WARREN, Ark. – The Warren Lumberjacks baseball team entered the fifth inning trailing just 1-0, but Stuttgart scored 10 runs over the last two frames to give Warren an 11-0 loss in six innings Tuesday evening at the Warren Sports Complex.
The Lumberjacks (6-5, 3-3 in 4A-8) were outhit by the Ricebirds (10-2, 6-0 in 4A-8) 11-2 and made three errors while Stuttgart only had one mishap. Stuttgart’s pitching also allowed just one walk while Warren gave up seven free passes.
Top photo: Ervin Rivera pictured during the top of the first inning Tuesday vs. Stuttgart.
By Dennen Cuthbertson
Saline River Chronicle Contributor
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Despite those numbers the Jacks were only down 1-0 entering the fifth inning. The lone run scored in the top of the first for the Ricebirds after three consecutive singles with two outs. Two of the three hits weren’t sharply hit but were able to find the outfield grass. Maddox Lassiter singled with two outs and stole second base in the bottom half of the first, but was left stranded. The Jacks’ only other hit in the game came with two outs in the third from Nathan Spears.
Starting pitcher Ervin Rivera spun four innings of one-run ball, but walked the first two batters of the fifth inning. Sophomore Kolby Pope entered in relief and allowed a single after a wild pitch for Stuttgart to move ahead 3-0. The visitors added an unearned run on an RBI groundout to set the score at 4-0.
Ervin Rivera reached on an error in the bottom of the fifth and was at third base with two outs. Freshman Ren Reep smoked a ball that appeared to go over the third base bag for a run-scoring single. However, the ball was ruled foul and Reep went down swinging to end the threat.
The Ricebirds would go on to add seven runs in the top of the sixth inning to move in front 11-0. Only four of the runs in the frame were earned and Stuttgart was fortunate to have a couple of bloop singles fall as a part of its five hits in the inning. Warren was retired in order in the bottom half to clinch the 11-0 win for the Ricebirds, who are atop the 4A-8 Conference standings.
Ervin Rivera was named the Greg Harton Shelter Insurance Player of the Game. The junior pitcher allowed three runs on five hits with five strikeouts and three walks. After some unfortunate luck in the opening frame he settled down to keep the game at 1-0 until the fifth inning.
Lassiter and Spears registered the only two hits from Warren, while Delfino Rivera was the only player to reach on a walk. Spears also threw out a runner attempting to steal to end the fourth inning.
Warren returns to action against conference foe Crossett on the road Friday, April 14. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.