Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Cowling All-Star MVP

While everyone in the 7AA knew how good Prescott's Ross Cowling is, the rest of the state had to be shown.

Cowling, the first Curley Wolf to represent Prescott in the Arkansas High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game, played last week at Baum Stadium on the campus of the University of Arkansas, showed what he could do on the hill, in the field and at the plate.

In fact, because of his all around play, Cowling was named the West squad's most valuable player for the game.

Friday, Cowling went two for three at the plate, driving in a total of three runs, as the West team posted an impressive 11-4 win over the East.

Cowling, after the game, said the most important factor in the contest was not winning or losing, but performing well for the scouts on hand. In the seven years of this game, the East holds a 9-3 advantage.

According to Prescott baseball coach Steve Crow, this event showcases the finest senior baseball players in the state, with 100 getting the experience of a lifetime.

In Friday's contest, Crow said, Cowling started, playing five innings in right field, where he was responsible for two put-outs.

His first at-bat in the second was less than impressive as he went down on strikes. However, in the fourth, Cowling's second time up, the West trailed 3-0 with runners at second and third.

Two outs showed on the scoreboard before Cowling lined a double down the left field line to drive the two on base in and cut the gap to 3-2.

In the fifth, Cowling singled between first and second into right field to drive in his third RBI of the game and push his squad's lead to 7-3.

Game two, played Saturday, May 24, saw Cowling come in as a relief pitcher in the bottom of the fourth.

At the time, the West trailed 7-2 and the East crew had already scored twice in the frame.

Cowling's strong right arm put an end to the East's attack.

With two down and a runner at second, Cowling got Trumann's David Box to ground out ending the inning. This helped Cowling get a measure of revenge, as Trumann ended Prescott's march through the state tournament.

In the fifth, Cowling got Lake Village's Julius Hudson and Brandon Rogers of DeWitt to fly out. Barton's Jason Burke was fanned as he retired the side in order.

The sixth saw the Prescott ace walk Matt Wallace of Riverside before getting Matt Rabjohn of Clay County to fly out. Bud Rice, a Hermitage player, followed by grounding into a fielder's choice with Wallace out at second. Tuckerman's Eddie Smith was the final out on a grounder.

Cowling's All-Star summary is worth noting. In four at-bats, he recorded two hits, one a double, drove in three and fanned twice.

On the hill, he spent two and a third innings, giving up no hits, no runs, walking one and fanning one.

Because of this, he earned the MVP honors for the West All-Stars.

"I'm proud of Cowling," Crow said. "For being the first ever Curley Wolf baseball player to be selected to the All-Star team, then go and play well enough in the game to be named most valuable player; it was a dream come true.

"I hope this inspires future players of Prescott to accomplish what he did. I know the people of Prescott are proud of Cowling also, and I hope someday they will realize what a big part of our program he was."

Cowling said attending last summer's Razorback baseball camp made playing at Baum Stadium less intimidating.

Along with being named MVP of the All-Star game, Cowling was earlier named to the All-District team.