Hornets handle Tigers to stay perfect in Central

LITTLE ROCK – In a pitchers’ duel through five innings, the Bryant Hornets would kick start their offense in a 7-2 win over the Central Tigers Thursday in 6A Central Conference play in Little Rock. It was the Hornets sixth straight win improving them to 5-0 in league action, a game up on Conway, and 13-1 overall.

The Hornets struck first in the bottom of the first when senior Noah Davis and Austin Ledbetter took consecutive walks with one out. Davis would steal third and score on junior Connor Martin’s squeeze bunt for the 1-0 lead after one.

Bryant made it a 2-0 game in the top of the fourth scratching across yet another run when Ledbetter singled to start, stole second and senior JT Parker walked to put runners at first and second with one out. Ledbetter stole third and scored on junior Turner Seelinger’s sacrifice fly to center for the 2-0 lead.

The Tigers got on the board in the bottom of the inning on S Collier-tenison’s RBI double for the 2-1 lead before Bryant broke it open in the sixth inning. Ledbetter, Martin and Parker all singled to start, loading the bases before Ledbetter scored on Seelinger’s fielder’s choice. Martin and junior courtesy runner Logan White scored on an error and wild pitch, respectively, to make it a 5-1 advantage after five and a half.

Central made it a 5-2 game in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI ground out before Davis doubled in two runs in the top of the seventh.

Seelinger started for the Hornets picking up the win giving up two runs on six hits without a walk, striking out 11 Tigers. He also had two RBIS at the plate.

Ledbetter went 2 for 3 with two runs and Martin was 2 for 3 with an RBI, with Davis’ double scoring two runs.

The Hornets played Little Rock Southwest on Friday and travel to Cabot on Tuesday for more Central action.