Editor’s note: Mark Buffalo, the author of this report, is the Sports Editor for The Grand Prairie Herald.

Des Arc pitcher Kaylee McDonald ended her Lady Eagles softball career with the most strikeouts in a season in state history.

McDonald, who will continue her playing career at Southern Miss,  struck out a combined 17 batters in the Class 2A state tournament last week to end the season with 361. The previous record was 354 by Meagan Allen of East Poinsett County in 2018.

McDonald ended her career with 1,120 strikeouts, which is good enough for second place in state history. She was 19 shy of the career record, which is held by Brinkley Moreton of Lincoln from 2022-25. 

Des Arc’s season ended with a 9-6 loss to Horatio in the quarterfinal round of the Class 2A state tournament Friday at Palestine-Wheatley. 

Des Arc led 2-0 after two innings. Horatio scored five in the third, two in the fourth and two in the fifth. Des Arc tried to get back into the game with three runs in the top of the sixth. The Lady Eagles were then retired in order in the top of the seventh. 

McDonald gave up seven earned runs on 10 hits. She struck out seven while walking two. 

Bailey Robison was 4 for 4 with five RBIs. Her lone run was a home run. 

Emma Buckner scored two runs. Also scoring were Elajah Reaves, Zoey Prince and Allison Collins. 

Des Arc opened the state tournament with an 8-1 win over Hector on Thursday. 

McDonald gave up four hits and no earned runs while striking out 10. 

Buckner was 3 for 4 with two doubles and three runs scored. 

Robison and Prince scored two runs each. Ava Smith scored once. 

McDonald also had two hits. Getting one hit each were Robison, Layla Gardner, Reagan Kittler, Reaves and Prince.