Benton 6, Minden 1
It was a scoreless game through three innings, but the intensity was high at Griffith Stadium for the first of two clashes between these heated rivals and top-five teams in Class 4-A.
John Volentine got the start for Minden and cruised through three innings without giving up a run.
In the fourth inning, Benton finally got going offensively, scoring two runs before Minden could get anyone out in the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, Austin King doubled on a shot to the center-field gap to get the Tide rolling.
King scored on an error on the next play, and the Tide were within one run.
But Benton scored two more runs in the sixth, and Cole Horton hit a two-run home run in the seventh to put the game to bed.
Landon Joyner led the Benton to victory on the hill. He lasted six and two-thirds innings, allowing six hits and one run while striking out seven and walking zero.
Volentine took the loss for Minden. He was accurate from the mound, going the entire game for the Tide without walking a batter.
Volentine led Minden with two hits in three at bats.
Benton totaled 11 hits. Cole Horton, Tanner Tims, Clint Lasiter, and Sam Simmons all managed multiple hits for Benton.
Horton went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Benton in hits.
The two teams will square off again tonight in Benton at 6 p.m.
Doyline 15, Saline 0
Kyle Spears didn’t allow a single run against Saline, throwing a complete game shutout and leading Doyline to a 15-0 victory on Thursday afternoon.
Jeremy Miller led Doyline to victory by driving in five runs.
He went 2-for-2 at the plate.
Miller drove in runs on a double in the second, a double in the second, and a in the fourth.
Spears lasted four innings, allowing one hit and zero runs while striking out five and walking zero.
Calvary 5, Lakeside 1
The Warriors watched the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in a 5-1 loss to Calvary Baptist Academy on Thursday.
Lakeside lost despite out-hitting Calvary five to four. Cade Hart was the winning pitcher for the Cavaliers.
He lasted seven innings, allowing four hits and one run while striking out seven.
Nathan Willis took the loss for Lakeside.
He lasted five innings, allowing three hits and five runs while striking out four.
Kris Stewart led Lakeside with two hits in two at bats. CJ Watts, Michael Watts and Cade Boley all had hits for Lakeside.
Today’s Games:
Glenbrook v. River Oaks
at River Oaks, 6 p.m.
Lakeside v. Calvary
at Calvary, 5 p.m.
*double-header
Minden v. Benton
at Benton, 6 p.m.
N. Webster v. Cedar Creek
at North Webster, 7 p.m.