Ladybirds break out in the fifth, trip Lady Hornets

North Callaway sophomore starter Jaida Gray delivers a pitch in the second inning of the Ladybirds' 9-1 win over the Fulton Lady Hornets on Tuesday night at Auxvasse. Gray threw a complete game in her first start of the season, scattering five hits.
North Callaway sophomore starter Jaida Gray delivers a pitch in the second inning of the Ladybirds' 9-1 win over the Fulton Lady Hornets on Tuesday night at Auxvasse. Gray threw a complete game in her first start of the season, scattering five hits.

All North Callaway sophomore starter Jaida Gray wanted to do was help her own cause.

The right-hander led off the Ladybirds' half of the fifth inning just looking to get on base and in position to extend the 2-1 lead she and her cohorts had built over the Fulton Lady Hornets on Tuesday night.

So when Gray lined an offering from Fulton sophomore starter Autumn Lungstrum to left field, all she was thinking was basehit. But the the ball trickled past Lady Hornets senior outfielder Sydney Bailey all the way to the fence.

"I didn't intend to do that, but I wanted to do that," Gray said of the hit. "And I was really happy when it happened because I needed it to boost my confidence."

The speedy Gray took advantage of the double and Fulton fielding error, circling the bases on the play to ignite a seven-run outburst in the fifth for North Callaway. The Ladybirds went on to take their home opener from Fulton 9-1, claiming their first win of the season.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.