HOT SPRINGS — After spotting the Benton 7-year-old All-Stars a 1-0 lead, the Bryant 8’s roared to a 12-2 romp on Saturday to advance to the winners bracket finals of the 8-and-under District Tournament, just a win away from playing for the championship.
The team was set to take on the Benton 8’s in the winners bracket finals at 2 p.m. today.
The Bryant 8’s, managed by Clint Hilson with assistance from Mike Meaders and Bill Drennan, include Cade Drennan, Hayden Hilson, Colton Kilgore, Rhett James, Tyler Larue, Braydan Lester, Trey McKim, Jake Meaders, Riley Morales, Josh Prather, Shane Small and Gage Stark.[more]
Coach Hilson mentioned that, initially, some difficulties with the pitching machine hindered the hitting but Benton managed to scored a run in the bottom of the first.
Things got straightened out for the second inning and Bryant went to work. James singled and swiped second then McKim knocked him in with a base hit. Meaders beat out a bunt for a hit then, with two down, Small came through with a clutch double to chase both baserunners home, snapping the 1-1 tie.
After holding Benton in the bottom of the second, Bryant got it rolling again with singles by Lester and Hilson in the top of the third. Larue reached on an error then Drennan rapped an RBI single to set up James who cleared the bases with a triple, making it 7-1.
Benton scratched out a second run in the bottom of the third but the Bryant Stars topped themselves in the top of the fourth. Meaders lit the fire with another bunt single. Kilgore’s double chased him home all the way from first then Small singled to make it 9-1. A double by Stark got Small in and, an out later, Lester banged a double before Hilson blasted a triple to make it 13-2.
Bryant again held Benton without scoring in the bottom of the fourth to finish off the victory.
