Kaitlyn Jackson’s walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning lifted Westside to a 7-6 victory over Manila in the Lady Lions’ season opener Tuesday afternoon at Warrior Field in Jonesboro.
Each team scored two runs apiece in the first inning before the Lady Warriors went ahead 4-2 with a pair of runs in the second frame. Manila evened things up, scoring single runs in the third and fourth innings. Westside went back on top, 6-4, with a two-spot in the bottom of the sixth, but the Lady Lions answered, scoring twice in the top of the frame to tie the game 6-6. The Lady Warriors got a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the seventh, setting the stage for Jackson’s game winning heroics.
Jackson finished the day with a single, a triple and four runs batted in. Lauren Smith had a two-run double for Westside while Jillian Keedy singled twice. Gracye Cureton picked up the win on the mound for the Lady Warriors.
Ashten Wallace led the Lady Lions at the plate, singling three times while driving in two runs. Jill Helton singled, doubled and scored a run while Ashlyn Jolly singled, doubled and drove in a run. Ali Smith ripped an RBI triple and scored once, Madison Bibbs laced an RBI single and crossed the plate two times while Micah Lancaster singled and scored a run. Beth Rowson had a single while Sasha Pannells scored a run.
Riverside spoiled Manila’s home opener Thursday, blanking the Lady Lions 11-0. Lady Colt Bailee Henard fired a one-hitter while striking out nine Lady Lions to pick up the win. Henard also cranked out a three-run homer and added a single. Railee Powell singled, doubled and drove in a run while Melanie Shannon had two singles and an RBI.
Wallace took the loss for Manila, working five innings while giving up 11 runs, only three of which were earned. Wallace surrendered nine hits, struck out five and walked one batter. Wallace had Manila’s only hit on the day while Pannells picked up a stolen base.
The Lady Lions travel to Paragould Monday afternoon before hosting Brookland Tuesday. Manila will entertain Riverside Thursday before participating in the Bearcat Blast Friday and Saturday.