SHERIDAN – It was a nail-biter throughout until the sixth inning. Benton Williams Tire, playing the Little Rock Eagles for a shot at today’s Junior Zone Tournament final, was up 4-2 going into the bottom of the sixth inning, but missed chances and errors led to Little Rock putting up a 9-spot in the inning on its way to an 11-4 win to end Williams Tire’s season.
Tied 2-2 going into the fifth after Logan Black’s single brought in leadoff man Jared Kelley in the fifth, Williams Tire would take the late advantage in the top of the sixth when Michael Allison reached with a one-out walk. Allison stole second and would score two batters later with two outs on Caleb Easterling’s triple. Easterling scored on a wild pitch for the 4-2 lead.
But then things fell apart for Benton. After lefty Tyler Sheridan gave up two runs (one earned) in five innings, Black came in and got the first Eagle out in the bottom of the sixth inning. But a walk and a missed opportunity on a double play resulted in no outs on the play. Benton had a chance for another out and would have been out of the inning, but another misplay loaded the bases and Benton walked a runner in to allow Little Rock within 4-3.
The Eagles knocked out three consecutive hits, including two doubles, to take the lead for good and end Williams Tire’s season.
Benton took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Kelley doubled, but would be thrown out at home on Caleb Easterling’s double, but Easterling would score on his brother Logan’s single. Little Rock took a 2-1 lead in the third with one run coming unearned.
Sheridan finished his day with a no-decision giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and four walks, and striking out three. Caleb Easterling went 2 for 3 with two runs and an RBI, Logan Easterling was 2 for 4 with an RBI, and Kelley, Beau Brewer and Black each added a hit in the loss.