Jackrabbits beat Pirates in 8 innings; advance to regional title game

Lonoke's Casey Martin scores a run against Little Rock Central last week. Martin scored two of Lonoke's three runs against Gosnell in the regional semifinals Saturday. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

POCAHONTAS — It took some extra work but the Lonoke Jackrabbits will play for a regional championship Monday.

Lonoke (16-3) scored a run in the bottom of the eighth as the Jackrabbits beat the Gosnell Pirates 3-2 in the semifinals of the Class 4A East Region tournament Saturday. 

With one out in the bottom of the eighth, Lonoke's Nick Graves was hit by a pitch. He went to second on a single by Christian James. Todd Pool then reached on a fielder's choice. James was retired at second base but Graves came around to score the game-winning run.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third. Casey Martin singled and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Haven Hunter. Martin advanced to third on a balk and scored on a double by Graves.

Gosnell scored an unearned run in the top of the fifth to tie the game at 1-1.

Lonoke wasted no time in getting that run back as Casey Martin led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo homer. 

The Pirates tied the score at 2-2 with another unearned run in the top of the seventh.

Lonoke had numerous chances to score early in the game. The Jackrabbits left four runners in scoring position in the first three innings. 

The Jackrabbits also kept Gosnell in the game as they committed six errors. Both Gosnell runs were unearned.

Lonoke had eight hits in the win. Graves and Casey Martin had two hits each. Also getting hits were Hunter, Cody Martin, James and Pool.

Savonte Rountree pitched well despite getting a no-decision. He gave up four hits and one run in six innings of work. He struck out three. James got the win, pitching the seventh and eighth innings. He gave up an unearned run and three hits while striking out two.

Lonoke will play the Brookland Bearcats for the regional championship Monday at 2:30 p.m. Lonoke will also play in the Class 4A state tournament Friday at Blytheville. The Jackrabbits will receive a first-round bye no matter what happens Monday. 

Jackrabbits rout Trumann, qualify for state tourney

The Lonoke Jackrabbits are headed to the Class 4A state tournament after beating Trumann 10-0 in the first round of the regional tournament Friday at Pocahontas. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

POCAHONTAS — There was no letdown for the Lonoke Jackrabbits baseball team this season.

Lonoke routed Trumann 10-0 in the first round of the Class 4A East Region tournament Friday. The Jackrabbits were the top seed from the 4A-2 conference after winning the district tournament last week. The last two years, Lonoke was in the same position but got upset in the first round of the regional after playing in the Class 4A state championship game in 2012. Lonoke will play in the Class 4A state tournament next week in Blytheville, hosted by Gosnell HIgh School. 

The Jackrabbits (14-3) will play Gosnell in the semifinals Saturday at noon. 

In the win over Trumann on Friday, Lonoke pitcher Cody Martin allowed only one hit in five innings of work. He stuck out four in the victory.

Lonoke scored its first run in the bottom of the first. Casey Martin singled and stole second base. He eventually scored.

The Jackrabbits plated four runs in the third. Casey Martin, Haven Hunter, Cody Martin and Nick Graves all scored.

Lonoke put the game away when Christian James hit a grand slam in the fourth inning. Scoring on the play were Cody Martin, Graves, and Levi Ward, who was running for Elijah Seigrist. 

Lonoke's final run came in the bottom of the fifth. Savonte Rountree singled and eventually got to third base. He scored on a balk by the Trumann pitcher. 

The Jackrabbits had eight hits in the victory. Casey Martin and Conner Linton had two hits each. Also collecting hits were Hunter, James, Todd Pool, and Rountree.

James had five RBIs in the victory. 

Lady Rabbits break 11-year drought, qualify for state tourney

Lonoke's Gracie Cole heads toward first base during the 4A-2 District Tournament last week. Cole scored one of Lonoke's three runs in the Lady Jackrabbits' win over Pocahontas on Friday. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

POCAHONTAS — The Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits are going back to the state tournament for the first time in 11 seasons.

