CROSSETT, Ark. – The Warren Lady Jacks softball squad traveled to Crossett to take on the Lady Eagles in a 4A-8 conference game Tuesday evening and came away with a 13-4 victory over the Lady Eagles.
David King
Saline River Chronicle Sports Contributor
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Warren improved to 5-1 on the season overall and is now 2-1 in conference play, while Crossett fell to 2-3 and 0-2. This game also marked the return of Charlee Wardlaw from knee surgery.
With one out in the top of the first Haven Johnson doubled. She scored on an RBI double by Ember Johnson and then Ember Johnson scored on an RBI double by Charlee Wardlaw. Warren loaded the bases and threatened to score more, however, they were left stranded. Crossett had two base runners in the bottom half but the Lady Jacks’ defense stepped up and held them scoreless so Warren led 2-0 after the first inning.
Warren went down in order to start the second. In Crossett’s half of the inning, their lead-off batter walked, but Lady Jacks’ pitcher Raeleigh Milton held the Lady Eagles scoreless. Ember Johnson doubled to lead off the third inning, but was called out on a controversial call one batter later. In the bottom of the 3rd, Warren’s pitching and defense sent Crossett away quietly to maintain a 2-0 advantage.
Paige Byrd led off the top of the 4th for the Lady Jacks with an infield single. One out later, Milton singled. However, the Lady Jacks were unable to score. Crossett failed to mount any threat in the bottom of the inning. Haven Johnson ripped a double to lead off the fifth and Ember Johnson followed with an RBI double. Wardlaw drove in Ember Johnson with an RBI single and came around to score on Paige Byrd’s sacrifice fly. Bayleigh Miller scored on a Crossett error as Warren stretched its lead to 6-0.
Crossett scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to end Milton’s and the Lady Jacks’ 11-inning scoreless streak. Warren still led 6-2. Breize Fellows doubled to lead off the sixth inning, then stole third, and scored on a passed ball. Haven Johnson and Ember Johnson both reached base with a walk before Miller delivered an RBI single along with Byrd. Miller scored on a Crossett passed ball to give the Lady Jacks a 10-2 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Crossett went down 1-2-3 and featured center fielder Haven Johnson’s ESPN SportsCenter highlight worthy catch. Warren’s lead remained 10-2.
After a walk by Fellows, Haven Johnson delivered an RBI single in the top of the seventh inning. Wardlaw had a sacrifice to score Haven Johnson and Byrd had an RBI single to move Warren in front by a score of 13-2. The Lady Eagles picked up two runs in the bottom half but it was too little, too late. The Lady Jacks won the game 13-4.
At the plate for the Lady Jacks:
- Breize Fellows: 2-4 with a double
- Haven Johnson: 3-4, all doubles
- Ember Johnson: 3-4, all doubles
- Charlee Wardlaw: 2-5 with a double
- Bayleigh Miller: 3-5 with a double
- Paige Byrd: 3-4, all singles
- Natalie Hargrave: 1-3 with a single
- Raeleigh Milton: 1-3 with a single
On the mound, Milton got the win. She gave up 6 hits, struck out 2, and walked 3 to get her 5th win of the season. The Lady Jacks host Star City tomorrow (Wednesday) night at 5:00 p.m.
The above story was originally reported by Saline River Chronicle. Any re-publication on a commercial news site or in print is prohibited unless credit is given to Saline River Chronicle.