The Bryant Hornets junior varsity team managed just two hits and the Benton Panthers JV team only one when they met Thursday night. The difference in the game was the fact that five Hornets pitchers walked no one and hit only one batter while Panther hurlers issued issued four walks, hit two batters and had one very costly wild pitch.
The result was a 2-0 win for Bryant in the five inning contest.
Evan Lee and Jake East had Bryant’s hits while Tyler Vernon managed the lone Benton hit. Devin Dupree, Chase Tucker, Dalton Holt, Justin Emmerling and Harrison Dale each pitched an inning for the Hornets, combining on the one-hit shutout. The only other base-runner for the Panthers was Alex Graves who was struck by a pitch with two out in the top of the fifth.
The Hornets’ hurlers also benefited from some snappy defense, particularly by Nick Kehrees at third, East at short and Connor Tatum at second.
Bryant got the only run they’d need in the bottom of the first when Lee chopped a single up the middle then sprinted all the way to third on a wild pitch. With one out, Blake Patterson brought him home with a sacrifice fly.
The Hornets picked up their other run in the third when Lee walked, Dale was hit by a pitch, Patterson walked and, with two down, Tatum drew a free pass to force in the run.
The Bryant JV team improved to 12-0 on the season with the win.
