The Benton Tigers are one win away from a spot in the non-select Division I state championship game.
Standing in the way is one of the strongest programs in the state, Barbe. The Bucs have won 12 state championships with the last one coming last year.
Benton (31-10), the No. 13 seed, and No. 1 Barbe (33-6) are scheduled to face off in the semifinals Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Sulphur’s McMurry Park (Field 41), home of the Ochsner LHSAA Baseball State Tournament.
The winner plays the winner between No. 2 West Monroe (33-8) and No. 3 Sam Houston (32-4) for the state championship Saturday at 5:30.
Barbe is undoubtedly the favorite, but Benton has defied expectations so far. The Tigers swept No. 20 Denham Springs in the first round and No. 4 Dutchtown in the second. In the quarterfinals, they eliminated No. 5 St. Amant, winning decisive Game 3 1-0. It was their fourth shutout victory in the playoffs.
Barbe had a bye in the first round. The Bucs swept No. 17 Sulphur in the second, 3-2 and 3-0. They had to go three games to defeat No. 8 Mandeville, winning Game 3 7-0 after falling 3-2 in Game 2. That loss stopped a 17-game winning streak.
UL-Lafayette signed Owen Galt pitched a three-hitter in Game 3. Another UL signee, Kason Bellard, had two hits.
Tanner Webb pitched a three-hitter in Benton’s Game 3 win against St. Amant. The Tigers have also gotten complete games from Thomas Allen and Kade Bryant in the playoffs.