By TODD TRAUB
Leader sports editor
The Beebe Badgers continued to raise the profile of their baseball program with a berth in the 5A state tournament while the tradition-laden Sylvan Hills Bears made yet another appearance.
The tournament began Friday at Monticello High School and the University of Arkansas-Monticello. Beebe qualified as the No. 2 seed from the 5A-Southeast Conference and Sylvan Hills got in as the No. 3 seed.
Beebe drew Greenbrier, the West’s No. 3 seed, in its first-round game Friday and Sylvan Hills faced West No. 2 seed Harrison on Friday night.
A Beebe victory would put the Badgers in the second round against the winner of the Magnolia-Forrest City game at noon today. If Sylvan Hills advances, the Bears will play the winner of the Batesville-Pulaski Academy game at 2:30 p.m. today.
Semifinals are scheduled for Monday at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Monticello High School. The state final is Friday at 2 p.m. at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.
Beebe (21-7, 9-3) is making just its third state tournament appearance after winning its first tournament game last year.
The Badgers have only four seniors — pitcher/third baseman Logan Ballew, center fielder Lawson Bryant, first baseman Adam Narramore and catcher Ryan Williams — while junior Griffin Glaude has been a standout on the mound and at the plate.
Glaude has thrown three no-hitters this year and was a hitter away from a perfect game against Mills, when he struck out 18 of the 22 he faced. Glaude also is batting over .400.
Ballew has been a capable second starter for the Badgers while Williams, a Williams Baptist signee, also hit well over .400.
“This is the best year we’ve had so far,” Badgers coach Mark Crafton said.
Sylvan Hills, coached by Denny Tipton, is making its 40th state tournament appearance and gunning for its 12th state finals appearance and eighth championship. The Bears last won the state tournament in 2008.
The Bears (15-13, 8-4) boast four seniors, including right-hander and UALR signee Jordan Spears. They suffered a four-game losing streak this year but wrapped up the season with a sweep of a conference doubleheader against White Hall.