Lady Pioneers fall in season openers

— The Lady Pioneers struggled in non-conference practice games against Springdale and Rogers-Heritage High Schools on February 29 and 25, being shut out by Springdale, 6-0, and outscored by Rogers, 11-6.

Against Rogers, the Gentry girls’ softball team got off to a slow start, with Rogers scoring four runs in the bottom of the second, another three in the bottom of the third, one each in the fourth and fifth and two in the sixth.

The Gentry girls didn’t score until the sixth inning, but it was a big inning for the Lady Pioneers, with five of their six runs crossing the plate. With three runners placed on base, Brooke Boston singled to right, scoring one, and Taylor Hull hit a line-drive double to right, bringing in two. Boston scored on an Alyssa Kelton ground out to second, and Mandy Barber, pinch runner for Hull, later scored on an error.

Mekalah Ramsey scored Gentry’s final run in the top of the seventh. She was placed on third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Lynzey Sikes to center field.

Gentry had two hits in the game and six errors. Rogers had 12 hits and one error.

Alyssa Kelton and Mandy Barber pitched in the game. Kelton started and pitched five innings. She had one strike out and one walk.

In Springdale, the Lady Pioneers were held scoreless for six and a half innings, while Springdale pounded in three in their opening at bat and added solo runs in the third, fourth and sixth.

Gentry had four hits and five errors in the game. Springdale had six and one.

Alyssa Kelton pitched for Gentry and allowed no earned runs, six hits and one walk in the game. She struck out five Springdale batters. She also batted two for two, hitting singles in the fourth and sixth innings.

Gentry was scheduled to play again at Rogers on Thursday afternoon, at 5.