By Dennen Cuthbertson
STUTTGART, Ark. (3/3/26) – The Warren Lumberjacks baseball team suffered a couple of early defensive lapses and missed some key offensive opportunities in a 3-0 season-opening setback against Stuttgart at the Ricebird Athletic Complex.
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Stuttgart improved to 2-0 on the young season, while Warren is 0-1 after not getting to play Monday in the regular-scheduled season opener due to a cancellation by Dumas. The Jacks were only outhit by a count of 5-4 and walked seven times, but couldn’t get a big hit when they needed it.
Warren had two runners reach on walks in the top of the first, but couldn’t score. The Ricebirds put runners on the corners with one out in the bottom of the opening frame and scored when a popup fell in the infield because neither middle infielder took charge. Warren did record an out at second base on the play, but allowed the runner from third to score. Starting pitcher Ren Reep appeared to get out of the inning a couple of batters later, but a dropped third strike and missed tag prolonged the inning. Stuttgart took advantage with an infield single to move in front 2-0.
The Orange and Black loaded the bases with two outs after three walks in the second frame, but a groundout ended the threat. Warren picked up its first two hits of the game in the third when Parker O’Neal and Ryan Spears registered back-to-back singles with two outs. The hits came after a baserunning miscue and strikeout ended the scoring opportunity.
Stuttgart added a run in the bottom of the third on a dropped third strike despite Warren recording the out at first base. Neither team threatened much until the Ricebirds registered a couple of hits in the bottom of the sixth, but a soft lineout to shortstop kept the score 3-0. Tucker McDiarmid gave the Lumberjacks a lead-off baserunner in the top of the seventh after being hit by a pitch. The home team recorded the next two outs, but Jude Cathey gave the Orange and Black some hope with a two-out single. However, a groundout ended the threat and sealed the 3-0 win for the Ricebirds.
Reep tossed the first three innings and allowed three runs on three hits with six strikeouts. Spears finished the game with three scoreless innings on the bump with two hits allowed and six punchouts. O’Neal led the offense with two hits, while Spears and Cathey had one apiece. McDiarmid and Cathey both reached base three times during the game.
The Jacks are scheduled to travel to Haskell, Ark., to square off against the Harmony Grove Cardinals on Friday, March 6. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.
