BENTON — With the potential tying run at second and one out in the bottom of the final[more] inning, right-hander Harrison Dale got one batter to line out to Austin Caldwell in center then ended the game with a strikeout as the Bryant Hornets junior varsity edged the Benton Panthers JV, 3-2, on Friday.
Caldwell had two hits for the Hornets and right-hander Blaine Knight took a shutout into the fifth. Dale, trying to complete his comeback from injury, took over in the fifth surrendered the two runs on a single, an error, a wild pitch and a passed ball along with the double that set up the final scenario.
Drew Tipton, Chase Tucker, Jason Hastings and Justin Emmerling also had hits for Bryant.
Over four innings, Knight limited Benton to just two hits while surrendering a walk, hitting three batters and striking out six.
The contest was scoreless until the top of the third when Bryant put up its first run. Tipton and Caldwell each reached on bunt singles. Tucker walked to load the bases for Hastings, who singled in the run.
The Hornets were denied more when Benton turned a doubleplay starting with a force at home.
It went to the top of the fifth with that 1-0 score. That’s when the Hornets added a pair. Caldwell walked and Tucker singled. With one out, they worked a double steal and Caldwell scored when Dale grounded out to short. Tucker came in when Evan Lee bounced out.
The win improved the Hornets JV to 11-1 on the season going into their next contest at home against Pine Bluff this Thursday.
