TEXARKANA, Ark. -- Arkansas High pushed six runs across in the fifth inning after sending 12 batters to the plate, and sophomore hurler Maverick Adcock went the distance on the hill as the Razorbacks upended second-place Benton, 7-2, Friday night at home in a crucial 5A-South conference victory, 7-2.
Adcock and Panthers starter Will Wright matched the other with zeros across the board through the first four innings, both of whom worked out of multiple jams to leave runners stranded in scoring position.
The game took a turn in the fifth inning when both teams broke the scoreless tie. The visitors took the initial 2-0 lead, but Arkansas High (7-9-1, 5-5) quickly responded with their half-dozen spirt in the bottom half of the frame. This turnaround was crucial in the game, setting the stage for the Razorbacks' victory.
Wright took the loss for Benton (11-6, 6-3), allowing six of the seven runs on eight hits before exiting after just 4 1/3 innings. The Razorbacks eventually banged out 12 hits total for the game.
Sloppy defense from the Panthers' infield that led to multiple errors and Eli Wall's second start in the lineup this season proved to be rewarding for Arkansas High's offense, as Wall ignited the rally in the decisive inning with a leadoff single that was then followed up by RBI singles from Lee Smith, Scooter Wilder, Landon Graves, and a bases-loaded RBI walk to Braylon Thompson before Wall would strike again with his own RBI base hit to highlight the Razorbacks' hitting attack.
Thompson would add a two-out bunt single in the sixth and come around later to score on a ball in play from Scooter Wilder that resulted in Benton's third error of the contest to solidify the five-run victory.
Graves, Wilder, and Ryan Wardlaw finished with two hits, while Nate Wall and Jonathan Garcia collected a single piece.
Arkansas High returns to the diamond Monday in a make-up game against Lake Hamilton beginning at 5 p.m.