SHERWOOD — The Bryant 7-year-old All-Stars are headed to a 7-and-under Regional Tournament in Kenner, La., on July 23 after finishing 16th in the 52-team 8-and-under State Tournament.
The team’s run at State concluded on Tuesday night after they came back to the Sherwood Sports Complex for the final half inning of their game against Benton. Bryant trailed 10-5 when the game was suspended by rain on Monday.
Though the return trip was brief, they made it exciting putting together a two-run rally before Benton closed out the 10-7 win.
The team of 7-year-olds, managed by Matt Orender with assistance from Patrick Schroeder, includes Luke Bessire, Dakota Clay, Cooper Davis, Noah Davis, Peyton Dillon, Austin Ledbetter, Jaggar Littleton, Justin Orender, Brett Pennington, Austin Schroeder, Lawson Speer and Garrett Wilson.[more]
Bryant took a lead in the first inning of the game. Bessier singled and stole second then scored on a hit by Noah Davis.
Benton, however, rallied for three runs in the bottom of the inning and held that lead until the fourth as both teams played tough defense.
In the top of the fourth, Bryant again gained the upper hand. Bessire’s single got the inning going. Noah Davis beat out a bunt for a hit then both scored on a triple by Ledbetter. An out later, Pennington singled to make it 4-3. Though Pennington stole second and third, he was stranded.
Benton responded with a four-run uprising in the bottom of the inning to grab a 7-4 edge.
Bryant trimmed a run off that margin in the top of the fifth when Cooper Davis singled, stole second and scored on a base hit by Schroeder. A stolen base and a groundout by Littleton got Schroeder to third but he could get no further.
Benton then turned the 7-5 lead into the 10-5 advantage it enjoyed when the sky opened up in the top of the fifth.
When the teams returned on Tuesday, Noah Davis singled and Ledbetter doubled with one out. Dillon grounded out to get a run home then Pennington beat out a bunt single to get the second one in but that’s all Bryant could muster.
