Benton Academy kept their playoff chances alive with an 8-7 walk-off win over Canton Academy on Friday night.
Canton took a lead early in the contest by scoring two runs in the top of the first inning.
After a scoreless second inning, the Cougars put up a run in the top of the third inning to extend their lead to 3-0.
The Raiders showed some life by cutting the lead to one run in the bottom of the third by scoring two runs, making it a 3-2 game.
Benton took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning by scoring two more runs, taking a 4-3 lead.
The Cougars would not quit that easily, however, as they tied the game back up at 4-4 in the top of the fifth inning.
Canton found themselves on top once again in the top of the sixth inning when they put up a run to take a 5-4 lead.
Things looked bleak for the Raiders after the top of the seventh inning, when Canton extended their lead to 7-4 after scoring two runs.
But the Raiders are a resilient bunch.
They scrapped together some hits and figured out a way to score three runs to tie things up at 7-7, but they weren’t done yet.
With Gage Pierce, who has missed numerous games this year to injury, on third base and two outs, a passed ball occurred, allowing ample time for Pierce to steal home and give the Raiders an 8-7 win.
Benton scored seven runs on five hits with eight errors.
According to Benton Academy head baseball coach Vance Avalon, the win was big for a number of different reasons.
“It was a huge win for our team,” Avalon said. “It not only kept us in the hunt for the playoffs, but it boosted our team morale. Canton has a very impressive team, arguably the best team in the state for double A, and to beat them in the bottom of the seventh down by three shows our team doesn’t give up, and I’m very proud of them for that.”
Saxton Graves pitched a gem, giving up no earned runs in 5.2 innings of play.
Kendall Prescott had two of the Raiders’ five hits and scored a run in the win.
Canton scored seven runs on nine hits with seven errors.
The Raiders will return to action on Thursday when they travel to face Pillow Academy, a 4A team.
The first pitch between Benton and Pillow is set for 6 p.m.
