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What are Eastern Tent Caterpillars

By now you have likely seen the little caterpillar pests called Eastern Tent Caterpillars somewhere, it seems overnight these critters have taken over. While they will absolutely devour a tree, they have some rather fascinating characteristics about them. While you are wondering what to do with your new found infestation, let’s discuss some fun facts about them.

1. Yes, there are approximately 10 million everywhere now. This is because they are very social beings! The moth lays 150-250 eggs in one place, and all the siblings happily spend their days munching whatever they can find and building web nests. They remain as caterpillars for 6-8 weeks.

2. The web nests are what serve as a home base of sorts, tent caterpillars look for a tree that will be illuminated by the morning sun and get to work spinning their webs. The nests allow a place for them to rest and provides protections from predators.

3. These critters use pheromones to signal to their siblings where they are going to find food. These trail differ from other insects in a particularly interesting way- there are different pheromones. A caterpillar that is scouting will leave an exploratory pheromone trail to show they are looking for leaves. When a caterpillar finds a scrumptious meal the pheromone changes to let the others know to come join it using its recruitment pheromone.

4. The large clusters of these insects are how they keep warm. Early spring promises some cool mornings, and often they will group together in the sunshine in an effort to combat the low temperatures around them.

5. Horse owners beware! While normally harmless creatures, if a pregnant mare ingests one the setae hairs covering the bugs can wreak havoc on her digestive track and bring bacteria into the reproductive organs. In some cases this has triggered spontaneous late term abortions of foals.

6. Infestations are cyclical, every 9-16 years there will be a massive amount of hatchlings that will wreak havoc on their environment. While that proves problematic for the year it happens, it means that in the future the amount of caterpillars will decline for a while giving vegetation time to recover.

Colors Largemouth Bass See

The first studies into the eye composition of Largemouth bass took place in 1937. Frank A. Brown Jr. was a professor of biological sciences at Northwestern University who used food as a reward to study how largemouth would approach targets. The data consisted of red, yellow, green, black, blue, and other colors. The study showed bass can discern between green and red.

In 2021 we know more about the inner workings of a bass’ eyeball. Like humans, fish have photoreceptors in their eyes called rods and cones. The rod cells are important for fish to see in the low light and night conditions. Cones cells are the receptors for colors. Largemouth bass have dichromatic vision, which means they are sensitive to two colors- red and green. In contrast humans have trichromatic vision, making us sensitive to red, green, and blue.

This information is important to keep in mind while perusing the aisles upon aisles of lures. The variety of colors are much more pleasing to our eyes as humans than they are to a fish. Largemouth bass visual perception falls into four categories: bright, red, green, and dark.

Those who have been fishing a while have likely heard the rule of thumb throw light-colored baits for bright, clear water days; and dark lures for low light and cloudy water. When peering into your tackle box consider organizing your gear into these categories- bright(chartreuse and white), red, green, and dark (blue, black, and purple) and choosing your lure based on what the sky looks like.

As with most everything, practice is necessary. The best guide for fishing of any kind is the knowledge that can only be obtained from casting a line. Keeping in mind how largemouth bass, and researching how others see, is just one possible weapon to have in your corner.

Obituary – Jennifer Tamara Jerozal (1973 – 2021 )

Jennifer Tamara Jerozal of Waldron, Arkansas passed away on March 27, 2021 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Jennifer was born July 27, 1973 to Larry and Kathy Duncan in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Jennifer leaves behind to cherish her memory; her mother, Kathy Duncan, two daughters: Konnor Smith and Kennedy Jenx, one son; William Jerozal, one brother; Mike Duncan, and two sisters; Stephanie Redd and Brandi Duncan, as well as many nieces and nephews. Jennifer will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted.

Jennifer was preceded in death by her husband Richard Jerozal, her father Larry Duncan, her grandparents; Bud and Lela Duncan, and also Walter and Lucille Shannon.

Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.

