This 2022 high school baseball and softball seasons made for a memorable year for the Harmony Grove Hornets.
The Hornets baseball team had one of their best overall seasons in program history as they finished with an overall record of 23-5-1. The Lady Hornets softball team overcame a series of obstacles and inexperience to make a good team that was able to advance to the first round of the regional tournament.
Harmony Grove had seven players on the baseball team who were named to the 3A-8 region All-Conference team: junior pitcher/infielder Braden Brown, junior outfielder Lane Davis, sophomore catcher Caleb Johnson, junior pitcher/infielder Gabe Johnson, senior shortstop/pitcher Bradley Launius, junior pitcher/infielder Andrew Taylor and sophomore Brayden O'Hara. Johnson and Launius were named to the 3A All-State team for their stellar play throughout the season.
The Lady Hornets had three players from their softball team that was named to the All-Conference team: junior catcher Kailee Riggs, sophomore pitcher Avery Furr and junior outfielder Cameron Everett.
Each of these ten players for Harmony Grove had some of the most consistent and clutch performances throughout the season. Many of the players from the baseball team who were named All-Conference selections were star players who could provide solid fielding and pitch when needed.
The Camden News named Launius MVP of the Hornets season for his overall impact in the batting, fielding and pitching game. The Camden News also named Caleb Johnson as the Hornets' best fielder, Gabe Johnson as the Hornets' best pitcher and Lane Davis as the best batter. Brown, Taylor and O'Hara were also solid playmakers in the fielding and batting game as they helped create one of the most talented baseball rosters in the south Arkansas region.
The Lady Hornets came into the 2022 season overlooked due to their young roster that were ultimately capable of surprising their opponents. Riggs, Furr and Everett are examples of the young team members finding their rhythm throughout the season against older and more established teams.
Riggs was one of the most efficient defensive players for Harmony Grove all season. Furr was a tenacious pitcher and a high-caliber batter, who possesses speed and power. Everett was also one of the most aggressive power-hitters for the Lady Hornets this pasts season.
Photo By: Michael Hanicj
Harmony Grove catcher Kailee Riggs getting set to tag a player out in the game against El Dorado.