MONTICELLO, Ark. – A complete-game gem by senior Ervin Rivera and three runs over the final two innings lifted the Warren baseball team to a 3-2 victory at Monticello Wednesday evening in the 4A-8 conference opener for both teams.
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By Dennen Cuthbertson
Saline River Chronicle Sports Contributor
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The Lumberjacks improve to 4-0 overall and more importantly, 1-0 in conference play. The Billies are now 2-2 on the young season and 0-1 in league action.
Monticello got on the board first with a triple and ensuing RBI single in the bottom of the first. Neither team could muster up much offense through most of the contest, but the Billes put their second run on the board with the help of three Warren errors in the bottom of the fifth.
The Orange and Black, now trailing 2-0, received its first hit of the ballgame when Ren Reep singled to center field to lead off the sixth frame. Kolby Pope walked and a new pitcher entered the game for the home team. A wild pitch advanced both runners one base ahead of Nathan Spears, who knocked in Warren’s first run with a groundout to the shortstop.
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The Jacks tried a squeeze play to score Pope, now standing 90 feet from home plate, but missed the bunt. However, Monticello tried to throw behind the runner and the throw got away from the third baseman allowing Pope to tie the game.
Monticello was retired in order in the bottom of the sixth before Jackson Denton led off with a walk in the top of the seventh. Denton advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jude Cathey and found his way to third base with two outs after a groundout by Tucker McDiarmid. Antonio (AJ) Jordan, fresh out of basketball, stepped up to the plate and hit a soft groundball to the shortstop. The junior hustled down the line for an infield hit to score Denton and advanced to second on a high throw. A flyout to center field ended the threat.
The Lumberjacks, now holding their first lead of the game at 3-2, sent Rivera out to the bump to put the finishing touches on a complete game. Rivera did just that as he induced a lineout to second base and fly ball to left-center field for the first two outs of the frame. The senior issued a two-out walk, but a short popup in foul territory was run down by first baseman Bryson Harris just inside the fence for the third out to clinch the one-run victory.
Rivera allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits with eight strikeouts against one walk to pick up the win on the mound. He only allowed one baserunner over the final two innings. Reep and Jordan tallied the only hits of the game for Warren, but the Jacks walked six times in the game. Reep, Pope, and Denton scored for the visitors with Pope adding a stolen base.
The Lumberjacks are scheduled to take the field again on Friday, March 8 in another 4A-8 conference showdown against Stuttgart. First pitch from the Warren Sports Complex is set for 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.