Fuel Prices, Scarcity Rising Thanks to Weather-Disrupted Production

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Drivers are noticing higher prices at the pump thanks to weather-related production disruptions, according to an analysis published Friday by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

“Summer driving season is fast approaching, and after a year of severely curtailed travel due to the pandemic, people are itching to get on the road,” said John Anderson, economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Over the last year, Anderson has been providing analysis of how COVID-19 has affected many facets of our economy, including meat prices, consumer spending and employment.

Anderson said that for the week ending April 5, the average retail price of gasoline in the United States was $2.945 per gallon.

“This is about even with prices in late-spring and early-summer 2019, but it is far higher than the pandemic-induced low of $1.87 per gallon in late-April 2020,” he said.

While the Energy Information Administration doesn’t break out Arkansas prices, the state is  included in their Petroleum Administration for Defense District 3, known as PADD3. The district includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Texas.

“The PADD3 average retail gasoline price hit $2.693 per gallon near the end of March before retreating almost a nickel in the subsequent two weeks,” Anderson said. “This is a lower average than the U.S. price, but the increase since the first of the year has been greater: U.S. prices have gone up about 25 percent since the first week of the year; PADD3 prices have gone up about 35 percent  over that same period. 

“Prices in the PADD3 region are the highest since June 2018,” he said.Some of this is due to production disruption from extreme cold in late February, as well as refiners slowing to change gears to production of summer formulations. Anderson also said “Anecdotally, some localized shortages have even developed.”

Looking ahead

Looking down the road, the increases aren’t expected to continue as steeply.

“Despite expectations for strong seasonal demand, bolstered by a steady return to more normal post-pandemic activity, retail gasoline prices are likely to begin to moderate as the supply side of the market recovers from the recent shocks,” he said. “Total gasoline stocks, which include not only finished gasoline but also major gasoline blending components, have already turned up – recovering a bit faster than the market anticipated.” 

Find all of the COVID related analysis at this link:https://www.uaex.uada.edu/life-skills-wellness/health/covid19/COVID-Economic_Impacts_in_Arkansas.aspx

Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk, @uaex_edu or @ArkAgResearch. Find 4-H information at this link: https://4h.uaex.edu/.

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Walker Powers Paris Past Charleston, 15-3

On a beautiful day in Charleston, the Paris Eagles baseball and softball teams played important conference divisional games with the Tigers to remain in contention for a top seed in the upcoming district tournaments. And when the day came to an end, the Eagles and Lady Eagles returned to Paris with important conference wins and regular season sweeps against Charleston. The Lady Eagles defeated a determined Charleston team, 6-4. And across campus, the baseball Eagles, led by a monster performance from junior Duke Walker, finished the day with a big 15-3 victory over the Tigers.

In his best day so far in the 2021 high school baseball season, the Missouri commit was dominant from the mound and at the plate. Walker’s hitting has been impressive all season, but against Charleston, his pitching improved along with his control and velocity, and Walker kept the Tigers hitters off-balanced all afternoon. Walker pitched four complete innings and recorded 12 strikeouts while giving up just one hit. Meanwhile, on offense, Walker’s dominance continued by going 3 for 3 at the plate with 5 RBI’s which included a grand slam in the top of the fifth inning that ended any comeback hopes that Charleston may have had after scoring three runs to cut into the Eagles’ 8-0 lead.

Resident Press Photo

Walker, a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball, got off to a rocky start on the mound in the opening weeks of the baseball season. Without the benefit of much off season baseball work and conditioning, Walker showed potential with excellent velocity and athleticism, but suffered from lapses in control of his pitches in key situations. His performance on Friday at Charleston indicates that he is now in baseball shape and I look for him to be a key factor for the Eagles as they head into the final weeks of the regular season and the post-season tournaments. Walker can play several positions well on defense, and he is always a threat to go deep anytime he steps to the plate.