The Lady Jackrabbits beat host Pocahontas 3-0 in the first round of the Class 4A East Region tournament Friday. With the win, Lonoke qualifies for the state tournament, which starts next Thursday at Mena. Lonoke's last appearance came in 2004 under former coach Daryl Fimple. 

The Lady Jackrabbits will play Heber Springs in the semifinals on Saturday at noon. Heber Springs beat Lonoke 7-5 in the only matchup between the two teams March 17.

In the win over Pocahontas, Lonoke pitcher Charley Jo Chesney allowed only three hits and no walks in seven innings of work. She struck out six Lady Redskin batters.

Lonoke (13-5) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Jasalyn Truelove hit an inside-the-park home run. 

Lonoke added to its lead in the top of the third. Gracie Cole walked and scored on a double by Chesney. Lonoke's final run came in the seventh. Amanda Sexton walked and scored on a single by Candace James. 

Lonoke had six hits in the victory. Truelove had three. Chesney, Jarrelyn McCall and James had one hit each. 

Lady Rabbits qualify for regional by beating Riverview

Lonoke pitcher Charley Jo Chesney fires one against Southside Batesville. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

SEARCY — The Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits softball team qualified for the Class 4A East Region tournament with a 10-0 win over Riverview in the quarterfinals of the 4A-2 District Tournament on Friday night.

The Lady Jackrabbits then dropped an 11-1 decision to Southside Batesville in the semifinals Saturday.

In the win over Riverview, Lonoke scored twice in the bottom of the first. Jasalyn Truelove tripled and scored on a single by Jarrelyn McCall, who also scored in the inning. 

The Lady Jackrabbits scored two more run sin the second. Candace James led off walk. Her courtesy runner, Madison McFadden, scored on a triple by Gracie Cole, who also scored in the inning. 

After a scoreless third, Lonoke plated four runs int he fourth. James led off with a single. McFadden, running for James, scored again. Valerie Staton, Truelove and McCall each scored.

Lonoke ended the game with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Cole singled and scored on a double by Staton.

Lonoke had 13 hits. Truelove led the way with three. Collecting two hits each were Charley Jo Chesney, McCall and Cole. 

James and Staton each had a hit. 

Chesney allowed only two hits. She struck out four in the win.

In the loss to Southside, Lonoke scored first. Chesney led off with a double. Lindsey McFadden, running for Chesney, went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Truelove and scored on a ground out by McCall

Southside took a 2-1 lead with two runs in the bottom of the frame. The Lady Southerners scored once in the third, and four times in both the fifth and sixth innings to get the win. 

Lonoke had five hits. Amanda Sexton had two. Chesney, Maddie Pool and Staton had one hit each. 

Lonoke will play in the first round of the regional tournament at 12:30 p.m. on Friday at Pocahontas. 

Lonoke shortstop Jasalyn Truelove reaches for a throw during Saturday's game. 

Jackrabbits win district tourney title, beat CAC and Newport

The Lonoke Jackrabbits are the 2015 4A-2 District Tournament champions. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

SEARCY — For the third consecutive season, the Lonoke Jackrabbits are the 4A-2 baseball district tournament champions.

Lonoke rallied from a late three-run deficit against Central Arkansas Christian in the semifinals then routed Newport in the championship game to win the tournament. Lonoke will be the top seed in the Class 4A East Region tournament, which starts Friday at Pocahontas. 

In the first game, CAC led 7-4 after the top of the sixth inning. Savonte Rountree led off with a double and went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Elijah Seigrist. He scored on a ground out by Casey Martin. 

Lonoke held the Mustangs scoreless in the top of the seventh, setting up some heroics in the bottom of the frame. 

Cody Martin reached on an error to start the inning. Nick Graves was hit by a pitch. Christian James followed with a double to tie the game at 7-7.

Pinch hitter Kade Stuart followed with a double to drive in James with the game-winning run

Kade Stuart knocks in the winning run against CAC.

Christian James celebrates after driving in the tying runs against CAC. 

In the second game, Lonoke fell behind 4-1 to Newport but rallied for a 14-4 win in five innings. Lonoke relief pitcher Keith Lingo did not allow a run in the final three innings. 

