Manchester Academy had a walk-off performance to sweep Benton on the baseball field for the season.
The Mavericks’ head coach, Scooter Prince, was thrilled for his team to be able to sweep their rival, particularly the senior that helped make it happen.
“It was a really big win for the guys,” Prince said. “It’s a close school rivalry, and it means a lot to them. It was really big for Thomas Turner, who hit a walk-off single, especially since his previous at bat wasn’t very good. I was really happy for him.”
Manchester was able to take an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first inning.
The Mavericks came back out in the bottom of the second inning with three big runs to make it a 4-0 game.
After a scoreless third inning, the Raiders announced their presence with two runs to cut the deficit to 4-2.
The fifth inning saw Benton close the gap even more with a run to make it 4-3.
But the Mavericks pulled right back with a run of their own to make it a 5-4 game.
With their backs against the wall, the Raiders stepped up in the top of the seventh inning to score two runs, tying the game up at 5-5.
In the bottom of the seventh inning with a man on first and third, Thomas Turner stepped up to the plate for what would be his final appearance against the Raiders, and he made it count with an RBI single, ending the game with a score of 6-5.
Despite having six errors, the Mavericks were still able to pull off a win due to their 11 timely hits.
Senior Thomas Turner was the hero for Manchester in the win. He went 2-for-5 with a walk-off RBI single.
Ranier Roberts led the way offensively for Manchester with a 1-for-3 day at the plate with a two-run single.
Warner Adcock was nearly automatic at the plate. He went 3-for-4 with a walk, an RBI and a run.
Adcock also earned the win in relief after giving up two runs (0 ER) in an inning of work with two strikeouts.
Manchester will return to action on Thursday when they host yet another rival, Tri-County Academy.
The first pitch for Manchester vs. Tri-County is set for 6 p.m.
Benton Academy baseball coach Vance Avalon was impressed by Manchester’s resiliency.
“Manchester has a pretty good team,” Avalon said. “We were down most of the game and came back to tie it up in the seventh. That was good to see. It showed we won’t give up. But they battled back and had a walk-off. They outplayed us.”
With a few starters already missing in the game, the Raiders took another blow with a Blake Moore injury, and Cody Prescott was forced to step in and play a large role in a large moment.
Benton Academy baseball coach Blake Edwards was incredibly proud of Prescott’s performance.
“Cody came in and was 2-for-2 for us,” Edwards said. “He had a big bat for us with two out in the top of the seventh. His bat helped get us in position to tie the game. He played shortstop and made a few big plays to keep us in the game. His older brother played second rather than centerfield.”
Saxton Graves went 3.2 innings, giving up one earned run on four hits.
Easton Upshaw had a really big game in the Raiders’ loss. The senior went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
Benton Academy will return to the field on Monday when they host their Annual Spring Break Tournament. The time and opponent is TBA.
