Lady ’Hawks edge Gentry in extra innings

GENTRY — The Lady Blackhawks outlasted the Lady Pioneers in a thrilling 7-6 victory on April 16 in Gentry. The game remained a nail-biter until the final inning, with both teams showcasing resilience throughout.

Gentry struck first in the bottom of the first inning, plating two runs, thanks to a single by Evey Tomlinson. Pea Ridge responded quickly, with solo home runs from Emory Bowlin and Zaylee Warden in the second and third innings, respectively. The Lady Hawks added two more runs in the top of the third on an error.

Gentry clawed its way back in the fourth inning, tying the game at 4-4 with a double by Alexis Lopez and another costly error by Pea Ridge. The scoring continued in the top of the eighth, with Pea Ridge regaining the lead on RBIs by Makenzie Whalen and Abigail Rogers. However, Gentry refused to go down without a fight. Olivia Nations launched a solo home run to tie the game once again in the bottom of the eighth.

Pea Ridge finally secured the win in the top of the ninth inning. With a runner on third, Warden delivered a sacrifice fly to score the go-ahead run. Defensively, the Lady Hawks held on for the narrow victory despite Gentry’s seven hits.

Both starting pitchers displayed grit, with Callie Jordan of Gentry allowing five runs (three earned) over eight and a third innings and Pea Ridge’s Emory Bowlin conceding five runs (four earned) over nine innings. She struck out 12.

Cindy Barger and Tomlinson paced the Gentry offense with two hits apiece, while Nations and Tomlinson contributed RBIs. Warden led Pea Ridge with two RBIs, while Whalen paced the team with three hits.

Randy Moll/Staff photographs Pitcher Emory Bowlin, No. 16, and catcher, Callie Cooper, No. 25, consult with assistant coach Elzie Yoder, Tuesday. The Pea Ridge Lady Blackhawks defeated the Gentry Lady Pioneers Tuesday, April 16, in Gentry.

Freshman Lexi Vigil, No. 2, had two RBI and one run scored.

Bowlin pitched the complete game allowing three walks, five hits, striking out 12 in nine innings.

Sophomore Zaylee Warden, No. 20, hit a home run, sac fly, two RBI and scored one run scored.

Junior Ashlynn Short, No. 9, had one walk and two runs scored.