WARREN, Ark. – The Warren Lady Jacks came up just short in a hard-fought non-conference softball game against the Woodlawn Lady Bears on Monday night, falling 7-5 in a back-and-forth contest.
By David King, SRN Softball Contributor
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Warren jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning after Ember Johnson reached base and Bayleigh Miller delivered a clutch two-out RBI double. The Lady Jacks’ defense held strong in the bottom half, stranding a Woodlawn runner and maintaining their early advantage.
Raeleigh Milton singled to open the second for Warren, but the Lady Jacks were unable to capitalize. In the bottom of the inning, Woodlawn tied the game at 1-1, but shortstop Ember Johnson made a strong defensive play to end the threat and keep the game level.
Haven Johnson led off the third with a single and advanced to third, but Warren couldn’t bring her home. Woodlawn then struck with a two-run home run to take a 3-1 lead.
The Lady Jacks responded in the top of the fourth. Natalie Hargrave and Raeleigh Milton both singled to set the stage. Presley Reep brought in Hargrave with a sacrifice fly, Breize Fellows followed with an RBI double, and Blythe Calloway capped the rally with an RBI single to give Warren a 5-3 lead.
However, Woodlawn answered in the bottom half, using six hits and an error to score four runs and retake the lead 7-5.
The final three innings saw both defenses step up. Warren was retired in order in the fifth and sixth, while the Lady Bears also went down quietly. In the seventh, Warren mounted a final push, getting the tying run on base as Ember Johnson and Charlee Wardlaw both reached safely, but Woodlawn’s pitching held firm to seal the win.
Warren tallied nine hits in the game, with Raeleigh Milton leading the way with two. Defensively, Haven Johnson recorded five putouts in center field, while Charlee Wardlaw had a standout performance behind the plate.
The Lady Jacks return to conference play Tuesday afternoon as they host Crossett at 5:00 p.m.
