Lady Pioneers split day one of Pioneer Classic

March 25, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

JONESBORO, Ark. – With a wet outfield moving this weekend's Pioneer Classic a few miles south to Jonesboro's Southside Softball Complex, Crowley's Ridge College snapped their losing skid with a 7-2 victory over Ecclesia (Ark.) College. After a break, the Lady 'Neers returned to drop their second game of the day to Southwestern Christian (Okla.) University 6-5.

Game One

Ecclesia - 2

Crowley's Ridge – 7

Desperate for a win, Crowley's Ridge (5-14, 0-0 CAC) opened up the scoring early, plating three runs in the home half of the first inning. Dru Bryant reached on a fielder's choice, then sped around the diamond to third base on a single from April Kennedy. With Kennedy swiping second, an attempt to pick off Bryant sailed into the outfield to allow the junio to score. Rachel Russell answered with an RBI single up the middle to score Kennedy. Rounding off the scoring for the Lady 'Neers, Russell scored thanks to Maddie Reed's single to right field, but Kourtni Jagneaux was mowed down trying to advance to third base.

Adding to their total in the bottom of the third inning over the Ecclesia Royals (3-14), Reed batted in Russell on a sacrifice fly after Russell led off the inning with a single down the line in right field. Lacey Lambright-Southern continued to see the ball well, driving in both Layne Tedder after Tedder's single and Heather Conaway (courtesy running for Jagneaux who reach after a single).

The Pioneer bats were quiet for the most part until the bottom of the sixth inning when Tedder (1) launched her first career at the senior college level.

In the circle, Shelby Elrod (3-7) was stellar, striking out four while allowing just two hits. The Royals managed to take advantage of CRC fielding miscues by scoring two unearned runs in the top of the seventh.

The Lady Pioneers were zeroed in on the ball, combining for 14 hits with Elrod, Kennedy, Reed, Russell, and Tedder each collecting two hits.

Game Two

Southwestern Christian – 6

Crowley's Ridge – 5

The Lady Pioneers (5-15) had the tying run sixty feet away with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, but a pickoff play from the Southwestern Christian (11-11) Eagles struck the runner down before recording the final out in a 6-5 final. 

The Lady 'Neers were off to a stellar start, scoring four runs in the opening frame. Shelby Elrod continued her streak of leadoff hits, eventually stealing third base after Dru Bryant's base on balls. April Kennedy would drive in Elrod before scoring herself, along with Bryant when a late throw to try to retire Layne Tedder was errant. A double-steal from McKenzie Crofford (running for Kourtni Jagneaux after being hit by the pitch) and Tedder would see the latter touch home plate.

The Eagles answered with a four-run third inning to shock the Lady Pioneers. The girls in green were unable to make good contact until the bottom of the seventh inning. Meanwhile, the Eagles plated runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

Brooklyn Melson's pinch-hit single led to April Kennedy's single plating the freshman. After the pickoff at third base, Rachel Russell grounded out to end the contest.

Maddie Reed (0-3) was charged with the loss, tossing two innings in relief.

Elrod led the hitting for the Lady 'Neers with three, followed by Kennedy and Tedder adding a pair of hits each.

Up Next

The Lady Pioneers will compete in day two of the Pioneer Classic at Southside Softball Complex tomorrow beginning at 10:00 a.m. aginst Southwestern Christian. CRC will hit the field for the final time of the weekend with Ecclesia at approximately 1:00 p.m.