Big innings, Green’s pitching help Alma extend win streak

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools

Michael Taylor hit his third home run of the season, and Braden Green supplied four strong innings of relief on Monday to help Alma topple Siloam Springs, 16-9, in 5A-West play. 

The win also extended the Airedales’ winning streak to four - the school’s longest winning streak since beating Clarksville, Siloam Springs, Russellville, and Greenwood between April 21-May 3, 2016.

The Airedales, who were playing their fifth straight game in the longtime series at Siloam Springs, scored three times in the first, five runs in the fourth, and seven in the sixth inning.

The series returns to Alma on Tuesday. 

Easton Daily led the Airedales with three hits and two RBIs. Cash Wilson and Piercen Howell also had two hits. Brayden Driscoll had three RBIs and Kyle Peters drove in two runs. 

Howell went three innings for the win, allowing seven runs (five earned) and striking out four. 

Green pitched four innings, striking out six and allowing just two runs. 

Soccer 

The Alma Airedales split their 5A-West match with Mountain Home on Monday. 

Freshman Hamir Thibodeaux scored on a free kick in the 3rd minute of the match, and Lukas Wald scored via a penalty kick in the 73rd minute. 

Alma (2-3-3, 1-3-2) remains in the 5A-West playoff hunt, one-half game behind fourth-place Farmington.

Alma had 14 shots on goal, with seven on target. Goalie Lukas Todd finished with three saves.

The Lady Airedales dropped a tough 2-0 decision to Mountain Home on Monday. Goalkeeper Lauren Burdick had five saves. 

Alma will host Gravette on Tuesday. 

Track 

Alma’s Nate Risley won the triple jump (38-8) at Greenwood’s junior high meet Thursday. 

Mason Mahar was sixth and Risley seventh in the long jump. Risley also finished eighth in the 200. 

Ben Jones was third in the shot put, and Jacob Greenwood finished fifth in the discus. David Atherton finished third in the high jump (5-4).

Tyce Bray was third (5:32.10) in the 1,600 meters. He placed fourth in the 800. 

Alma’s Jake Johnson finished fifth in the 100. 

Collins Driscoll finished second (29.43) in the 200. Olivia Whipple was third and Discoll fourth in the 100 meters. Whipple and Ryleigh Floyd finished fourth and fifth in the high jump. Floyd was third (30-4) in the triple jump. 

Floyd was second (18.05) and Saie Goodnoh second (18.36) in the 100 hurdles. 

Braelyn Holmes won the shot put (34-5), with Jaeli Morris taking third. 

Softball 

The Alma Lady Airedales’ softball team suffered a 5-2 loss to Mountain Home on Monday. 

Mountain Home (7-5, 3-2) took a 2-0 lead in the second inning against losing pitcher Harper Jernigan. The freshman standout went the distance, allowing five runs (four earned) and scattering 10 hits. She also struck out four. 

Payton Morris and Annie Davis each drove in a run for the Lady Airedales (7-6, 1-4). 

Alma will host Farmington on Tuesday.