WARREN, Ark. – The Warren Lumberjacks baseball team scored the first and last runs of the game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Monticello in the 4A-8 Conference opener for both teams Tuesday evening at the Warren Sports Complex.
Warren falls to 1-2 overall on the young season and 0-1 in league play, while the Billies are 5-0 and 1-0.
Top photo: Maddox Lassiter at the plate for Warren. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.
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The Jacks struck first when Delfino Rivera doubled home Nathan Spears in the bottom of the first inning after Ervin Rivera retired the visitors in order in the top half. However, Monticello evened the score at 1-1 on a sacrifice fly in the top of the second and extended its advantage to 3-1 in the next frame on a steal of home and run-scoring single.
Warren threatened in the bottom of the third when Ervin Rivera walked and Spears singled to put two runners on in front of Maddox Lassiter. Lassiter belted the first pitch he saw deep to right field and the ball appeared to be heading over the fence for a Lumberjack lead. However, the Billies’ right fielder was able to catch the ball with his back against the wall for the second out and a runner was thrown out at the plate trying to score to get the visitors out of the inning.
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Monticello tacked on another run in the next frame to move ahead 4-1, but Warren put runners on the corners with one out in the bottom half. The threat was quelled after a pop out and fielder’s choice unfortunately for the Jacks.
The home team put together another rally in the bottom of the sixth inning after two walks to begin the frame. After a pitching change, the Billies recorded the next two outs but Landon Wolfe singled home a run to make the score 4-2. Wolfe advanced to second on the throw to put the tying runs in scoring position but a strikeout ended the inning.
Monticello was retired in order by Kolby Pope in the top of the seventh inning, but the Billies returned the favor by recording a strikeout, groundout, and pop out in the bottom half of the frame to give Warren a 4-2 defeat.
Delfino Rivera was named the Lumberjack Player of the Game as Monticello failed to get him out during the contest. The senior was 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and a walk.
Ervin Rivera pitched the first four innings for Warren and gave up four runs on six hits with four punchouts and a walk. Pope relieved him and threw three scoreless frames with three strikeouts, no walks, and two hits allowed.
The Orange and Black are scheduled to be back in action at the Warren Sports Complex Thursday afternoon versus Maumelle Charter High School. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.
