FAYETTEVILLE -- Bentonville played Saturday like a team eager to defend its state championship.

The Lady Tigers earned that opportunity after dominating Cabot 10-0 in six innings in the semifinals of the Class 7A state tournament at Asbell Park.

The victory set up a rematch from last year's championship game with North Little Rock, which beat Bryant 19-9 in the other semifinal game Saturday.

Bentonville defeated North Little Rock 12-1 in five innings last spring at Bogle Park to win the state championship.

Payton Wildeman hit two home runs and and had a run-scoring single to give Bentonville (29-1) a 7-0 lead after four innings. Her production was more than enough for senior pitcher Maddy Prough (22-1), who pitched a three-hit shutout with 13 strikeouts.

Prough returned to form after walking seven batters in an 11-6 victory over Bentonville West on Friday. Prough had allowed only 12 walks all season prior to the game.

"She did what she was supposed to do to stay on top of hitters and we were able to help her offensively," Bentonville Coach Kent Early said.

Bentonville scored four runs in the first inning and two more in the second for a 6-0 lead. Jordan Gartman had two doubles and a single while Wildeman, the cleanup hitter, had three hits and led the Lady Tigers with four RBI.

Gartman and Morgan Nelson had doubles in the sixth inning when Bentonville ended the game on the 10-run mercy rule. Cabot (25-6) put more than one batter on base only in the fifth inning with a walk and single by Rylie Hamilton.
