The cold, rainy weather may not have seen like softball weather, but the Paris Lady Eagles played like they were in mid-season form on Friday night when they hosted the Dardanelle Lady Lizards in the season opener for Paris. Rain earlier in the day did not prevent the game from being played after a lot of work on the infield by the Paris coaching staff and community volunteers. The field remained covered right up until the two teams took infield practice before the 5 p.m. start.
Paris senior Jadyn Hart was virtually unhittable in her 2021 debut. In seven complete innings, Hart struck out 17 hitters. And if this was not enough, the Paris star hit a two run homer early in the game to break a 0-0 deadlock in what was ultimately a great pitching battle between the two schools. The win was huge over the Class 4A Lady Sand Lizards for the young and talented Lady Eagles.
After the game, Paris coach Donald Hart said, “It was good to get the season started. Was proud of how we came out in the opener and played through the elements. Dardanelle had a quality pitcher, but we were able to put enough on the board to get by. Lots of potential in this young team. Looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Coach Hart’s comments sum up the feelings of softball players, coaches, and fans across the state. Everyone is glad to get started, and everyone will be happy to see the complete season played, unlike the COVID-shortened season of a year ago.
Paris will return to the field again on Monday when they host the Magazine Lady Rattlers. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m., and the weather forecast is much more favorable than last Friday’s. It should be a beautiful afternoon for a game, and the Lady Eagles will try to win their second game of the early season.
The baseball Eagles will also play at home on Monday against Magazine in their season opener. So come out and watch some great baseball and softball on Monday, and enjoy the nice weather!
Additional photos of the Lady Eagles softball game with Dardanelle are available on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports. Fans from both schools are welcomed to view or copy the photos at no charge.
Resident Press will bring you coverage of the Eagles baseball game versus Magazine on Tuesday afternoon in the online edition of Resident Press.
See you at the ballpark!
