The Benton Tigers clinched at least a share of the District 1-5A championship in dramatic fashion Friday afternoon at Benton.
Harrison Miller smacked a two-run home run with one out in the bottom of the eighth to give the Tigers a 4-2 victory over Airline in the first of their two-game series.
Benton (25-3-2) has a three-game lead over second-place Airline (16-11, 9-3) with three games left. The Tigers need just one victory in their last district three games to win their second straight outright title. An Airline loss will also give them the championship.
Benton and Airline are scheduled to complete the series Tuesday at Airline at 6.
victory in the second game scheduled for Tuesday at 6 at Airline
Friday’s game was originally scheduled for Saturday. It was moved up a day because there is a very good chance of rain and thunderstorms Saturday.
Hayden Millen got things started for Benton in the eighth with a one-out single. Miller then hit the ball over the left-field fence.
Both teams got outstanding pitching performances.
Benton starter Cole Snell gave up three hits, struck out four and walked two in five innings. Bryson Gates pitched two scoreless innings of relief. He allowed two hits, struck out three and walked none.
Airline starter Leo Heng allowed five hits, struck out four and walked two in six innings.
Benton tied the game at 2 in the sixth. Snell led off with a walk, advanced to third on an error and scored on a single by Miller.
Airline took a 2-1 lead with two in the fifth. Leadoff batter Heng was hit by a pitch and Ayden Hawn walked.
Drew Robinson was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with one out. Brock Jordan then drilled a single to center field, scoring courtesy runner Peyton Hughes and Hawn.
Benton scored its first run in the third. Kannon Greer singled with one out. Case Jorden doubled and Greer scored.
Miller went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Millen went 2-for-4. Brody Turnipseed had a double.
Airline’s Jordan went 3-for-4 with the two RBI.