Lady Jacks post 17 runs, but come up short in loss to Cardinals

WARREN, Ark. – The Warren Lady Jack Softball team fell to the Camden Fairview Lady Cardinals Monday afternoon, March 6, 2023 in a what amounted to a barn-burner by the final of 21-17 at home at the Warren Complex.

The Lady Cardinals jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Paige Byrd drew a one-out walk and stole second base but was left stranded.

Top photo: Lady Jack Ember Johnson slides in to score during Warren’s Monday game vs. Camden Fairview. Johnson went four for five at the plate and was named the Lady Jack Player of the Game. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

By David King

Saline River Chronicle Contributor

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The Lady Cardinals failed to score in the top of the second. For the Lady Jacks, Bracy Bickers had a one-out single. She then stole second base. With two outs, Jolie Trussell singled. However, Bickers was thrown out at the plate trying to score.

In the top of the third, Camden picked up two runs to pad their lead. Trailing 3-0, the Lady Jacks exploded offensively to take a 12-3 lead. Warren sent 15 batters to the plate. Heidi Taulbee reached base to lead off the bottom of the third inning. Ember Johnson doubled, Kailey Henry singled, Bracy Bickers singled, Alisa Calbert singled, Jolie Trussell singled. Heidi Taulbee then drew a base on balls followed by Ember Johnson with a single. Paige Byrd doubled. Charlie Wardlaw then hit a two-run blast to left-center.

Warren’s Charlie Wardlaw hammers a two-run homer during the bottom of the third vs. Camden Fairview. Photo by Saline River Chronicle.

Unfortunately the Lady Cards’ offense came to life in the top of the fourth. They sent 19 batters to the plate and scored 12 runs to take a 15-12 lead. The Lady Jacks were able to tie it up at 15-15. Jolie Trussell started a two-out rally with a single. Heidi Taulbee followed with a single. Ember Johnson and Paige Byrd each had back to back doubles.

Neither team scored in the 5th inning.

The Lady Cards scored four runs in their half of the sixth. The Lady Jacks scored two runs in the bottom half. Heidi Taulbee singled with one out in the bottom of the sixth. Ember Johnson doubled to score Taulbee. Paige Byrd ripped a double to score Ember Johnson. At the end of six innings, Camden Fairview led 21-17.

The Lady Jacks held Fairview scoreless in the top of the seventh. In their last at bat, Bracy Bickers singled, followed by Alisa Calbert with a base on balls. Warren left them stranded.

Ember Johnson went four of five at the plate with three doubles and scored four runs. She was named the Lady Jack Player of the Game. Paige Byrd went three for four with two doubles. Charlie Wardlaw went two for four with a home run. Bracy Bickers went two for four. Jolie Trussell went three for five with a double. Heidi Taulbee was two for four while scoring four runs.

The Lady Jacks fall to 0-2 on the season. They next get set to host Monticello in a quick turnaround game Tuesday, March 7.