By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
OZARK - Chris Coy threw six innings of one-hit ball, and Garret Ferrell blasted a two-run RBI double in the sixth, lifting Benton (32-3) to a 4-1 win over MICDS in a Class 4 state semifinal at U.S. Baseball Park in Ozark Wednesday.
The Cardinals, now winners of 21 straight games, have reached the state championship in baseball for just the second time in school history and the first time since 2007.
Benton drew first blood in the top of the first. Senior Carson Schmidt led things off with a single to left field. An RBI groundout by senior Jackson Kanacsky scored Schmidt to make it a 1-0 game.
The score stayed that way through the first five innings.
MICDS (18-7) had just one hit through the first six innings, and were put down in order in the first, third, fourth and fifth.
Benton added key insurance with three runs in the top of the sixth. Chris Coy led off by reaching first on a throwing error. He later scored on a sac fly from senior Carson Davis.
With runners on first and second, Ferrell blasted a deep double to the left field wall, giving Benton a 4-0 lead. Ferrell went 2-for-3 at the plate.
MICDS scratched across a run on three hits in the seventh, but three groundouts limited the damage.
Coy (7-0) went the full game for Benton on the mound, striking out one and walking one. He gave up just four hits and one earned run.
Benton plays for the Class 4 state championship on Thursday at 1 p.m. vs. Blair Oaks (25-13). Thursday's game will be broadcast live online on St. Joseph Post.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN. Coverage starts at 12:30 p.m.
Full audio broadcast
Johnny Coy interview
Garret Ferrell interview
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.