WARREN, Ark. – On a cold Tuesday night, March 14 the Lady Jack softball team played host to the Lady Eagles of Crossett.

The Lady Eagles got on the scoreboard early and often in the top of the first as they took a 7-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, the Lady Jacks picked a run back when Paige Byrd scored on a single by Hannah Taulbee.

Top photo: Ember Johnson throws a runner out at first during Tuesday’s Lady Jack game vs. Crossett. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

By David King

Saline River Chronicle Contributor

This Lady Jack Softball game report is brought to you by:

Paige Byrd scores Warren’s opening run of the night vs. Crossett in the first inning. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

In the top of the second the Eagles got a couple of base runners on, but a pitcher’s best friend, a 6-4-3 double play got Warren out of the inning. The double-play combo was Ember Johnson, to Paige Byrd, to Kailey Henry. In the bottom of the second inning Warren went down in order. Crossett led 7-1.

In the top of the third Crossett picked up two runs to extend their lead to 9-1. Ember Johnson led off the bottom of the third with a triple. With one out Kailey Henry drove in Johnson with an RBI single.

At the end of four the Lady Jacks trailed 9-2.

Crossett picked up a run in the top of the fourth inning. Warren went down in order in the bottom half.

In the top of the fifth the Lady Eagles picked up a run to extend their lead to 11-2. Heidi Taulbee led off the inning with a single followed by Ember Johnson with a double. Paige Byrd drove in Taulbee with a sacrifice. Kailey Henry had an RBI single to score Johnson. At the end of five, Crossett led 11-4.

The Lady Eagles scored 2 more runs to push the lead to 13-4. Unfortunately, the Lady Jacks left three runners stranded in the bottom of the sixth.

Crossett scored one run in the top of the seventh inning. The Lady Jacks were unable to put any runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning.

Crossett defeated the Lady Jacks 14-4.

For the Lady Jacks, Ember Johnson went 2-for-3 and scored two runs. Kailey Henry went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Heidi Taulbee went 1-for-2 and scored a run. Hannah Taulbee went 1-for-4. Paige Byrd also scored a run. She was named the Greg Harton Shelter Insurance Player of the Game after putting in a wonderful defensive performance.

The Lady Jacks travel to Star City for a game on Wednesday, March 15. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m.