Resident Press Photo

After the game, Eagles coach Josh Hart was ecstatic over the progress his team is making as they work toward peaking for the post-season. “Things are starting to click as a team for Eagles baseball. We are starting to hit the ball 1-9 (every player in the line-up) and playing fundamentally sound baseball. We knew as a coaching staff that we would get everything firing on all cylinders and it’s fun baseball when it happens. Duke Walker is back on the mound for us and had a dominant four innings striking out 12 and only giving up one hit He also had a heck of a game at the plate, helping us seal the run rule win in six innings. Konnor Edwards continues to perform both at the plate and on the mound for us. Nate Henderson is getting in his groove behind the plate and despite having to play with a couple of bumps, he did an outstanding job and showed a lot of heart.”

Resident Press Photo

Friday’s defensive lineup that featured Walker on the mound, Henderson behind the plate, and Edwards pitching in relief seems to be a strong combination that will play well for Paris as the season moves toward the playoffs. Walker moved to shortstop in the fifth, and made several good plays with his glove and his throwing arm to first. The Eagles will need to continue to find more pitching as the season progresses to have multiple starters when needed in a tournament format in the post-season.

Resident Press Photo

Paris will return home for a non-conference game with Clarksville on Monday, and that will be another opportunity for the Eagles to continue their development on pitching depth moving forward. On Tuesday, Paris will travel to Hackett for a huge conference rematch with the Hornets that could have a significant bearing on the final divisional standings. Hackett defeated the Eagles in Paris, and the Eagles will need to return the favor on Tuesday to remain in contention for the divisional lead.

Resident Press Photo

Additional photos from the Eagles game at Charleston are now available on Facebook at Paris Eagles Sports. Fans from both schools can view and copy the photos free of charge. Resident Press will be in Paris on Monday to bring you coverage of the Eagles’ game with Clarksville. Watch for a recap of Monday’s game in the Tuesday evening online edition of Resident Press.

Resident Press Photo

The Lady Eagles will travel to Atkins on Monday for a non-conference game with the Lady Red Devils. Paris will travel to Hackett on Tuesday to play a critical game with the Lady Hornets that will likely be for first place in the division. The Lady Hornets defeated the Lady Eagles in Paris in their first match-up, and Paris will need to get a big win at Hackett to remain in contention for the divisional title.

Both Charleston baseball and softball teams are very young, but very talented. The Charleston players are getting valuable playing experience this year, and I expect both teams to be big contenders next year. Charleston baseball coach Tyler Reece is doing a good job with a very young ball club, and he will have his Tigers in full contention next year. They are very talented, and this year, no one should take them for granted. They are capable of beating anyone.

Resident Press Photo

Enjoy your weekend, and I will see you in Paris on Monday afternoon for the baseball Eagles game with the Panthers. See you at the ballpark!

Waldron Steals The Show At Home Track Meets

Pictured are the Sr Bulldogs

The Waldron Track program has successfully hosted its first week-long meet of the season. With nearly 30 schools in attendance for the Waldron Jr Bulldog Relays on Tuesday, April 6, the Waldron Jr High track teams had their work cut out for them. After setting a winning pace in Monday night’s seventh grade meet, the Jr’s were ready steady go to keep the Top 8 ribbons coming in.

Girls Coach, Angie Bailey said, “Junior High highlights from this past week were Erika Gabel’s personal record in the 300 hurdles and Ashlynn Stidman’s PR in 800 and 400. Those two continue getting faster every meet. Also, my seventh-grade group might be small in numbers but they are mighty in scoring points!”

