By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
Benton scored three runs in the first, 10 more in the second and held Bishop LeBlond to just two hits in a 14-0 victory in five innings at Hyde Park on Thursday afternoon.
The Cardinals (6-7) got on the board early with four hits in the first inning. RBI singles by Chris Coy and Zayne Ulmer, coupled with a fielding error, put Benton ahead 3-0 entering the second.
The Eagles (2-8) were held to just one hit through the first four innings, and Benton starting pitcher Garret Ferrell kept LeBlond off the board, striking out five batters.
"Throwing strikes is a big deal," Ferrell said. "Walking some of those kids sucked, but you just have to come back and keep going."
Benton really opened things up in the bottom of the second, scoring 10 runs on eight hits, four walks and an error. A three-run bomb to left by freshman Myles Bachali made it a 6-0 ballgame with just one out in the bottom of the second.
The home run was the first in Bachali's varsity career.
"It felt good," he smiled. "Really good. I was excited."
The Cardinals added one more run in the third to make it 14-0. LeBlond drew a total of four walks and got a fifth inning single from Chris Guldan, but ultimately never got a run across.
"Chris Guldan is a good pitcher," Benton coach Johnny Coy said of LeBlond's starter. "He's a good starting pitcher. LeBlond has been playing well and we knew we had to come out and play well today if we were going to get the win. Definitely glad we did that."
Benton had a productive day up and down the lineup, tallying 14 total hits. Chris Coy, Korbin Lamb-Bodde, Ulmer, Denver Domann and Treigh Nowak all scored two runs. Ulmer and Nowak each went 3-for-3.
"We got them early," Bachali said. "We fielded the ball well and threw strikes. If we throw strikes, we can win every game."
Benton will take part in the Pony Express tournament, starting Monday. LeBlond goes to Stewartsville-Osborn Monday.
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.