The Benton Tigers won their season opener in dramatic fashion and the Haughton Bucs notched their first victory Tuesday.
Benton, a non-select Division I semifinalist last season, defeated defending select Division II champion Teurlings Catholic 2-1 at Northwestern State. Haughton defeated Glenbrook 7-0 in its home opener.
At NSU, the game was tied at one going into the bottom of the seventh. Brody Turnipseed led off with a walk and moved to second on Bud Burns’ sacrifice bunt.
After a lineout, Slade Stephens brought home Turnipseed with a ground-ball single to center field.
Stephens also had an impressive performance as the starting pitcher. He allowed no runs, one hit, struck out three and walked two in four innings. Bryson Gates pitched three strong innings of relief, allowing two hits.
Teurlings Catholic (0-2) also got solid pitching, limiting the Tigers to four hits. Starter Nick Brown allowed two hits in five innings.
Benton scored its first run in the bottom of the first. Case Jorden led off with a double and Hayden Millen followed with a single. Jorden scored on a groundout by Cole Snell.
Benton faces Rosepine in the Sulphur tournament Friday at 3:30.
At Haughton, the Bucs (1-1) broke open a scoreless game with four runs in the fourth. They added two in the fifth and one in the sixth.
Starter Landon Rolland allowed just three hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked three. Carson Plant struck out two in the final inning.
Haughton had six hits. Russ Barrett went 2-for-3. Plant drove in the two runs in the fifth with a single and finished with three RBI.
Glenbrook dropped to 0-2.
Haughton begins a three-game series against Ruston Friday at 6 at Ruston.