Photos courtesy of Paul Dotson
LONOKE — Locked in a 1-1 battle through three innings with their rivals from Benton, the Bryant 8-year-old All-Stars broke loose for four runs in the top of the fourth then opened up the floodgates with six in the fifth on the way to capturing the championship of the Cal Ripken 8-and-under State Tournament on Wednesday night. That 1-1 score turned into an 11-2 victory that completed Bryant’s unbeaten run through the tournament.
The team will represent Arkansas at Regionals in Mobile, Ala., from July 13-16.
The Bryant team, coached by Josh Daves, includes Luke Andrews, Jonathan Carter, Cohen Chalmers, Grant Daves, Kolby Duncan, Dante Hernandez, Colt Martin, Dawson Martin, Barrett Royal, Jake Taylor, Chance Thompson and Chase Trimble.
The fourth inning began with Bryant snapping the 1-1 tie in dramatic fashion. Duncan and Colt Martin ripped back-to-back triples. The outburst continued with Chalmers’ one-out RBI single to make it 3-1.
Dawson Martin, who led Bryant with three hits, cracked a double to left-center to put runners at second and third for Hernandez, who beat out an infield hit to drive in Chalmers.
Daves’ tap back to the mound resulted in an out at the plate but, moments later, Trimble’s bouncer to short was misplayed. Hernandez raced home with the final run of the inning and Bryant held a 5-1 advantage.
Gamely, Benton rallied for a run in the bottom of the fourth but stranded another potential run at second.
The game-breaking fifth started with another Benton miscus allowing Thompson to reach base. Andrews sacrificed him to second and, with two down, he took third on a passed ball. Duncan came through with a clutch RBI single and the onslaught commenced. Colt Martin, Royal, Chalmers, Dawson Martin and Hernandez each popped RBI singles. The inning was capped off by Daves who lined a single to center to drive in two.
Benton tried to rally again, loading the bases after two were out but a pop up to Taylor at first ended the game.
Bryant had scored first in the game. In the opening frame, Taylor singled, reached second on an error, moved to third and then snuck home on Duncan’s grounder to second.
Benton drew even in the home second on a bunt single, a sacrifice and a two-out error.
Both teams threatened in the third before Bryant surged in the fourth.
