman Reagan Williams said the team’s chemistry has been a driving force behind their success.
“We trust each other out there,” Williams said. “That makes everything easier — when you know your teammates are going to come through, no matter what.”
Bentonville’s offense was methodical but relentless, stringing together hits and taking walks to keep pressure on the Cabot defense. The Tigers plated runs in four different innings, with their biggest burst coming in the fourth, where they scored four times to effectively seal the game.
Cabot, making its first title appearance since 2017, managed just two baserunners — both on walks — and never advanced a runner past second base. The Panthers’ season ends with a 23-7 record.
A legacy in the making
For Burnett and Osborne, the no-hitter was a fitting end to a season defined by dominance. Burnett finished with 10 strikeouts over five innings, while Osborne struck out the side in the seventh to close the door.
“We’ve been working together all year,” Osborne said. “She sets the tone, and I just try to keep it going. It felt amazing out there.”
Burnett, who will play at the University of Arkansas next year, said the moment wasn’t lost on her.
“This is everything I dreamed of,” she said. “To go out like this, with this team, in front of all these fans — it’s something I’ll never forget.”
The Tigers’ championship run drew a strong contingent of fans from Bentonville, many of whom made the trip down to Hot Springs to cheer on the team. Among them was longtime booster and parent volunteer Kim Elliott, who said watching the team grow has been rewarding.
“They’re not just good players — they’re good kids,” Elliott said. “That’s what makes this so special. You want to see people like that succeed.”
Bentonville last achieved a three-peat in softball from 2000 to 2002. The program now looks ahead to next season, with several key players returning, including Osborne and Clevenger.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
