Semifinal games close on Day 2 of Arkansas 2A softball North Regional

By Kyle Sutherland  

CARLISLE — Three of the eight teams coming into the 2A North Regional, hosted by Carlisle, are ranked in the Top 4 of the SBLive Arkansas 2A Super 7 rankings — No. 1 McCrory, No. 3 East Poinsett County and No. 4 Rector — and all advanced convincingly Friday, defeating opponents by a combined score of 38-5 in shutout victories where the sportsmanship rule was enforced. 

It was a completely different scene Saturday afternoon as both games were low-scoring and each decided by one run. 

McCrory 4, Rector 3

Top-ranked McCrory and No. 4 Rector met for the second time this season with the Lady Jags taking the first one 13-2, and they were able to escape Saturday’s game that was much closer to advance to Monday’s regional championship game. 

“At this point in the season that is the way things are going to be from this point on,” McCrory head coach Ronnie Massanelli said. “This year there are about 10 legit teams in 2A that could go all the way. It is going to be a dog fight the rest of the way.”

It took almost three innings before this one really got rolling with any offensive action when McCrory took a 1-0 lead at the end of the third inning on a sacrifice from Chandler Reynolds that scored Natalie Creasey. Rector immediately responded after a fielder’s choice on a hit by Kaley Isom in the middle infield was thrown too high and that brought in Madison Wolfenbarger and Carly Robinson home to score for the 2-1 lead. Isom nearly had an inside-the-park home run, but she just missed the tag by a couple of inches. Once again, McCrory (24-2) punched back in the fifth inning scoring two runs in the frame for the 3-2 lead.

Rector (18-4) tied the game one more time at three in sixth before McCrory was able to take the lead for good at 4-3 following a double from Chandler Reynolds on a full count and two outs that scored Sophie Fisk. Having to battle back is not unfamiliar territory to the Lady Jags and Massanelli reminded his team of that.

“I told them that we have been here before now how we will react,” Massanelli said. “Are we just going to let things happen or are we going to step up and play ball? They reacted in a positive way and did what they had to do, regained the lead, and held on.”

Natalie Creasey boosted the Lady Jags for the second day in a row going 2-for-4 scoring two runs and playing shutdown defense at first base. Morgan Schaefer was also one of the top contributors for McCrory both hitting and pitching. She went two for four with an RBI and threw a complete game striking out five batters.

For Rector, catcher Madison Wolfenbarger had another solid day going 2-for-three scoring two of the Lady Cougs’ three runs.

McCrory faces No. 3 East Poinsett County at 2:30 in the 2A North Regional championship game which. Rector faces Riverside in the consolation game to decide third and fourth place Monday at noon.

“All four of these teams in our region that are going to state have a shot,” Massanelli added.

East Poinsett County 1, Riverside 0

East Poinsett County scored one run in the bottom of the first inning as Keegan McCrokle scored on an RBI-single from Jaycee Davis, who answered the call again after being one of the top stars from Friday. McCorkle had another great day in the circle throwing a complete-game shutout striking out seven batters and allowing just four hits against a Riverside team that can really make things happen at the plate.

EPC head coach Brandon Powell acknowledged that having a player like McCorkle who is reliable in a low scoring game, along with the talent around her, raises the confidence in his team that much more.

“It does, especially our girls making plays behind her,” Powell said. “In a one-run lead, other teams have to stress and work to hop back into it, so it is nice having her in the circle.”

Another Lady Warrior who has been one of the best in the regional so far is second baseman Kelly Ann Lucas. While she has been as reliable as you could ask at the plate, she had one of the top defensive plays we have seen in the tournament. In the second inning, Riverside’s Klaire Womack hit a fly ball that was caught by EPC right fielder Natalie Dunman and Dunman then threw a great ball to Lucas, who tagged the runner trying to advance to second, turning a double play to end the frame.

“Kelly has been solid all weekend,” Powell said. “She has been playing great defense and she’s been really patient having quality at bats. I think she has been on base more than anyone in our lineup this week.”

Lucas was perfect at the plate Friday and she along with Dunman went two for three on Saturday. Through two games, Lucas is five for six with three runs scored plus a stolen base.

East Poinsett County (29-2) has not played McCrory this season but will get that opportunity on Monday in the regional championship game. Riverside (14-9) will try to take down Rector in the noon consolation game, a conference foe the Lady Rebs are 0-3 against this season.

“That [McCrory game] is always a good one,” Powell said. “We used to be in the same conference and we like getting up for those games, so we’re excited about it.”