Emma Wilson

Final Jr Girls Results:

100 METER DASH
14.56 Seandraia Brown 4th
14.60 Emma Wilson 5th

200 METER DASH
30.70 Seandraia Brown 5th
31.31 Emma Wilson 8th

400 METER DASH
1:09.67 Ashlynn Stidman 3rd
1:16.01 Erin Robertson 12th

800 METER RUN
3:00.83 Emily Sears 7th
3:01.44 Ailey Ledesma 9th

1600 METER RUN
6:45.79 Ailey Ledesma 5th
7:06.12 Emily Sears 8th

100 METER HURDLES
18.46 Kyleigh Cook-Coker 2nd
19.54 Gracie Carnley 4th

300 METER HURDLES
54.92 Erika Gabel 1st
58.05 Gracie Carnley 9th

4X100 METER RELAY
58.29 Relay Team 3rd

4X200 YARD RELAY
2:03.87 Relay Team 2nd

4X400 METER RELAY
4:56.22 Relay Team 2nd

4X800 METER RELAY
12:00.57 Relay Team 2nd

HIGH JUMP
4-4 Emma Wilson 8th
4-2 Emily Sears 12th

LONG JUMP
13-4 Macie Davis 7th
13-3 Karis Pritchard 9th

TRIPLE JUMP
29-3 Macie Davis 2nd
27-3 Alicia Sher 8th

POLE VAULT
6-6 Rylie Brown 3rd
5-6 Rachael Hamlet 5th

DISCUS
69-9 Lily Woodard 5th
62-0 Bailee Bise 8th

SHOT PUT
29-7 Erica Brothers 8th
27-10 Lily Woodard 9th

Karli Anschutz

“In our Jr High meet, we won 10 of the 17 events,” explained Boys Coach, Chance Tanner. “Kason Davis won 3 individual events (high jump, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles) and Joseph Rogers also won 3 individual events (100, 200, triple jump). We have a really strong 9th-grade group. Kason Davis and Joseph Rogers are loaded up every meet and place in the Top 3 in almost all of their events. They contributed a large number of points at our home meet to secure the win. With less than 2 weeks until our Jr High conference meet, which is in Waldron, I’m excited to see how this group competes for the championship.”

Final Jr Boys Results:

100 METER DASH
12.46 Joseph Rogers 1st
13.19 Michael Grano 13th
13.63 Isaac Woolsey 18th

200 METER DASH
25.35 Joseph Rogers 1st
28.36 Hondo Grano 16th
28.90 Zachary Jones 21st
32.92 Michael Grano 34th

400 METER DASH
56.94 Marco Mondragon 2nd
1:01.91 Hunter Evans 5th
1:03.66 Kylon Fielding 10th
1:04.39 Steeven Newman 14th

800 METER RUN
2:21.62 Ambrose Poor 3rd
2:35.56 Steve Grano 8th
2:36.99 Landon Marcellus 12th

1600 METER RUN
5:39.93 Damien MacPhearson 8th
5:56.28 Landon Defoor 15th

110 METER HURDLES
17.44 Kason Davis 1st
20.16 Chris Lopez 4th

300 METER HURDLES
43.69 Kason Davis 1st
46.94 Chris Lopez 2nd

4X100 METER RELAY
48.00 Relay Team 1st

4X200 YARD RELAY
1:47.77 Relay Team 2nd

4X400 METER RELAY
4:03.47 Relay Team 1st

4X800 METER RELAY
9:58.41 Relay Team 1st

HIGH JUMP
5-8 Kason Davis 1st
5-2.25 Chris Lopez 3rd

LONG JUMP
19-5.5 Kason Davis 3rd
17-11 Joseph Rogers 7th
16-10 Gabe Nevills 13th

TRIPLE JUMP
39-4 Joseph Rogers 1st
34-4 Chris Lopez 4th
32-0 Gabe Nevills 9th

POLE VAULT
10-0 Brycen Hattabaugh 1st
9-0.75 Cole Bailey 2nd
7-6 Connor Beck 9th

DISCUS
100-8 Zaydin Jones 3rd
80-3 Nathan Canada 13th
66-0 Joe Slater 19th

SHOT PUT
32-8.5 William Atchley 16th
31-8.5 Isaac Woolsey 19th
31-6 Taylen Bates 20th

Chris Lopez

On Thursday, April 8, the Sr High group jumped and landed victoriously in their meet with over 30 other schools. “For the Senior High girls, Erica Davis set a PR in 100 and 300 hurdles and also showed what she can really do in the triple jump which will be super helpful for District,” continued Coach Bailey. “Between triple and long we scored 29 points. We continue to be really strong in distance and that really helps a lot. The girls keep getting better and I’m so proud of their performances even against some tough competition.”