"With that game with CAC, we knew it was going to be a dogfight," Lonoke coach Darrick Lowery said. "They played a heck of game last night against Heber Springs, winning in 10 innings. They are playing extremely well late in the year."

Lowery said his team made a lot of mistakes against CAC.

"We found a way to win and that's big," he said. 

Newport was playing its fourth game in three days and the Greyhounds were struggling with pitching. 

"They had it tough having to play so many games in three days," Lowery said. "We did a good job of staying patient at the plate, taking walks and doing what we needed to do to pull away."

Lowery said Lingo was injured in the first practice of the season, tearing a ligament away from his hip.

"We throw him in in a big spot and he throws three scoreless innings," Lowery said of Lingo. "I'm proud for him. I can't say enough about our kids playing good defense behind him. He did his job, coming in and throwing strikes."

Lonoke will play Trumann in the first round of the regional tournament at 10 a.m. Friday. The Jackrabbits have been the top seed the last two seasons and gotten beat, denying them a trip to the Class 4A state tournament. 

"I feel good about our chances," Lowery said. "If we make a lot of mistakes like we did today, it will be tough. The other side of the regional is pretty tough."

Keith Lingo pitches against Newport in the championship game. Lingo pitched three scoreless innings to get the win. 

Jackrabbits rout Falcons in regular-season finale; play in district tourney Saturday

Lonoke shortstop Christian James throws to first baseman Todd Pool to get out a North Pulaski hitter during Monday's game. (Photos by Mark Buffalo)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LONOKE — The Lonoke Jackrabbits improved to 12-2 on the season with an 11-1 win over North Pulaski in the regular-season finale at the Lonoke Ball Park on Monday.

The Jackrabbits will now play in the 4A-2 district tournament this week at Riverview High School in Searcy.

The Jackrabbits are the No. 2 seed, having already qualified for the Class 4A East Region tournament, which will be held next week at Pocahontas. Lonoke will play in the semifinals of the district tournament at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The finals will be held immediately following the semifinal contest.

In the win over the Falcons, Lonoke jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Levi Ward was hit by a pitch and Cody Martin walked. They both scored on a single by Christian James.

Lonoke played a single run in the second. Tevin Patillo reached on a fielder's choice and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

The Falcons scored their lone run of the game in the top of the third. The Jackrabbits responded with seven runs in the bottom of the frame to lead 10-1. 

Scoring for Lonoke in the third were Casey Martin, Haven Hunter, Cody Martin, Nick Graves, James, Todd Pool and Savonte Rountree.

The Jackrabbits ended the game in the bottom of the fifth with a single run. Rountree led off with a walk and scored on single by Casey Martin. 

Lonoke had seven hits in the win. Getting hits were Patillo, Casey Martin, Cody Martin, James, Pool, Rountree and Tyler Fuhrman. 

Pool got the win as he pitched three innings. He gave up one run — unearned — while striking out five. He gave up only one hit.

Hunter and James pitched one inning each in the victory.

Lonoke coach Darrick Lowery talks to Cody Martin at third base during the Jackrabbits' game with North Pulaski on Monday. 

Johnson to play college basketball at Three Rivers

Lonoke's Kerasha Johnson, surrounded by friends, family and teammates, signs her National Letter of Intent with Three Rivers Community College (Photo courtesy of Coach Nathan Morris)

By Mark Buffalo

Staff Writer

lonokecountysports@gmail.com

LONOKE — Lonoke Lady Jackrabbits point guard Kerasha Johnson is taking her game to the collegiate level. 

Johnson signed with Three Rivers Community College during a recent ceremony inside the foyer of the Gina Cox Center. 

Three Rivers is a two-year school located in Popular Bluff, Missouri. 

Johnson said she originally wanted to join the United States Navy.

"I chose this school because I think it's a great school," Johnson said of choosing Three Rivers. "This is a great way to meet new people and be able to play the sport I love."

A year ago, Johnson was not able to play AAU summer ball because of a knee injury. 

"This is a big accomplishment," Johnson said. "I've always wanted to play college ball even when I was little."

Johnson said she does not know what she wants to major in as of yet.