Stars split double-dip against NorthArkansas

SouthArk’s softball team was three outs away from back-to-back doubleheader sweeps on Saturday. NorthArkansas scored eight runs in the top of the seventh and held on for a 14-12 victory in the second game at El Dorado/ Union County Recreation Complex.

The Stars won the opener 17-13 for their third win in a row after opening the season with 14 losses.

SouthArk (3-15) carried a 9-6 lead into the seventh in the second game but couldn’t hold onto it.

“Should’ve had it,” said Coach Beth Barcroft. “Some things didn’t go our way in the last game, which happens. My girls, in my book, got two wins (Saturday).”

In the opener, SouthArk scored 17 runs on 18 hits and took advantage of seven errors by the Pioneers. The Stars led 7-0 before NorthArk scored 11 in the third. SouthArk responded with eight in the bottom of the third and never trailed again.

Dusti Abshire went 4-for6. Avery Hayes was 3-for-5 with four runs scored and two RBI. Gracie Stokes was 3-for-4 with a triple and a double. Tiara Jefferson was 2-for-4 with two RBI.

The Stars’ third inning was highlighted by a tworun triple by Faith Watkins and a two-run double by Jade Snider.

The Pioneers had 21 hits in the game. Jillian Tissue was the winning pitcher in relief for the Stars.

In the second game, the Pioneers sent 12 batters to the plate in the top of the seventh on five hits, an error, a walk and a hit batter.

SouthArk scored three in the bottom of the inning. Kallie Minter had a RBI single with McKenna Denofrio driving in a run with a triple and Hayes an RBI double.

The Stars had 19 hits in the game, led by Hayes, who was 4-for-5 with four doubles and three RBI. Denofrio was 3-for5 with a homer, triple and three RBI. Abshire, Jefferson, Watkins, Tissue and Minter had two hits apiece.

Watkins pitched seven innings for SouthArk, allowing eight earned runs with three walks and a strikeout.