Final Sr Girls Results:

100 METER DASH
14.37 Molly Richmond 7th Finals
14.58 Kylee Day 9th Finals

200 METER DASH
29.50 Molly Richmond 4th
30.94 Tristan VanDeWiele 8th

400 METER DASH
1:07.20 Jasmine Nelson 3rd
1:09.11 Molly Richmond 5th

800 METER RUN
2:44.00 Ryleigh Anschutz 2nd
2:44.22 McKenzi Stidman 3rd

1600 METER RUN
6:25.96 Maria Grano 2nd

3200 METER RUN
13:48.81 Maria Grano 3rd
14:45.43 Constance Richmond 4th

100 METER HURDLES
17.90 Erica Davis 3rd
18.36 Hannah Jeffries 4th

300 METER HURDLES
55.54 Erica Davis 2nd
58.32 Hannah Jeffries 5th
1:03.52 Sarah Byford 9th

4X200 METER RELAY
1:59.79 Relay Team 3rd

4X400 METER RELAY
4:39.81 Relay Team 1st

4X800 METER RELAY
11:26.44 Relay Team 1st

HIGH JUMP
4-8 Molly Richmond 9th
4-6 Jinger Ward 10th

LONG JUMP
15-6 Hannah Jeffries 3rd
15-5.5 Rheagan Sanford 4th

TRIPLE JUMP
32-1.5 Rheagan Sanford 1st
32-1 Hannah Jeffries 2nd

POLE VAULT
8-0 Kylee Broomfield 3rd
6-6 Haylee Stidman 9th

DISCUS
72-6 Madison Goff 6th
65-11 Kylee Day 11th

SHOT PUT
24-1 Brooklyn Brothers 13th
21-7.5 Allison Dye 16th

Sr Lady Bulldogs

“The Gaile Hainley Sr Relays were a good test of where we are as a team with having all of our athletes that play baseball competing,” concluded Coach Tanner. “Those guys definitely did not disappoint, a couple of them even running times to place them in the Top 5 in their events in the 3A. We won 7 of the 18 events, three of those being relays. We had 17 new personal records set by our athletes. Drake Carnley prequalified for the 3A state meet in the 300 hurdles running 41.73 (ranks him #1 in 3A in that event). Our 4×100 team also prequalified with a time of 44.26 and is ranked #1 in 3A currently. Bryson Bailey improved his long jump mark again by jumping 22’8.5″ that is only a quarter of an inch away from the state record. We have a really good team this year that can make a run for the State Championship as long as we get enough athletes qualified.”

Final Sr Boys Results:

100 METER DASH
11.24 Bryson Bailey 1st
11.44 Gabino Grano 2nd

200 METER DASH
23.18 Gabino Grano 1st
25.90 Whitley Fielding 18th

400 METER DASH
52.57 Caden Fuller 1st
54.49 Tyler Wright 2nd

800 METER RUN
2:19.14 Lane Metcalf 7th
2:22.18 Montana Wesley 8th
2:27.52 Alex Hernandez 10th
2:38.64 Marvin Velasquez 14th
2:43.85 Sean Frayer 15th

