Spring sports in Bryant get back into full swing this evening.

It’ll be a full campus at Bryant High School tonight as the baseball, softball and soccer teams host conference rivals. In addition, the varsity and freshmen track teams are scheduled to compete on the road.

Off campus, the Bryant Athletic Association’s pre-season baseball tournament continues after getting under way on Saturday. The annual Opening Ceremonies for the regular season are scheduled for Saturday, April 10.

The Bryant Softball Association’s ASA 12-and-under pre-season Classic was held March 20-22 with six teams in a double-elimination tournament. Thunder 97 beat out the Ferndale Fireballs for the championship. Prime Time was third.

By Rob Patrick

BATESVILLE — The final score may indicate that the Bryant Lady Hornets picked up right where they left off when spring break came along. Winners of nine in a row, the Lady Hornets pounded the Batesville Lady Pioneers, 14-1, on Monday, March 29. It was their first game in 11 days because their only contest scheduled during the break at Vilonia on Thursday, March 25, was rained out.

“We saw some rust,” Bryant head coach Debbie Stepp stated. “There were a couple of mental errors we made defensively. That’s why they scored their run. I don’t mind a team scoring a run but not because we lapsed on routine plays we should’ve made.

“We also made a couple of base-running errors,” she added, “but, you know, in the girls’ defense, this field is rough.”

The Bryant Hornets B team swept a double-header from their counterparts at Benton at Bryant High School Field Monday night.

The Hornets won the first game 2-0, the second 3-1. The twinbill was a make-up for games rained out earlier in the season.

The second annual Hornet Baseball Camp, directed by Bryant Hornets head baseball coach Kirk Bock, will be held June 7-11 at Ashley Park. The camp is open to all athletes ages 7-14.

Tuition for each camper is $95. To pre-register, mail a completed registration form, with a check made out to Kirk Bock, and send to 6620 Worth Ave., Benton, AR 72019.

PEORIA, Ariz. — Left-hander Travis Wood of Bryant recorded his third hold as he continued to compete for the fifth starter spot for the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.

Wood, a second-round draft pick for the Reds in 2005, worked four innings on Friday against the Seattle Mariners in relief of Mike Leake, another candidate along with Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman for the fifth starter spot. In four innings, Leake allowed one run on three hits with a walk and a strikeout. Wood allowed one run on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.  — The Bryant Hornets wrapped up a 3-1 trip to the Northwest Florida Powerade Classic, winning the third-place game, 5-2, over the Choctawhatchee Indians of Fort Walton Beach on Friday.

Sophomore right-hander Jordan Taylor went the distance on the mound, allowing five hits, no walks and striking out two. Four of the Indians' hits came in a two-run fifth that cut into Bryant's 5-0 lead. Bryant played errorless defense behind him. The only other hit was a third-inning single.

K-9 Splash & Dash Grooming Shop is hosting a “Furry Fundraiser” and fair for the pets of the Bryant Animal Shelter on April 10-11. All proceeds from dog baths done during the event weekend will be donated to the shelter.

The event will be held on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

BRYANT—Senator Shane Broadway will host a hometown kick off event Monday as he launches his campaign for Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas. The event will be held at the historic Bauxite Community Center and Museum from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

CRESTVIEW, Fla. — Blake Davidson pitched a one-hit shutout and the Bryant Hornets scored 12 runs in the last two innings on the way to a 13-0 win over the Shoals Christian Flame of Florence, Ala., in the pool play at the 2010 Northwest Florida Powerade Classic.

The Hornets pounded out 18 hits and advances to play in the third-place game for the tournament on Friday at 3 p.m., against a team to be determined earlier on Friday.

By DIANE WINIECKI

As announced earlier this week, Bryant School District has a new superintendent, Randy Rutherford.I had the privilege of talking with Mr. Rutherford and getting to know the man behind the title, a leader who will take the school district into the 21st century of education.

His goals for Bryant School District are simply to continue the excellent foundation set by outgoing superintendent Dr. Richard Abernathy and the voice of Bryant residents, addressing new facilities and continued growth of the school district and implementing problem solving and critical thinking skills.