GRAVETTE -- The Lady Pioneers scored solo runs in the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, but that wasn't enough to beat the Devil Dogs of Morrilton in Gentry's opening game of the regional tournament in Gravette on Friday afternoon. The game had been scheduled for Thursday but was rescheduled to Friday due to rain.
Morrilton scored a run in the first inning and then added three runs each in the third and fourth innings to lead 7-3, but Gentry chipped away at the lead to close the gap to 7-5 by the end of six and a half innings.
Hailie Kreger tripled in the second inning and scored on a ground ball hit by Faviola Lopez-Najar. In the third, Presley Ward doubled to left field and was brought home by a sacrifice fly to center field by Audrie Littlejohn. Alexis Lopez scored in the fourth inning on a Lopez-Najar grounder to second. In the fifth, Ward walked and was brought across the plate by a Madi Voyles single to left. And, in the sixth, Kreger hit a double to center field and made it home on an Emmi Haag ground ball single to center.
Gentry's five runs came on five hits and three Morrilton errors in the game. Morrilton's seven runs came on 10 hits and seven Gentry errors.
Kreger was in the circle for Gentry, allowing 10 hits and seven runs over six innings. She also led the Lady Pioneers with two hits. She walked once.
The loss ended Gentry's 2023 season.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Lady Pioneer Iris Still gets ready to bunt during play against the Morrilton Devil Dogs on Friday in Gravette.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Hailie Kreger was in the circle for Gentry in regional tournament play Friday in Gravette.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Hailie Kreger was in the circle for Gentry in regional tournament play Friday in Gravette.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gentry catcher Audrie Littlejohn puts the tag on a Morrilton runner attempting to score during play on Friday in Gravette.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Lady Pioneer Audrie Littlejohn connects with a pitch during regional tournament play against Morrilton on Friday in Gravette.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gentry's Iris Still puts down a bunt during play against Morrilton in Gravette on Friday.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gentry's Evey Tomlinson takes a swing at a pitch in regional tournament play Friday in Gravette.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Gentry shortstop Presley Ward puts the tag on a Morrilton baserunner attemtoing to steal second during play Friday in Gravette.