WARREN, Ark. – The Warren Lady Jacks faced off against the Star City Lady Bulldogs on Saturday in a 4A Regional Tournament seeding game to determine the third and fourth-place positions, ultimately falling 10-9 in a back-and-forth contest.
By David King, SRN Softball Contributor
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Warren got off to a fast start, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Haven Johnson and Ember Johnson each singled, and Raeleigh Milton drove in Haven with an RBI single. Despite loading the bases, the Lady Jacks were unable to extend their early advantage.
Star City responded quickly, putting up three runs in the bottom of the inning to grab a 3-1 lead. In the second, Haven Johnson delivered a two-out double but was left stranded. The Lady Bulldogs capitalized in the bottom of the frame, scoring two more to stretch their lead to 5-1.
Raeleigh Milton doubled and scored with two outs in the third to close the gap. Warren then held Star City scoreless in the bottom half, followed by a scoreless fourth from both squads. The Lady Jacks entered the fifth trailing 5-2.
Warren’s bats heated up in the fifth. Charlee Wardlaw singled, and Bayleigh Miller followed with a two-run home run. Milton added another single and came around to score, tying the game at 5-5. The Lady Jacks again left the bases loaded but had evened the contest.
The Lady Jacks’ defense held firm in the bottom of the fifth, keeping the score tied. Warren was held off the board in the sixth before Star City struck again with a three-run inning to take an 8-5 lead.
Showing resilience, the Lady Jacks surged in the top of the seventh. Natalie Hargrave, Breize Fellows, Ember Johnson, Wardlaw, and Milton all delivered hits, leading to a four-run rally and a 9-8 advantage.
However, Star City managed to piece together two runs in the bottom of the seventh to walk it off, handing Warren a hard-fought 10-9 loss.
Offensively, Raeleigh Milton had a stellar day at the plate, going 5-for-5. Haven Johnson was perfect as well, finishing 2-for-2 with two walks. Bayleigh Miller added a two-run homer, while Ember Johnson, Charlee Wardlaw, Natalie Hargrave, Breize Fellows, and Blythe Callaway each collected two hits.
The Lady Jacks now turn their attention to the 4A State Tournament in Monticello.