1600 METER RUN
5:22.56 Bladyn Mays 11th
5:44.64 Baldy Villarreal 18th
6:06.50 Marvin Velasquez 22nd

3200 METER RUN
13:00.07 Marshall Salmon 12th
13:15.12 Bladyn Mays 14th

110 METER HURDLES
15.80 Isaac Villarreal 2nd
16.51 Drake Carnley 3rd

300 METER HURDLES
41.73 Drake Carnley 2nd
42.26 Isaac Villarreal 3rd

4X100 METER RELAY
44.26 Relay Team 1st

4X200 METER RELAY
1:35.98 Relay Team 1st

4X400 METER RELAY
3:48.74 Relay Team 2nd

4X800 METER RELAY
9:25.06 Relay Team 1st

HIGH JUMP
5-10.25 Tyler Wright 5th
5-10 Isaac Villarreal 6th

LONG JUMP
PR 22-8.5 Bryson Bailey 1st
19-6 Bryce Passmore 7th

TRIPLE JUMP
39-0 Isaac Villarreal 4th
37-10.75 Bryce Passmore 5th

POLE VAULT
10-6 Killian Beck 4th
9-6.25 Peyton Lipham 8th

DISCUS
90-4 Marcus Dye 10th
81-5 Lincoln Hale 17th

SHOT PUT
36-4 Gabino Grano 11th

Kason Davis

Lady Bulldogs Relish Back to Back Wins

By Peggy Barger

On Tuesday and Thursday the Lady Bulldogs won both conference games against Vilonia and Greenbrier. 

Thursday
Game 1: Greenwood 10 – Greenbrier 0  (5 innings)
Game 2: Greenwood 7 – Greenbrier 6

Mady Cartwright #11 GRAND SLAM in game 1 – Greenwood vs Greenbrier (photo courtesy of Peggy Barger)

Haven Clements had just one walk in the game, with no hits backed by a great defense. This helped the Lady Bulldogs get a big win to start the conference doubleheader. 

Greenbrier came in 6-0 in conference with 14 straight game wins. “We talked before the game this had to be our best defensive outing,” shared Coach Ronnie Sockey. “Haven stepped up big time in this game.”

Haven Clements #8 pitched a NO HITTER in game 1 – Greenwood vs Greenbrier (photo courtesy of Peggy Barger)

Offense went to work early in this win, scoring 6 runs in the first. The big blow came from a grand slam from Madison Cartwright, who went 3-3 in the game with 4 RBIs. 

Greenwood took advantage of 7 walks by Greenbrier, pitching to rack up 10 runs on 9 hits. 

Ally Sockey added 4 singles and one RBI, then Natalie Thomas and Kinley Fisher added 1 hit and 1 RBI each to help the offense. 

In game 2, the ladies held on to take the win, 7 to 6.  

Ally Sockey and Ronnie Sockey, player/daughter and coach/dad (photo by Peggy Barger)

Tuesday
Game 1: Greenwood 11 –  Vilonia 1  (5 innings)
Game 2: Greenwood 7 – Vilonia 0

“Haven Clements helped take the win only giving up one run in the first inning,” shared Coach Sockey. “They then shut Vilonia down the next six innings.”

At the plate, the top two hitters in the order led the offense with five hits in 8 at bat. Ally Sockey had 3 and Chelsi Possage had 2. Offense took advantage of 3 Vilonia errors in the 3rd and 4th innings, scoring 5 runs in each then pushing across one more in the bottom of 5 to get the run rule. 

“Tori Howard and the defense played a great game to shut out Vilonia in game 2,” added Sockey.

Possage lead the offense with 2 hits, a double and a triple. Sockey, Thomas, Charley, Taylor, Cutsinger, Cartwright, Claire, Chapple, and McCoy added one hit apiece to total 9 hits for game 2. Possage had 2 RBIs, and Sockey had 3 RBIs in the game. 

“Pitching and defense was the headliner in this game! Howard only gave up 5 hits, but the defense and some great pitches helped get the team out of a jam with two bases loaded to secure a shutout,” added Sockey. “The game ended on a great diving catch and double play by Possage to rob a base hit.”

