WARREN, Ark. (4/1/25) – Parker O’Neal allowed just two runs in five-plus innings while Kolby Pope recorded the final six outs and picked up three hits to lead the Warren High School baseball team to a 5-2 conference victory over Star City Tuesday evening at the Warren Sports Complex.
By Dennen Cuthbertson, SRN Baseball Contributor
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The Lumberjacks improve to 10-3 overall and are now 2-0 in 4A-8 action, while the Bulldogs drop to 2-9 and 0-2 in league play. The visitors scored in the top of the first after a leadoff walk came around to score on a pitch that went to the backstop. Warren didn’t trail long with a Ryan Spears’ RBI double and Kolby Pope RBI single in the bottom of the second putting the team on top 2-1.
The Orange and Black pushed the lead to 3-1 on an error in the third frame and held that advantage until the top of the sixth. Star City led off with a hit and hit-by-pitch before Pope relieved O’Neal on the mound. An RBI single brought home one run to make it 3-2 before a check-swing single loaded the bases with no outs. Pope induced a soft lineout to second base for the first out, then center fielder AJ Jordan covered a lot of ground on a liner to right-center field, made the catch, and doubled the runner off first base to end the threat.
Leading 3-2, the Jacks added a couple of insurance runs in the bottom half of the sixth when Pope roped an RBI double to left field before scoring on an RBI groundout by Nathan Spears. Pope allowed a leadoff single in the top of the seventh, but recorded the next two outs on ground balls to himself. The senior hurler struck out the final hitter of the game to clinch the 5-2 win for Warren.
O’Neal allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits with five strikeouts and one walk in five-plus innings. Pope didn’t give up a run on three hits with a strikeout and no walks over the final six outs.
Pope’s 3-for-4 effort with two RBIs led the Lumberjacks at the plate. The 5-9 hitters Bryson Harris, O’Neal, Jude Cathey, Tucker McDiarmid, and Ryan Spears each posted one hit.
Warren is scheduled to return to action in another key conference matchup on Friday, April 4 at Crossett. The Eagles are currently 10-4 on the season and 2-0 in league play. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
