LITTLE ROCK — Connor Martin and Gavin Burton cracked two hits apiece and the Bryant[more] 9-year-old All-Stars posted a 7-2 win over Blytheville in the first round of bracket play at the Southwest Regional Tournament at Junior Deputy Park on Sunday.
The team was set to play again on Monday at 5 p.m.
The 9-year-old all-stars, with Jeremy Morrow as manager, include Evan Barrett, Carson Burnett, Gavin Burton, Luke Dreher, Caleb Greiner, Drew Hatman, Connor Martin, Colby Morrow, Cade Parker, J.T. Parker, Tuner Seelinger, Hayden Thompson and Logan White.
Blytheville broke the ice on the scoring with a run in the top of the third but Bryant answered with a four-run uprising in the home half.
Greiner beat out an infield hit to start the inning. Martin singled up the middle and, with one out, Burton singled to center to drive in the tying run. Thompson was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Morrow, who came through with a two-run single. Thompson would score as well to make it 4-1.
After Blytheville failed to score in the top of the fourth, Bryant upped the advantage in the bottom of the frame. Cade Parker singled and moved up on J.T. Parker’s sacrifice. Greiner worked a walk on a 3-2 pitch then Martin drilled a two-run double. He would score as well to make it 7-1.
Blytheville eked out a run in the top of the fifth. The team put a pair of runners on base in the sixth but they were stranded as the game concluded.
