Bad start dooms Panthers

BENTON – A tough first inning Thursday in nonconference action would doom the Benton Panthers at Everett Field at Panther Stadium in Benton vs. the Cabot Panthers. Cabot took advantage of an error and five walks in the first frame to score six runs in an eventual 8-4 victory over Benton to drop the Panthers 7-7 on the season.

Four Benton errors for the game gave Cabot six unearned runs as Benton junior starter Jake Jones couldn’t find the plate after inducing a leadoff ground out. An error, passed ball and RBI single gave Cabot an early 1-0 lead before Jones walked the next four men, the last two forcing in runs for the 3-0 deficit. Benton junior Ethan Perry relieved and induced a ground out before a walk and single made it a 6-0 Cabot lead after one.

Cabot picked up a run in the second on an RBI ground out for the 7-0 lead before Benton got on the board in the bottom of the third taking advantage of two errors and a walk to start the inning. Benton senior Aidan Garrett and junior Andrew Armstrong had consecutive RBI ground outs to make it a 7-2 ballgame, but the Panthers couldn’t get anything else going until late.

Cabot picked up another run in the sixth on a two-out error before Perry scored on a passed ball and junior Austin Phillips singled in junior Dawson Turner in the bottom of the inning to set the final score.

Perry pitched well in relief giving up just two unearned runs on three hits and a walk, striking out five in

5.2 innings. Senior Garrett Brown gave up a hit and walk, striking out one in a scoreless inning.

At the plate, Phillips went 2 for 3 with a run and RBI, with Garrett (RBI), senior Caleb Sollars and sophomore Jack Woolbright adding a hit in the loss.

Benton returns to 5A Central Conference play on Tuesday, hosting the Jacksonville Titans in Benton.