AHS and Benton clash in the 6A quarterfinals

BENTON, Ark.—There was a feeling of nostalgia in the air in Central Arkansas when former 5A-South rivals Arkansas High and Benton clashed in the quarterfinals of the Conference 6A state playoffs.

Arkansas High fell to host school Benton at Panther Field, 7-1.

“This was a tough one,” Arkansas High head coach Layne Berry said. “We fell behind early and couldn't get much traction after that.”

Senior right hander Jakob Johnson started on the hill for the Hogs. Johnson went 4 1/3 innings and walked four.

It was a constant chess match between longtime Benton head baseball coach Mark Balisterri and Arkansas High's Berry.

In the bottom of the first, Johnson picked off a Benton base runner, ceasing the Panther momentum to get out of the side.

“Johnson didn't have his best stuff early on and when he settled down, it was difficult for us to come back,” Berry said.

Junior slugger Austin Nix led the Razorbacks at the dish. Nix went 1 for 3 on the night.

Tristen Koller scored the

Hogs' lone run on a Ross Carver wild pitch in the top of the fifth.

Carver started on the mound for the Panthers. Carver struck out 12 and walked one and gave up no runs. Ross gave himself some breathing room in the first inning, driving in two runs with a line-drive double off the right field wall.

The Hogs' Matthew Mobley was 1 for 2 with a double.

“I'm optimistic about our future,” Berry said. “We're losing three seniors but our core returns next season. You never want to lose, but our guys got the taste of a playoff win, so hopefully we can build off that.”

Benton will play Jonesboro at 2:30 p.m. Monday in the semifinals.

Arkansas High 000 010 0 — 1 2 4 Benton 201 112 x— 7 8 2 Jakob Johnson, Matthew Mobley (5), Gage Gore (6) and Wren Williams. Ross Carver and Logan Easterling. WP-Carver. LP-Johnson.