WARREN, Ark. – A six-run first inning for the Hamburg Lions proved to be too much for the Warren Lumberjacks baseball team to overcome in a 7-4 setback Monday evening at the Warren Sports Complex.
Warren (6-9, 3-7 in 4A-8) outscored Hamburg (6-8, 5-5 in 4A-8) 4-1 after the first frame and outhit the Lions 8-7 on the day, but left eight runners on base.
By Dennen Cuthbertson
Saline River Chronicle Contributor
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The visitors started quickly after the first three guys reached on a walk, error, and single with one run crossing the plate. A loud out on a deep sacrifice fly scored another run to put Hamburg ahead 2-0. The next four hitters reached on three singles and a walk to chase starter Ervin Rivera from the contest. Kolby Pope relieved and recorded the final two outs of the frame, but not before four more runs touched home plate for the Lions.
Warren threatened in the bottom half with singles by Nathan Spears and Pope to lead off, but two strikeouts and a groundout ended the frame. Hamburg pushed across an unearned run in the top of the seventh to move in front 7-0. The Jacks plated their first run of the contest in the third inning when Maddox Lassiter doubled home Spears, who had reached on an error.
The Orange and Black put together another rally in the fifth inning when Bryson Harris doubled home Lassiter and Spears with two outs to claw back to 7-3. In the final frame, Spears led off with a double and Lassiter walked to put runners on the corners with one out. Delfino Rivera was able to drive Spears home with a fielder’s choice, but Hamburg only needed one more out to win the game. Harris was hit by a pitch to bring the tying run to the plate, but a groundout ended the threat to give the Lions a 7-3 win.
Spears went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored a team-best three runs to earn the Greg Harton Shelter Insurance Player of the Game award. The sophomore had a single, double, and was hit by a pitch and also made a couple of nice plays in the field at third base.
Lassiter had another strong performance with two hits, including a double, and an RBI along with a run scored. Harris had one hit, but it was a big one as he drove home a team-high two runs. Ervin Rivera registered a two-hit performance, including a double to the left-field wall. Freshman Ren Reep played a fantastic game at shortstop after sliding over from second base when Pope went to the mound.
Pope kept the Jacks in the game on the bump as the sophomore right-hander threw 6 and 2/3 innings. He allowed an unearned run on three hits with six punchouts against five walks. Hamburg’s Tyler Jacks went the distance and the left-hander’s curveball was very tough on Warren as he struck out 11 and didn’t walk a batter, though he did hit three.
The Lumberjacks are back in action tomorrow evening at Watson Chapel. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
Monday night was also senior night. The Lumberjacks honored seniors Landon Wolfe, Delfino Rivera, and Maddox Lassiter. A cake was presented in celebration of their contributions to the Warren Lumberjack Baseball program.