WARREN, Ark. – The Warren Lady Jacks wrapped up their regular season in dominant fashion with back-to-back home victories over Watson Chapel and Magnolia, outscoring their opponents by a combined total of 28-2.
By David King, SRN Softball Contributor
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In Friday’s final conference matchup against Watson Chapel, Warren responded to a first-inning 1-0 deficit with an explosive six-run bottom half. Haven Johnson, hit by a pitch, came around to score on a pair of throwing errors. Ember Johnson and Charlee Wardlaw each reached and scored on subsequent miscues and an RBI single by Raeleigh Milton. Natalie Hargrave followed with a triple to drive in Milton and later scored on a Breize Fellows sacrifice fly to give Warren a 5-1 lead after one.
The Lady Jack defense stepped up in the second as Wardlaw erased a leadoff single by catching the runner attempting to steal second. Offensively, Livi McKinney delivered a two-RBI single in the third, and in the fourth, Hargrave’s second triple of the day brought in two more runs, extending the lead to 9-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, Warren loaded the bases and Ember Johnson’s two-run single sealed the 11-1 run-rule win. Hargrave led the offense going a perfect 3-for-3, while Ember Johnson, Blythe Calloway, and Livi McKinney each went 2-for-3.
The Lady Jacks improved to 14-5 overall and 6-4 in conference play.
On Monday, Warren hosted Magnolia in the regular season finale and delivered another lopsided win, defeating the Lady Panthers 17-1 in four innings.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the Lady Jacks exploded for five runs in the second. RBIs from Blythe Calloway, Haven Johnson, Bayleigh Miller, and Raeleigh Milton pushed the lead to 6-0.
In the third, Magnolia managed to load the bases but scored only once, thanks in part to a key defensive play by shortstop Ember Johnson.
Warren answered with a massive 11-run fourth inning. Presley Reep started the rally with a two-RBI double, followed by a two-run triple from Hargrave. Calloway, Haven and Ember Johnson, Miller, Reep, and Fellows all contributed hits in the inning. Hargrave capped the outburst with a two-RBI double–her third hit of the game.
Haven Johnson led the offense with a 3-for-3 performance. Miller, Reep, and Hargrave each went 3-for-4, with Calloway, Ember Johnson, and Fellows collecting two hits apiece. Wardlaw added a 1-for-2 outing.
In a rare feat, Miller, Reep, and Hargrave each tallied two hits in the fourth inning alone.
Raeleigh Milton picked up the win in the circle, finishing the regular season with a 14-5 record.
Warren concludes the regular season at 15-5. The Lady Jacks will open postseason play Thursday at 5:30 p.m. against DeQueen in the regional tournament.
