Pitcher Marcie Bewley tossed seven effective innings, but it was the defense behind her that allowed Jonesboro to hold on for a 2-1 victory in the first round of the Class 6A state softball tournament.
"I have to say, that's the first game this year that our defense won for us," Poole said. "We usually swing the bats pretty good, but they were down. We just didn't hit the ball well, but we made some great defensive plays, and I couldn't be any happier because of it."
Jonesboro (17-12) saved itself at least two runs by throwing El Dorado base runners out at home plate in the fourth and fifth innings, the second of which ended the Lady 'Cats' last legitimate scoring threat.
The Lady Hurricane had five hits, with Caroline Proffer registering two of those, but Bewley managed to keep El Dorado (20-8) off balance for much of the game. The junior scattered 5 hits over 7 innings while striking out 5 and walking 1. El Dorado pitcher Rebecca Voss also pitched solidly, giving up 5 hits and striking out 6 in 7 innings, but the Lady 'Cats' didn't get the offensive production they needed to move on.
Jonesboro loaded the bases in each of the first two innings but came away with just two runs, which turned out to be just enough. El Dorado squandered a scoring opportunity in the fourth when it had runners on second and third with one out. The Lady 'Cats' Tristen Lewis ripped a single into short right field, but Kelsey Howard was thrown out at home. Bewley then struck out the ensuing batter to end the inning.
Henley Perry's home run in the bottom of the sixth cut El Dorado's deficit to 2-1, but Bewley managed to retire the next three batters in order, then got three consecutive outs in the bottom of the seventh to send the Lady Hurricane into today's second round, where they will take on defending state champion Greenwood at 10 a.m.
"When Bewley's got some movement on the ball like she had [Thursday], she's pretty tough," Poole said. "She did a heck of a job for us because we didn't do a whole lot offensively. But hey, a win is a win."
MOUNTAIN HOME 12, TEXARKANA 2 (5)
Peyton Gunn had three hits to help Mountain Home (17-13) beat Texarkana.
The Lady Bombers, who scored 10 runs over the fourth and fifth innings, advance to take on Sheridan today at 12:30 p.m.
Anna Claire Timmons had two hits for Texarkana (7-20).
Lake Hamilton 4,
Siloam Springs 1
Charlye Rowland allowed two hits and struck out five to pace Lake Hamilton (13-12), which will play Marion at 3 p.m. today in the second round.
Annalee Diehl had two hits for the Lady Wolves. Ally Bunch and Crissa Spry each had a hit for Siloam Springs (16-11).
Pine Bluff 6, Alma 5
Sierra Johnson's home run in the top of the seventh inning catapulted Pine Bluff (8-10) to an upset over Alma.
Ameri Washington also added an RBI single in the seventh for the Fillies, who scored six of the game's final nine runs.
Zoie Lunsford, Madi Tobler and Jordyn Collier had two hits apiece for Alma (17-16).
Sports on 05/13/2016