Starting pitcher Ian McMahon proved that his team can rely on him whenever they need him to perform on the mound.
The Benton Rangers (13-2) stood strong behind McMahon on Monday afternoon when they defeated the Patriots in a 1-run game (1-0).
"It's not easy to win down here," said Brett Blondi, Rangers' coach. "We played really well… Ian did a tremendous job on the mound. Scoring one was good enough today. We really have to tip our hats to Mac (Ian McMahon) for his performance. That would probably be his career best, he didn't miss many pitches. He had an idea that he would have to be pretty good today."
The Rangers were able to get the solo run of the game in the fifth inning. After leadoff hitter Zack Avery was hit by a pitch, senior Oliver Davis came in to pinch run. Hamilton Page came to the plate and laid down a bunt.
As Davis sprinted around the diamond, Page beat the throw to first base. The Patriots catcher overthrew the ball, resulting in Page running all the way to third base and Davis crossed the plate.
But the run came with no outs against the Rangers in the inning. They continued the attack with a base hit by Gehrig Wynn--Page was tagged out trying to come home. Then, Tyson Houghland hit his own base hit which resulted in Wynn putting on his motor and racing all the way to third base.
Parker Williams came to the plate and the Rangers had a chance to score another run when the Patriots catcher overthrew an attempt to keep Wynn at third base. The ball flew into left field and Wynn sprinted to the plate with Houghland headed to third base.
But the play was reversed and the base runners were sent back to their respective bases. The umpires made the call that Williams interfered with the Patriots' catcher when the ball was thrown.
"What I am learning is that if it's any kind of discrepancy, you feel like it should always be in your favor," Blondi said. "My point to the boys was… deal with the reality and don't get into the trap of what could have happened."
Williams was given a second chance to bring around Wynn, but the inning ended when he hit the ball and struck Houghland while running to second base.
For the rest of the game, it was a pitchers' battle. McMahon played all seven innings on the mound. He threw over 90 pitches, including 12 strike outs, four walks (one of which was intentional) and only let up three hits.
"I felt pretty confident," McMahon said. "We were doing well defensively… Tyson at the end to make the play was great. Hamilton made a good throw at third. Other than that, I had a good feel for the ball, my main focus was… not to let them beat me."
Though comfortable behind McMahon, the Rangers did not get too comfortable and stayed tough to get the outs when they were needed.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Patriots made an attempt to knot the score with a long fly ball into left field. Houghland kicked into high gear to keep up with the ball and caught it to end the game.
The Rangers' infield made sure the Patriots could not get anything accomplished on their field and the team in maroon walked away with another SIRR Conference victory.
