The Benton Tigers’ quest for a third straight appearance in the non-select Division I playoffs is scheduled to begin Thursday.
Benton (29-6-2), the No. 6 seed, hosts No. 14 Destrehan (27-12) in Game 1 of a best-of-3 quarterfinal series at 6 p.m. Game 2 is scheduled for Friday at 6. Game 3, if necessary, is scheduled for Saturday at noon.
Benton defeated No. 22 St.,Amant two games to one in the second round last week after receiving a bye in the first. The Tigers lost the first game 11-6 then won a Saturday doubleheader 10-3 and 11-6,
Destrehan defeated No. 19 Fontainebleau two games to one in the first round. The Wildcats lost the first game 1-0 then won the next two 7-4 and 12-2.
Destrehan upset No. 3 West Monroe in the second round, sweeping the Rebels 1-0 and 5-3.
Destrehan is a member of 8-5A. The Wildcats finished second to Hahnville with a 5-1 record. Hahnville, the No. 5 seed, is playing No. 4 Zachary in the quarterfinals.
Three Destrehan pitchers limited West Monroe to five hits in the first game. The Wildcats had four and scored the game’s only run in the top of the seventh.
Josh Muller allowed four hits in 5 2/3 innings in Game 2. Destrehan had five hits.
Sophomore Derek Lucas, an outfielder and designated hitter, has gone 8-for-15 in the playoffs.
Last year, Destrehan lost to Central-Baton Rouge in the first round.
Benton had 33 hits in the three games against St. Amant. Pitcher and outfielder Cole Snell and outfielder Hayden Millen both went 6-for-9. Second baseman Brody Turnipseed went 6-for-12.
Pitcher and designated hitter Bud Burns went 4-for-6. Outfielder Kannon Greer went 3-for-8 with five RBI.
Snell and Slade Stephens were the winning pitchers in Games 2 and 3, respectively.