Greenwood Sports Center/Marshal 96.7 live-streamed the games. Pictured from left,  Dr. Dustin Smith, Tim Terry, and Sean Holland. It was sponsored by Ronald Ragon Realty. (photo courtesy of Peggy Barger)

Lady Hornets Swing Hard In Soft Loss

After seven long and intense innings with the Charleston Lady Tigers, the Hackett Lady Hornets took the defeat 4-5. With no action until the bottom of the third when the Lady Tigers brought home three runs, the Lady Hornets were able to get on the board in the top of the fourth inning when Madi Taylor scored on a wild pitch. As Hackett kept Charleston scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, the Lady Hornets got things moving yet again to start the fifth. With the score reading 3-1 in the Lady Tigers’ favor, Hackett knew they had to start making magic happen.

Kayla Richardson

With Madeline Freeman out on a sacrifice fly to center field, Lexi Gann was able to get home faster than Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. And after Sarah White tripled on a line drive to center field, Shayla Foster scored tying the game 3-3. After another hitless inning from the Lady Tigers, the battle waged on to stay neck-and-neck in the sixth with each team earning just one run apiece. For the Lady Hornets, it was a Gann ground ball that reached on an error by a Charleston shortstop that sent Alona Rothwell home and finishing the inning tied 4-4.

Madi Taylor

With the sun beating on their backs and sweat dripping down their faces, Hackett opened the seventh and last inning. But as fate would have it, the Lady Hornets would not be walking away with the bag of diamonds as they were unable to make the scoreboard move leaving the Lady Tigers to secure a run and end the game 5-4 Charleston. This battle has Hackett with a 6-7 record. Pitching for the Lady Hornets was Kayla Richardson who launched 114 pitches to 34 batters striking out 3. When it comes to total season stats for Hackett, the Lady Hornets earned 2 home runs from Foster and Jayme Durham, 99 runs led by Freeman and Foster with 16 each, 215 putouts with White taking 57 and Durham taking 53, and 95 assists. The Hackett Lady Hornets will hit the dirt again on Monday, April 12 when they take on the Hector Lady Wildcats on the road.

Sarah White

Photos courtesy of Bridget Freeman

Lady Tigers Leave Lavaca Pitched In No-Hitter

It was double-trouble for the Lavaca Lady Golden Arrows this past Thursday night as they had to face off with the Mansfield Lady Tigers not once but twice in a single evening. In their first head-to-head, the Lady Tigers held Lavaca scoreless 15-0 in just three short innings. Pitcher, Alyson Edwards hurled 42 pitches to 11 batters striking out 4. Running faster than ice cream down your hand during summertime was Natalie Allison, Chloe Creekmore, Kiara Thomas, Cole Smith, Alyson Edwards, and Brooklyn Adams with 2 a piece, and Harlie Fuller, Hailey Walker, and Serenity Brunson with 1 each. Fielding at .929 percent, the Lady Tigers earned 9 putouts. Allison and Creekmore had 4 each while Edwards snagged 1.

Catcher, Brooklyn Adams

With no rest for the weary, Lavaca and Mansfield hit the field for their second battle and again, Lady Tigers pitcher Alyson Edwards kept the Lady Golden Arrows unsuccessful in their attempt to put any runs on the board and ended the night with another 15-0 victory. Facing only four innings in this match-up, Skylynn Harris was first on the board scoring on a Lavaca wild pitch in the bottom of the second. Next, Adams doubled on a ground ball to third allowing Allison and Smith to charge home while Fuller scored on a throw and Alexis Chestine closed out the runs setting the score at 5-0 Mansfield. For the bottom of the third, Fuller singled on a ground ball to shortstop letting Creekmore to rocket home. Allison scored on a passed ball and Walker and Fuller brought home the bacon again after Adams hit a ground ball and reached an error by the first baseman.

Third Baseman, Chloe Creekmore

To close out the game, the Lady Tigers delivered a six-run showstopper in the bottom of the fourth. Smith singled on a ground ball to left field that sent Allison and Fuller home. Edwards hit a pop fly and reached an error by the second baseman that allowed Smith to score again. Adams scored on a wild pitch. And to end the match, Creekmore doubled on a fly ball to left field that catapulted Thomas and Edwards home. The Lady Tigers now hold a 6-2 record along with 88 total runs led by Adams and Thomas who tied with 12 each, and 1 home run by Alyson Edwards. Edwards has also made 561 pitches to 154 batters and 390 total strikes. On Monday, April 12, the Mansfield Lady Tigers will host the Mountainburg Lady Dragons. In their first conference game, the Lady Tigers walked away with a final score of 17-0.

