The Lamar Lady Warrior softball team fell to Smackover 4-2 in the opening round of the 3A State Tournament on Thursday, May 14.
The Lady Warriors finish the season with a 25-4 record.
“Unfortunately our season came to an end in the first round of the state tournament,” Coach Haley Lyle said. “It just wasn’t our day, and we made a few mistakes. It was heartbreaking for our team, but we still had an extremely great season.”
Smackover opened the scoring in the first inning after a Lamar error scored one run. The Lady Bucks scored another run in the top of the sixth on a solo home run, but Lamar tied the game in the bottom of the inning.
Newt Melton singled, and Mylee Parker bunted, then reached second on an error by the Smackover pitcher. The error allowed Melton to score. Parker later scored after a fly out by Nevaeh Danver.
In the top of the eighth inning, Smackover went back into the lead by scoring two more runs, and the Lady Warriors were unable to score the needed runs in the bottom half of the inning, giving the Lady Bucks the win.
Senior pitcher Mylee Parker struck out 13 batters and allowed five hits and four runs over eight innings while walking none.
Newt Melton and Parker were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected one hit in four at-bats and scored one run. Danver finished with one RBI.
“This group grew so much as a team this year,” Lyle said. “I am extremely proud of their hard work, effort, and success. This team made coaching fun. They brought energy, laughter, and personality to the field every day.
“We will really miss our two seniors, Mylee Parker and Addie Hardin, and are thankful for their leadership this season. The culture these players helped to create is something our program can continue building on.”
Read this story and others in the May 20 issue of The Graphic, available online and at businesses throughout Franklin and Johnson counties. Subscribe or donate here to support more hometown journalism.
Lamar shortshop Nevaeh Danver (right) hugs teammate Addie Hardin following the Lady Warriors’ loss in the first round of the 3A State Tournament on Thursday, May 14.
–Photo courtesy Jenny Hilton
