The Benton Rangers (9-2) had more to celebrate after winning 4-2 over Franklin County foes, the Redbirds of West Frankfort. They also cheered for their head coach Brett Blondi who reached his 200th coaching career victory.
"It's nice. Better than losing 200, I guess," Blondi said after the win. "We've been so lucky to have such good kids and support from the community, parents, administration and teachers. It's a really nice place to coach and call home."
Blondi gave full credit of his accomplishment to the young athletes on the Rangers' roster.
"These guys are such good guys," he said. "They pick each other up. They play with a level of maturity that I'm not used to. The guys in the past would tense up a little, but these guys play with confidence that if they make a mistake they can come back and win."
Having not played in several days due to stormy weather, the Rangers were hungry to get back onto their home diamond and score another win.
Junior Ian McMahon took to the mound again and with solid defense behind him, the Rangers quite literally stole the victory.
In the first inning, both Derek Oxford and Tyson Houghland found themselves in the fortunate position to be able to steal home while Brett Bonenberger faced the Redbirds' pitcher.
Oxford made it to third base after lining a base hit, stealing second and then walking to third base (on a McMahon walk). Houghland was on second after hitting his own base hit.
With the bases loaded, Oxford decided to fire up the rockets and dash his way across the plate. He slid into the Redbirds' catcher which resulted in the ball rolling all the way to backstop giving Houghland enough space to steal home as well.
"Derek was the one who said 'I can steal home' and I just said 'all right,'" Blondi said. "Then Tyson had a good read to score after him. Without that, that was kind of the ball game right there."
The Rangers maintained their lead throughout the rest of the game and even tallied two more runs in the sixth inning.
Again with the bases loaded--Houghland on third, Parker Williams on second and Bonenberger on first--Bryden Picklesimer blasted an RBI single into right field which brought Houghland and Williams across the plate.
McMahon made quick work of the Redbirds in the top of the seventh and the Rangers' took the victory for their coach.
"Our defense played really well and we have a lot of confidence in Ian," Blondi said. "They can make plays, everyone can do it. We make some little mistakes, but luckily our other aspects have been good enough that we can overcome any mistake in that sense."
