By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Savannah dug itself an early six-run deficit after two innings, but got back in the game with five runs in the third.
The Savages (11-2) took the lead with four runs in the fourth and scored the go-ahead run in the seventh to outlast Benton, 12-11, at Hyde Park in St. Joseph Wednesday.
"They kept playing and I'm proud of them," Savannah head coach Erich Bodenhausen said. "We talked after the game and I think a couple of weeks ago, we lose that game. Not today. We have a lot of confidence, and I think we played that way."
In an up-and-down, back-and-forth shootout, Benton (11-3) got it going early, plating four runs in the first and two more in the second to go up 6-0.
Savannah punched right back, scoring five runs in the third, sparked by a two-run RBI double from senior Zayden Snapp.
After Benton went down in order in the third, Savannah took its first lead with four more runs in the top of the fourth.
Leading 9-7 entering the fifth, the Savages went up 11-7, thanks to a two-run homer to left center by senior and starting pitcher Parker Brayley.
After spotting the Cardinals some early runs on the mound, Brayley settled in and lasted five innings, striking out four. He responded after a shaky start, which included three hit batters and a walk as well.
"I have a great group of guys behind me," Brayley said. "Benton is a great team. We came out here and battled and did the best we could to come back and get that 'W.'"
"To be able to get five innings out of (Brayley) was huge," Bodenhausen added. "I mean, that...helped us win the game. He decided to bear down and put the team on his back. That helped us a bunch. If we have to pull him in the third inning, I don't know what happens."
Benton didn't go away. The Cardinals tied the game at 11-11 in the bottom of the sixth, thanks to a two-run RBI double by senior Garret Farrell.
Savannah nabbed the lead back in the top of the seventh. Brayley, who scored a team-high three runs, hit a one-out triple to right. He then scored the winning run on a groundout sacrifice from Sutton Snipes.
The Savages closed it out behind a solid relief effort from freshman Mason Waitkoss, who struck out two batters over the last 1.2 innings to get the save.
He retired the Cardinals in four at-bats in the bottom of the seventh.
Snipes went 3-for-5 at the plate for Savannah with two runs scored. Jackson Ledden went 2-for-4, while Kemper Williams scored two runs as a courtesy runner.
Benton's Carson Schmidt led the way at the plate, scoring three runs on a 4-of-5 hitting effort. Kanacsky, who struck out six in three innings on the hill, also went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Carson Davis doubled, finishing with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Wednesday's game was the first look at what could end up being a lengthy, entertaining series between Benton and Savannah.
Both in Class 4 District 16, the two are scheduled to play twice more in the regular season. What's more, the two teams are competing in the WOW High School Wood Bat Tournament this Friday and Saturday.
Both teams will also be in the Pony Express tournament field the following week.
"They're going to compete every time we come out here," Brayley said of Benton. "But, getting that first win, I think, really sets the tone that we're here and we're ready to play."
Benton is home to LeBlond on Thursday. Savannah's next game is against Owensville in the Wood Bat tournament on Friday at 6:30 at Phil Welch Stadium.
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