Bentonville blows out Sand Springs from the mound
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By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief
The Charles Page High School varsity baseball team (20-11) was absolutely hammered at the plate Friday evening in Fayetteville as the Bentonville Tigers (14-7) dealt the Sandites their worst batting performance of the season.
Carter Brown got the win on the mound, pitching nine strikeouts and only giving up two hits while holding the Sandites to a .080 team batting average. Brock Youngblood (4-1) took his first loss this season, giving up ten hits and two walks, but only allowing two earned runs.
Bentonville set the tone for the game from the very first inning, striking out two and coming in quickly to bat where Tyler Johnson doubled to score Nathan Lyons. The second inning saw Joey Montgomery reach on an error for the Sandites, but once more it was the Tigers who scored the lone run of the inning as Matt Bratspies singled in Justin Hines.
The third inning was a no hitter for both teams, and Sand Springs tried to turn things around in the top of the fourth. Rhett Rutledge reached on an error and Josh Taber singled to start the inning. Rutledge was put out at third on a fielder's choice, but Taber scored on an error to get the boys on the board.
Bentonville took the definitive lead in the bottom of the fifth, however, as Kam'Ron Mays Hunt singled and Bratspies doubled. Lyons reached on an error by Rutledge at short stop that allowed Bratspies to score, and eventually made his way home on a throw for the 4-1 advantage.
Mack Thompson drew a walk in the top of the sixth but the next three batters were struck out. Poole drew a walk in the bottom of the inning and Kyle Knight hit a single, but neither scored.
It came down to the top of the seventh for the Sandites, and they put forth their biggest inning of the game. Hunter Greathouse reached on a fielder's choice, Tyler McCallie was hit by pitch, and Trevor Tolbert singled to bring in Greathouse. Unfortunately, Thompson hit a grounder to third and McCallie was forced out to bring the game to a close.
