WESTSIDE -- The Gravette Lady Lions put up a gallant fight in their first-round appearance in the 4A Region 1 district tournament Thursday afternoon as they faced the Pea Ridge Lady Blackhawks on the road. It came down to three runs that sealed the Lady Lions' fate.
In the bottom of the first inning, Pea Ridge picked up a run to take the early lead. The Lady Blackhawks brought a run across home plate in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings to extend their lead to three.
Gravette had one final chance to tie the game and possibly take the lead in the top of the seventh but was unable to bring anything home as Pea Ridge knocked off Gravette, 3-0, to advance to the regional tournament and end Gravette's 2021 softball season.
Lizzy Ellis led the Lady Lions in hits with two, followed by Taylor Neustel, Kelsey Pembleton and Kaidence Sandoval, each with one.
In all Gravette had 27 at-bats, with five hits and nine strikeouts.
Brooke Handle was on the mound for the Lady Lions, completing six innings and delivering 62 pitches. She allowed three runs on six hits and three earned runs while walking only one.
Aiden Dayberry was on the mound for Pea Ridge, lasting seven innings and throwing 90 pitches. Dayberry only allowed five hits while walking five.
The Gravette Lady Lions finish the 2021 softball season 8-11, and 0-1 in tournament play.