WARREN, Ark. (5/4/26) – The Warren Lumberjacks baseball team traveled to Malvern for a final tune-up Monday evening before the 4A-4 Regional Tournament and came away with a 14-7 loss despite holding an early lead.
By Dennen Cuthbertson
Saline River News Baseball Contributor
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The Lumberjacks are now 11-9 overall with the loss, while Malvern improves to 16-7. This was the second meeting for the teams this season as Warren defeated the Leopards 16-9 in the Robinson Invitational over Spring Break. Both teams will play in regional tournaments later this week. Warren, the second seed from the 4A-8, is scheduled to play Camden Fairview on Thursday, May 7 in Crossett.
The Jacks raced out to an early 4-0 lead after two innings with Jude Cathey driving home the first run of the game in the top of the first. Tucker McDiarmid ripped an RBI double in the second frame for a 2-0 edge and Ren Reep followed with a run-scoring single with another run scoring on an error to make the score 4-0.
The Leopards responded back with a 10-run inning in the bottom of the third. Malvern scored three to get within one run with two outs in the inning. A Warren error left the door open for the home team and they took full advantage by scoring seven more runs for a 10-4 lead.
The Jacks wouldn’t go down without a fight though as the team scored one on an error to get within 10-5 with no outs in the top of the fourth. McDiarmid swatted an RBI single to bring the deficit to 10-6 and keep the momentum rolling. However, the Leopards were able to get Warren to ground into a double play to take control of the inning despite a run scoring to get the Jacks within 10-7.
Malvern would go on to add a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 12-7 advantage and plated two more in the fifth to extend the lead to 14-7. Warren was retired in order in the sixth and seventh innings to seal the win for the Leopards.
McDiarmid led the team with two hits, two RBIs, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Zech Bush had a productive day at the plate with a double and a run scored. Logan Case and Aceen Jurado both scored twice.
Coleman Byrd started the game on the mound for Warren and looked good through two scoreless innings before the big third inning for Malvern. He allowed six runs (three earned) on three hits with a couple of strikeouts. Madden Bryant finished the game on the bump and allowed eight runs though only one was earned.
The Lumberjacks return to action on Thursday, May 7 against Camden Fairview, the third seed from the 4A-7, in the 4A-4 Regional Tournament in Crossett. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m., with the winner of the game clinching a spot in the 4A State Tournament.
