NASHVILLE, Ark. — The Warren Lady Jacks are headed to the softball state championship game for the first time in program history after defeating Brookland 6-2 Saturday afternoon in the semifinals of the 2026 4A State Tournament in Nashville.
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With the win, Warren advances to the state title game where the Lady Jacks will face the winner of Monticello and Malvern.
Warren wasted no time taking control, erupting for three runs in the top of the first inning. Charlee Wardlaw delivered a key RBI single during the opening frame, while Natalie Hargrave added a two-run double to give the Lady Jacks an early 3-0 advantage.
The Lady Jacks added three more runs in the fifth inning to create separation after Brookland had trimmed the deficit to 3-1. Warren finished with six runs on four hits while taking advantage of five walks and two Brookland errors.
Brooklyne McVay turned in another strong performance inside the circle for Warren, tossing a complete game to earn the victory. McVay allowed just two earned runs on six hits over seven innings while walking two and striking out one. She threw 84 pitches, including 52 strikes, and kept Brookland from ever building sustained momentum offensively.
Defensively, Warren played one of its cleanest games of the postseason, committing no errors in the field. The Lady Jacks also turned a double play during the contest.
Wardlaw led the Warren offense by going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Hargrave added a hit and two RBIs, while Rylee Milton scored twice and collected a hit. McVay helped herself offensively by drawing two walks and scoring a run.
Brookland managed six hits in the loss, led by Madilyn Conner, who finished 2-for-3 with a triple and a run scored. Aspen Heckethorn and Kennedy Brooks each drove in a run for the Lady Bearcats.
Brookland pitcher Brooke Pulliam struck out four over 4.2 innings, but Warren’s patience at the plate and timely hitting proved to be the difference.
The victory continues a historic postseason run for Warren, which now stands one win away from bringing home the program’s first-ever softball state championship.
