The Tunica Blue Devils swept the Benton Academy Raiders by scores of 13-2 and 18-12 to advance to the next round.
Bryce Ables, Ethan Shanks, Brett Pierce, Wes Melton and Clayton Saxton each had hits in game one. Shanks and Saxton drove in BA’s two runs.
Ables was the starting pitcher for the Raiders, allowing five hits and six runs (four earned) while striking out six batters over five and a third innings. Shanks came in to relieve him and gave up three hits and seven runs while striking out two.
In game two of the series Benton got off to a lead, but the Raiders couldn’t hold on to it.
Garrett Vandevere started things off for the Raiders with an RBI single in the first inning. Pierce drove in two runs, and Waylon Dewitt hammered a solo home run over the center field wall.
BA held on to a 5-3 lead heading into the second inning, but Tunica scored five runs on three hits to take an 8-5 lead.
In the third inning Dalton Robles had a three-run home run to put BA up 10-8.
Tunica went ahead in the fifth inning and built on the lead.
Robles was the starting pitcher for BA, surrendering nine hits and 12 runs (seven earned) while striking out two.
Robles and Saxton each had two hits for the Raiders. Robles had five RBI to lead BA at the plate.
The Raiders finished the season with a 7-12 overall record.
