Bears’ Rally Falls Short As Rattlers Hold On

HOT SPRINGS - Woodlawn’s rally in the bottom of the sixth came up short as the Bears started their 2026 season with a 4-2 loss Friday evening in a non-conference game against the Murfreesboro Rattlers at Majestic Park in Hot Springs.Woodlawn Coach Tommy Richardson said the game was called after six innings due to the time limit.Murfreesboro had built a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth when the Bears began to rally.After Parker Arnold reached second base on an error to start the inning, he stole third and Ty Motes brought him home with a sacrifice fly. Logan Clark and Gavin Edmonds followed with back-to-back singles, and both runners moved into scoring position on a passed ball. Tyler French then brought Clark home on a sacrifice fly while Edmonds went to third.However, a pop up ended the threat.The Rattlers went up 1-0 in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly but the Bears’ Hollis Holderfield tripled to start the bottom of the frame. However, he was left stranded when three of the next four batters struck out.Murfreesboro added a run in the top of the fifth off a sacrifice bunt to make it 2-0 before the Rattlers added two more in the top of the fifth off a couple of walks, a double and passed ball, all coming with two out.Both pitching staffs delivered strong performances in the game. Logan Clark started for Woodlawn and scattered three hits and two walks over four innings while striking out seven. Holderfield came on in relief, giving up two hits and three walks with two strikeouts over one-and-two-third innings. Motes struckout the batter he faced in his one-third inning on the mound.Overall, the Bears had 10 strikeouts.Mufreesboro starter Isaac Kuyendall and reliever Carter Gilmore combined to allow four hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.Holderfield, Clark, Edmonds and Mark Adams accounted for Woodlawn’s four hits.The Bears bounced back Tuesday ...