Lady Rebels punch ticket for return trip to state finals

By COSMO COSSEY

Sports Connection Team

PALESTINE – Klaire Womack put on a dominant show Saturday in leading Riverside (27-1), the 2A North Regional champions, to a 5-0 win over Woodlawn (21-10), the two seed from the 2A South Regional. The victory sends the Lady Rebels back to the Class 2A state softball championship game. The Lady Rebels will again face Mansfield at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 18 at Farris Field in Conway on the University of Central Arkansas campus. Riverside defeated the Lady Tigers 1-0 to win their first state title last season.

Riverside softball pitcher Klaire Womack pitched all of the three state games. (Photo By Revis Blaylock)

Woodlawn got a runner on with a two-out walk in the top of the first inning before Klaire Womack got a strikeout to leave the runner on base. The Lady Rebels went three up and three down in the bottom of the inning as Annalee Qualls struck out, Kaylee Cox grounded out and Brooklyn Berry grounded out.

The Lady Bears got another runner on in the top the second inning only to leave the runner stranded. Katie Ridge struck out leading off the top of the inning before Klaire Womack hit a solo home run to put the Lady Rebels up 1-0. Ryley Eakins grounded out and Carly Jo Womack walked before being left on base when Blakely Biggers struck out.

The Lady Bears got back to back two-out walks in the top of third inning only to see Klaire Womack get a strikeout to leave the runners stranded. Riverside went down in order in the bottom half as Bennett Durham struck out, Qualls grounded out and Cox looked at strike three. Woodlawn got a runner on with a one-out walk in the top of the fourth inning only to leave the runner stranded when Klaire Womack got a strikeout and a pop out.

Riverside catcher Brooklyn Berry. (Photo By Revis Blaylock)

Berry and Ridge both grounded out for two quick outs in the bottom of the inning before Klaire Womack drew a walk. Eakins then laced a ball to right field for an inside-the-park home run to push the Lady Rebels' lead to 3-0. Carly Jo Womack singled and Biggers was hit by a pitch before Durham grounded out to end the inning.

Woodlawn got their lead-off batter on via walk in the top of the fifth only to see Berry throw the runner out trying to steal second base. The Lady Bears got a two-out single before Klaire Womack struck out the next batter to end the Woodlawn threat.

Qualls singled leading off the bottom of the inning before stealing second base. Cox lined out and Berry grounded out before Ridge smashed a two-run home-run to make the score 5-0 Lady Rebels. Klaire Womack looked a strike three to end the inning.

The Lady Bears got a runner on with one out after she was hit by a pitch. Klaire Womack then got back to back fly outs to leave the runner stranded. Eakins singled leading off the bottom half before being thrown out trying to steal second base. Carly Jo Womack grounded out, Biggers drew a walk before Durham grounded out to end the inning.

Klaire Womack retired the Lady Bears in order in the top of the seventh inning to give Riverside the 5-0 win.

“We were really excited to get the win today. Woodlawn is a good team with a great pitcher and I thought we played really well,” Riverside head coach T.J. Eakins said. “Klaire Womack pitched outstanding, and her home run in her first at bat was huge. Ryley Eakins’ hit gave us a cushion, and Ridge’s blast sealed the deal. Our defense was solid as usual. Couldn’t be prouder of this group. They are gamers,” Eakins added.

Eakins had two hits, a run scored and two RBI while Ridge added a hit, run scored and had two RBI. Klaire Womack had a hit, two runs scored and a RBI while Qualls finished with a run scored and a stolen base. Klaire Womack got the win with a complete game performance allowing no runs on one hit with seven walks, 10 strikeouts and a hit batter.

The Lady Rebels opened the tournament Thursday with a 10-0 five inning win over Bigelow as Ridge had a hit, a run scored and had three RBI while Cox added three hits, two runs scored and two RBI. Klaire Womack had a hit, a run scored and a RBI and Carly Jo Womack collected a hit and two RBI. Klaire Womack gave up one hit with four walks and 11 strikeouts.

Riverside came back the next day and beat Horatio 7-3 in the quarter-finals as Cox and Carly Jo Womack each had two hits, a run scored and two RBI. Durham added two hits, a run scored and an RBI and Ridge finished with a hit and a RBI. Klaire Womack got the win going all seven innings allowing three runs on five hits, with four walks, 14 strikeouts and a hit batter.