The Benton Rangers (21-11, 7-2 SIRR) gained an important confidence booster on Saturday afternoon as they cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Marion Wildcats in a non-conference game
The Rangers struck first as Gehrig Wynn leadoff the first with a walk and came around to score on an RBI knock by Derek Oxford. It would remain a 1-0 game until the sixth when Oxford and Tyson Houghland scored to make it 3-0. The Wildcats answered back with a run in the bottom of the sixth, but the Rangers answered right back in the seventh with a homerun blast courtesy of Bryden Pickleshimer.
Houghland was the winning pitcher for Benton in his first ever varsity starting effort, fanning five and allowing only four hits in the game. "He threw the ball really well today," said Coach Brett Blondi. Oxford pitched in relief, holding Marion hitless in 1.67 innings of solid work. At the plate Oxford was and Houghland were both 2-for-3, as was Pickleshimer. Benton also got hits from Logan Threlkeld, Cole Richardson, and Gehrig Wynn.
Blondi said that it was a well-played game with very few errors on either side. Cory Howard took the loss for Marion, while giving up just one earned run and striking out five. Brandon Soldner and Tyler Underwood also pitched in relief, with Underwood giving up the homer in the sixth. The Wildcats four hits came courtesy of Braden White, Justin Shadowens, Kurt Smith, and Jacob Schmidt.
This victory comes just days removed from a nail-biter of a loss to Massac County 6-5. If Benton had won that game, they could have clinched the conference title outright. Blondi added that he was still very proud of the way his boys competed, and refused to give up. Blondi added that was the 15th game the Rangers had been in this season that came down to fewer than two runs in the final score. He added Benton is 5-4 in one-run games, and 4-2 in two-run games.
Blondi also added that it wasn't very often you get a second chance in baseball, but today, that's exactly what the Rangers as they compete for a share of the conference title today against Harrisburg at Eovaldi Field in Benton.
