SPRINGDALE -- Bentonville was able to release some frustration against Springdale Har-Ber on Thursday.

The Lady Tigers scored seven runs in the sixth inning to break open a close game and defeat the Lady Wildcats 12-2 in 6A-West Conference action at JB Hunt Park. Megan Crownover slammed a three-run home run following an RBI double by Jenna Wildeman to cap the rally.

"That was a good, deep ball for Jenna and as soon as Crownover hit hers, I thought 'thank you,'" Bentonville coach Kent Early said. "Crownover came up big. She's a senior and we moved her up in the lineup, where we count on her to do something big."

Bentonville's big inning was relief for Early, who watched his team leave the bases loaded in the first two innings and strand two more in the second inning. Har-Ber closed to within 4-2 following a two-run home run by Sophie Wood before the Lady Tigers regrouped and put the game away in the sixth.

"We struggled and they had a good gameplan," Early said. "We had bases loaded two innings in a row, but we did not get the big hit. It was a hard game, no doubt. But we competed and I'm proud of them for pulling out a win."

Bentonville (9-5, 6-1) entered the game after losing two of its past three, including a 5-4 defeat to Bentonville West on Tuesday that knocked the Lady Tigers out of first place in the league. Springdale Har-Ber (6-11, 2-6) battled the three-time defending state champions for much of the game after losing 13-3 to Fayetteville on Tuesday.

Gabbie Smith led off the fourth inning with a bunt single off McKenzie Vaughan and scored on a line-drive home run to left field by Wood. Vaughan struck out seven and allowed five hits. Jacey Ewert added a double for the Lady Wildcats.

"McKenzie did good," Early said. "She got in some situations and she worked her way out of it. She got it done."

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Vaughan and Seekington; Swaffar and Smith. W -- Vaughan. L -- Swaffar. HR -- Crownover.