Natalie Allison

Photos courtesy of Crystal Thomas

Magazine Track Makes Good Showing In Waldron

This past week, both Jr High and Sr High Magazine track teams hit the ground running. On Tuesday, April 6, the Jr Rattlers and Lady Rattlers were up first to compete in the Waldron Jr Bulldog Relays. With nearly 30 other schools competing against them, they weren’t too shabby holding their own against much bigger schools. “We only brought partial squads to each meet,” explained Coach Randy Bryan. “Half of my junior high teams are 7th graders and had competed hard the night before. During Monday’s 7th Grade meet, ChaKong Yang won shot put and Callie Nicholas took 2nd in Long Jump and the 1600m Dash.”

Final Results for the Jr Girls:

100m Dash: 15th-Ainslee Chappell 15.68 and 29th-Dessi Carolan 17.90

Long Jump: 19th-Callie Nicholas 11-4 and 21st-Ainslee Chappell 10-9

Triple Jump: 16th-Carissa Webster 20-8.5

Discus: 6th-Jailynn Sims 65-8 and 18th-Kilee Hurst 34-10

Shot Put: 4th-Jailynn Sims 30-7 and 17th-Haley Myers 24-5

4×100-13th

4×200-6th

4×800-6th

Final Results for the Jr Boys:

100m Dash: 17th-JaDon Adair 13.55 and 31st-Jacob Thompson 14.82

200m Dash: 17th-Aiden Carter 28.47and 19th-Jacob Thompson 28.82

400m Dash: 9th-JaDon Adair 1:03 and 32nd-Gunner Franklin 1:14

Shot Put: 2nd-JaDon Adair 39-7.5 and 29th-Chakong Yang 27-6.5

800m Run: 14th-Kolton McCubbin 2:37 and 18th-Dakotah Stafford 3:05

1600m Run: 17th-Dakotah Stafford 6:10

110m Hurdles: 17th-Keith Tate 23.27

Triple Jump: 8th-Nate Smith 32-2 and 11th-Aidan Carter 30-5.5

Long Jump: 22nd-JaDon Adair 15-5.75 and 25th-Jacob Thompson 15-1

300m Hurdles: 16th-Keith Tate 59.60

High Jump: 13th-Koltan McCubbin 4-8

Pole Vault: 10th-Yeej Keej Vang 6-6

Discus: 9th-JaDon Adair 84-4 and 10th-Jaxon Pickartz 84-0

4×100-12th

4×200-9th

4×800-9th

Ainslee Chappell

On Thursday, April 8, it was the Sr High’s turn as Magazine headed back to Waldron to compete in the Gaile Hainley Relays. “Most of my senior high participate in other spring sports leaving Carlee Parrish as my only scorer at the Gaile Hainley Relays. I’m very pleased with our progress. What we lack in depth, we make up for in hard work and heart. It’s the Rattler way! We only have two freshmen meaning almost all athletes are rookies to the sport due to Covid last year. Being in a conference with legendary coaches like John Mackey at Mansfield and Keith Willsey at Acorn means my athletes will have to learn quickly and work hard to compete at the conference championships. I look forward to the challenge. My kids will be ready!”

Final Results for the Sr Girls:

400m Dash:
1:14.07 Carlee Parrish 11th


Long Jump:
13-3.5 Carlee Parrish 16th


Pole Vault:
6-6.25 Carlee Parrish 8th


Discus:
56-8 Carlee Parrish 19th

Final Results for the Sr Boys:

Long Jump:
13-8.5 Jackson Oliver 28th

JaDon Adair