MAUMELLE — The Benton Panthers swept Maumelle 6-0 and 5-1 on April 14 in conference play.
“We did what we had to do and went to Maumelle and took two games from them,” Benton coach Mark Ballisteri said. “Our pitchers did a great job, giving our defense a chance to make plays. Our outfielders made several great plays in both games.”
Benton jumped out early in the opener, building a 3-0 lead with two runs in the first inning and one in the second. The Panthers’ defense helped maintain control, highlighted by a double play in the third inning and a diving catch by Marcus Bates in the fifth.
After a quiet stretch offensively, Benton broke through again in the seventh. Marcus Bates doubled in two runs to score Luke Ammons and Caleb Curry, and Micah Bates followed with a sacrifice fly to bring in Marcus Bates and extend the lead to 6-0.
In the second game, Benton continued its strong play, scoring four runs in the second inning and adding another in the fourth. Maumelle’s only run came in the fourth.
At the plate in Game 1, Noah Roberson led Benton by going 2 for 3, while Easton Snellings finished 1 for 4 with two RBIs. Curry also drove in two runs. Blake Mitchem pitched a complete game, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out five.
In Game 2, Sawyer Wilson went 2 for 3 with an RBI, while Marcus Bates added an RBI. Pitcher Evin Campbell allowed one hit and one earned run with two walks and nine strikeouts.
“We are currently tied for first in the conference, so we feel good about where we are,” Ballisteri said. “We still need to keep hitting the baseball, and I think we are headed in the right direction. We only struck out three times in the two games.”
Benton will host Bryant at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18.