By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Benton scored the game's lone run in the third inning and starting pitcher Chris Coy struck out eight batters in a complete game, as the Cardinals (30-3) blanked St. Pius X, 1-0, in a Class 4 state sectional at the Missouri Western Spring Sports Complex Tuesday.
Benton had only two hits, but it was Myles Bachali who drove in Bryson Brown on an RBI single in the bottom of the third, and that was the game.
Pius (18-10-1) seemingly scored the first run of the game in the top of the first inning when senior Wade Mann came around to score off of a single from Tommy Hustler.
However, Mann never touched home plate and was called out as soon as he got to the dugout.
Pius also left the bases loaded in the top of the third.
Both offenses went cold in the back half of the game. Benton and Pius both went down in order in the fourth, fifth and sixth inning.
Pius got two runners on with one out in the top of the seventh, but a groundout and a strikeout ended the threat.
Coy, a junior, followed up his complete game performance against Savannah last Thursday in the district title with a complete game shutout on Tuesday. He struck out eight batters while walking only two.
Junior Ty Earwood was stellar on the mound for Pius, striking out six Cardinals in all.
Benton has now won 19 games in a row and has reached the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2007 - the year the Cardinals won it all.
Benton will stay at Missouri Western for a third consecutive game. The Cardinals face St. Michael the Archangel (16-12) in state quarterfinals on Thursday at a time to be determined.
The game will be broadcast live on StJosephPost.com AT THIS LINK.
St. Michael beat Excelsior Springs Tuesday, 2-0.
Full audio broadcast
Johnny Coy interview
Chris Coy interview
Class 3 state sectional
Mid-Buchanan 7 Lone Jack 5 - FINAL
The Dragons (20-8) advance to state quarterfinals to take on Lone Jack (30-1) on Thursday.
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