20 May 2015 Lyons, Lady Eagles headed to 5A softball final
by Levi Gilbert
Conventional baseball and softball wisdom holds that the shortstop position is usually filled by the best overall player on the field. Vilonia’s Buggy Lyons meets that mold and then some.
“If any kid in Arkansas deserves to be recognized for their accomplishments, efforts and hard work, it is Buggy Lyons,” said Kevin Sullivan, Vilonia’s head softball coach. “She’s the kid that makes your team go. She’s the type of kid that you would hang your hat on, regardless of the situation.”
Lyons has the Vilonia Lady Eagles on the cusp of a championship. The senior shortstop has left it all on the field in her final season.
“She’s very smooth at shortstop with a good arm,” Sullivan said. “This is usually overshadowed by the amazing effort she gives day-in, day-out. She swings the bat as well as any kid I’ve ever coached. She’s such a tough out and usually makes the defense make plays.
“She’s the type of kid that every coach wants on their team. She’s very studious and is as competitive in the classroom as she is on the field. She always responds with a ‘yes sir, no sir’ or ‘yes ma’am, no ma’am’ and never leaves practice without saying thank you. She’s definitely the type of kid you would trust your kids with.”
The Lady Eagles defeated DeQueen, 10-0, Monday in the 5A semi-finals and will face Paragould at 12:30 p.m. Friday at the University of Arkansas Bogle Park. Lyons and her teammates are looking to avenge a loss in the finals from last season.
“I just go out every day and try to be better than the day before, learn from my mistakes and support my team any way that I can,” Lyons said. “I try to give 100 percent every day. Some days aren’t as easy but I always try.”
On the field and in life, Lyons lives by the motto, “practice like you want to play ‘cause on game day, you’ll play like you practiced.”
“Buggy displays great sportsmanship on and off the field,” Sullivan said. “She’s very positive and you never hear a negative comment from her or see a negative look on her face. She doesn’t yell at teammates and never addresses umpires. She understands her role as the student-athlete. She carries the game with her when it’s over, but not to the extreme. She’s passionate, but not obnoxious. She loves to play, and it shows in her game.
“She doesn’t say a lot, so when she speaks up, it’s heard. She leads by example. She’ll never ask anyone to do anything that she wouldn’t do herself, whether that means picking up equipment or the effort in which she practices and plays.”
Lyons recently graduated, so these last few games have been her last experiences as a Vilonia Lady Eagle.
“My favorite memories are all the friends I have made throughout the years — my softball sisters — and all the time I was able to spend with my family traveling to tournaments,” Lyons said. “I love my community! It’s a place where when driving down the road even people who may not know each other wave or tip their hat to each other. Neighbors help without question. It’s where I hope someday to raise my family.”
Originally from Johnson County, Levi Gilbert now calls Conway home. A 2010 graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, Levi became involved with 501 LIFE in its early days and now serves as the magazine’s associate editor. He and his wife, Brittany, have two sons. Follow Levi on Twitter for more local 501 stories. Send him story ideas at [email protected].
