By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The Benton softball team scored three runs in the first inning, led 4-0 in the third, were tied with Savannah in the fourth and scored the go-ahead run in the fifth in a 5-4 win over the Savages at Hyde Park Tuesday in a Class 3 District 8 matchup.
Benton (7-1) got the scoring started right away in the bottom of the first. Senior Andee Magnus scored fellow senior Wynter Hurst, who reached first via error.
The Cardinals benefitted from three Savannah errors in the first, and quickly led 3-0 after the first.
Benton then tallied five more hits in the third. Sophomore Isabel Foster stole home and the Cardinals left the bases loaded in the bottom of the third, but still led 4-0 entering the fourth.
"We were all seeing the ball pretty well," Foster said. "I don't know, we're doing a pretty good job."
Savannah (2-2) came alive in the top of the fourth. After the Savages loaded the bases with three walks, sophomore Dakota Crane cleared the bases with a two-run RBI double to center. Another run scored off of the throw, and Savannah tied it 4-4 in the middle of the fourth.
After a 1-2-3 frame by both teams, the Cardinals grabbed the lead back in the bottom of the fifth. Foster led off the frame with a single to center, and Hurst walked into bases loaded to score Foster, giving Benton a 5-4 advantage.
For a second time in the game, Benton left the bases loaded, but the Savages were retired in order in the final three innings, allowing the Cardinals to survive.
"I think we're evenly matched," Benton head coach Joey Hendrix said of the game with Savannah. "I think the score and the way this game was played showed that this could have gone either way."
Hurst tossed the complete game for Benton, allowing four hits, four runs and four walks. She also struck out two batters.
"I feel like our defense definitely had the effort behind it," Hurst said. "Some of the sliding plays and stuff like that. Trying to run for the balls. They had my back whenever I missed a spot or something."
Benton scored their five runs on eight hits and five Savannah errors. Foster was 2-for-4 with a team-best three runs scored. Junior Kayten Knowles and freshman Jerzey Ziolkowski each had a pair of hits as well.
The win Tuesday is Benton's third straight as the Cardinals are off to a fast 7-1 start. Hendrix really just wants to see his team do more of the same going forward.
"The girls are staying positive and staying up," Hendrix said. "Whether we're ahead or behind. A game like that against a team like that is only going to help you win more than lose down the line. I tip my cap to (Savannah). That's such a good team. Coach (B.J.) Winn is such a good coach. It's a good win for us."
Benton is home to St. Pius X on Thursday. Savannah is home to Hamilton/Penney on Wednesday.
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