Lady Pioneers come from behind for big win

GRAVETTE — The Gentry Lady Pioneers overtook the Lady Lions in the fifth inning to take the win by three in the big Gravette-Gentry softball showdown at Lion Softball Field in Gravette on Friday night.

The Lady Lions grabbed a three-run lead, two in the bottom of the first and one in the bottom of the second inning. Gentry came back in the top of the third with three runs, including a home run by Kyleigh Wheaton to tie the game at three-all, but the Lady Lions scored three more in the bottom of the inning for a 6-3 lead.

The Lady Pioneers scored two in the fourth and tied things up in the top of fifth with a solo home run by lead-off batter Wheaton. Liberty Brannon singled on a bunt to the pitcher, bringing in Faviola Lopez-Najar. Randi-Jo Bolinger singled to drive in Madi Voyles, and Brannon scored on a Mazzi Jones double to put the Lady Pioneers up, 9-3.

The Gentry girls added their tenth run in the top of the sixth on a Wheaton double and a Lopez-Najar sacrifice.

Gravette picked up a solo run in the bottom of the sixth but it was not enough to regain the lead. The Gentry Lady Pioneers took the conference win, 10-7, over the Gravette Lady Lions

Wheaton led the Lady Pioneers with her bat, with two home runs and a double in the game. She batted in three runs. Madi Voyles also hit a home run and a double.

Wheaton completed seven innings in the circle, delivering 140 pitches, allowing seven runs on seven hits (three earned runs) while walking three and striking out nine.

Brooke Handle was back in the circle for the seven-inning contest. She threw 116 pitches and allowed 10 runs on 12 hits (five earned) with seven strikeouts.

Leading the scoring for Gravette was Byrann Romine with three runs, followed by Keely Elsea, Taylor Neustel, Handle and Kaidence Sandoval with one each.