Farmington’s run to the Class 5A softball state championship has been powered by a mix of clutch hitting, strong pitching, and steady defense — and sophomore infielder Taitum Rehkopf has quietly anchored much of the team’s defensive success.
Rehkopf, 15, plays second base for the Cardinals, a position that demands both range and reliability. Through 26 games this season, she’s committed just two errors and has turned 47 putouts, according to team stats compiled by the Arkansas Activities Association. Her ability to turn double plays and field ground balls cleanly has been a consistent undercurrent in Farmington’s 22-4 campaign, which culminates Saturday at 7 p.m. against Benton at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.
“She doesn’t get a lot of the attention, but she’s been a big reason we’ve been able to keep games close and win a lot of them,” said Farmington head coach Kellie Hunt. “She’s fundamentally sound and she’s always in the right spot.”
In a season where the Cardinals have relied on a balanced offensive attack — scoring 170 runs while being powered by the likes of senior slugger Addie Nation — Rehkopf’s role hasn’t been flashy. She’s batted .289 with 14 RBIs and three home runs, but it’s her work in the field that teammates say keeps the team grounded.
“Taitum’s always been that player who doesn’t need the spotlight,” said senior shortstop Ella Williams. “She just does her job, every game. You can count on her.”
Rehkopf moved into the starting lineup full-time at the beginning of the season after spending much of her freshman year as a backup. Hunt said Rehkopf’s work ethic and attention to detail in practice made the decision to give her a starting role an easy one.
“She’s one of the first ones at practice and the last to leave,” Hunt said. “She watches a lot of film on her own, especially on the teams we’re about to face. That kind of preparation shows in games.”
That preparation paid off in Farmington’s 5-2 win over Searcy in the state semifinals last week, when Rehkopf turned a crucial double play in the sixth inning to squash a potential rally. It was one of several heads-up plays she’s made throughout the postseason, including a pair of diving stops in the quarterfinal win over Batesville.
Playing at second base in the Cardinals’ 4-6 defense means Rehkopf is often the fulcrum of the team’s infield. She’s involved in nearly every ground ball hit to the right side and has helped turn 18 double plays this season — second most on the team behind shortstop Williams.
“She makes my job a lot easier,” Williams said. “When I know she’s backing me up or covering second, I can be more aggressive. That kind of trust goes both ways.”
Rehkopf said she’s always preferred infield over outfield, drawn to the faster pace and the mental challenge of anticipating where the ball is going.
“I like being involved in every play,” she said. “There’s a lot of thinking that goes into it — knowing where the runners are, what the situation is. I just try to stay focused and not let anything get by me.”
Farmington last won a state softball title in 2013. The Cardinals are seeking their first championship since the program moved up to Class 5A in 2019. Rehkopf said the team’s success this season has been built on consistency — something she tries to bring every time she takes the field.
“We’ve all put in the work,” she said. “Nobody’s doing anything special. We’re just doing our jobs.”
Saturday’s championship game will be Farmington’s third title game appearance in the past five years. Rehkopf is one of just five sophomores on this year’s squad, a group that Hunt said will be key to the program’s future.
“She’s already shown she can play at this level,” Hunt said. “What’s exciting is she’s going to be doing this for two more years.”
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
