Harold McIlvain II

I'm the guy wearing the Red Sox hat helping the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette cover sports in the River Valley. University of Arkansas and Van Buren graduate.

[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

"We tell them every year these are the guys you are going to play with for the summer, but they could be your best man at your wedding."

In today's print of the paper, a preview of the @FSMSportsman, who look to reload for state tourney runs and have another fun summer

#ARpreps

[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

"Our motto is all-in. It's a privilege to be in a pressure situation like this."

Scranton's DeLaney Mainer (W, 7 IP, 8 K; 3 H, go-ahead 2 RBI) was at her best to help the Lady Rockets rally and return to the 1A state championship game. Full story in today's paper.

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

1A 🥎 final
Taylor 4, West Side 1

Eight time defending champ Taylor was down to its final 2 outs but used a 4-run 7th to rally. Anistyn Nolte got the win and tied it at 1-1 with an RBI. Kallie McHenry with the go-ahead RBI.

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

Final 4 at the 1A state 🥎 tournament! Dreams of a state title still alive for Scranton (last title in 2015), West Side (last title in 2007), Taylor (8-time defending champs) and Bradley (seek 1st title).

Scranton vs. Bradley, 2 p.m.
West Side vs. Taylor, 4:30 p.m.

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

1A 🥎 final
Scranton 5, Bradley 2

The Lady Rockets are returning to the championship game seeking their first title since 2015! Key efforts from DeLaney Mainer (W, 7 IP, 8 K; 3 H, go-ahead RBI) & Mackenzie Croft (game-tying HR)

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

1A 🥎 finals

Scranton 10, Concord 0 (5 innings)

Bradley 3, Wonderview 0

West Side 12, Viola 0 (5 innings)

Taylor 17, County Line 3 (5 innings)

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

Day 2 of the 1A state 🥎 tournament is set! Scranton as hosts used heroics to advance. County Line was the only seeding upset. Taylor (8-time defending champs), Concord ('25 runner-ups) and West Side (No. 1 seed) all were impressive as well 🍿

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

1A 🥎 finals

Scranton 2, Bradford 1

Concord 5, Bearden 1

Wonderview 5, Norfork 3

Bradley 9, Calico Rock 1

West Side 15, Mineral Springs 0

Viola 11, Sacred Heart 5

Taylor 10, Marked Tree 0

County Line 7, Nemo Vista 1

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

It's 🥎 game day! Scranton for the 1st time in program history hosts the 1A state softball tournament. Taylor enters as the 8-time (!) defending champions. Concord (runner-ups), Scranton (semifinalist) and Sacred Heart (semifinalist) also are contenders 🍿

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

It's state tournament week! Huge congrats to all the River Valley teams that made the big dance. Twenty five area programs are blessed with the opportunity to chase titles!

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

Final ⚾
Booneville 4, Elkins 1

Bearcats capture a regional title for the first time since 2024! Key efforts by Parker Smith (W, 5.1, 8 K, 7 LOB), Tayden Washburn (S, 1.2 IP, 2 K) & Cutler Haller (squeeze bunt RBI to start 4-run inning)

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

It's ⚾️ game day! Booneville and Elkins square off for the 3A-1 regional tournament title. The Bearcats last won a regional in 2024, while Elkins last won a regional in 2023. Both programs have impressed this week, but only one gets some new hardware 🍿

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

Third place game ⚾
Mansfield 10, Paris 5

Colton Moore (3-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, HR, 2 2B) led the offensive charge with Hunter Whittaker (W, 3 IP, 0 R, 4 K; 2 H, 2 R, RBI) coming out of the bullpen for Tigers to secure No. 3 seed

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

Final ⚾
Elkins 11, Mansfield 1 (6 innings)

Elks advance to the regional final behind a strong two-way effort from Logan Farber (W, 5.2 IP, 6 K; 3 H, 2 R, 2 RBI).

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

It's ⚾️ game day! After the opening round at the 3A-1 baseball regional, plenty has changed from last year with defending champion Charleston and defending runner-up Greenland already out. River Valley well represented. Two great matchups ahead! 🍿

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

Final ⚾
Booneville 10, Paris 0 (6 innings)

Bearcats advance to the regional final behind strong efforts from Rhett Nietert (W, 5.1, 6 K, 10 LOB; 3 H, 3 R), Casey Carter (3 2-out RBI) & Hayden Daniel (3 R)

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

Finals 🥎 1A-1 regional

Scranton 17, Omaha 0 (3 innings)
(combined perfect game)

Norfork 1, Magazine 0
(secured 1st state tournament appearance ever)

Viola 20, Mulberry 0 (3 innings)
(no-hitter)

County Line 19, Jasper 1 (3 innings)

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

It's 🥎 game day! The 1A-1 regional tournament begins in Mulberry. It's win or have your season end today. Scranton won this over County Line last year; Magazine took 3rd.

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

Girls final ⚽
Van Buren 4, Alma 1

@VbhsLPSoccer get a rivalry win on senior night behind a season-high 4 goals! Kimberly Castaneda, Martha Mendez, @odenhope1 (1st career) & Sarai Maldonado with scores

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

It's ⚽️ game day! Alma travels to Van Buren for rivalry 5A-West action. Senior night for Van Buren provides plenty of emotions. And it always means just a little more when these Crawford County programs play!

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[Harold McIlvain II @hmcilvain2]

Boys final ⚽
Van Buren 5, Alma 0

@VBHSboyssoccer sends its seniors out right in a rivalry win! Goals from Ko Phalakhone, Jaden Alvarez, Said Mendez-Hernandez, Santiago Dela Funte & Carter Kelley

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