ARGYLE - Timing is crucial in baseball and the fifth inning was just the Panthers' time Monday night in a 9-7 Six Rivers East victory over the Orioles.
Juda (2-0, 2-0 Six Rivers East) rallied for four runs as the meat of its order came around in the top of the fifth. Then hard-throwing junior reliever Beau Benner took the ball and held off Argyle (0-1, 0-1 Six Rivers East) to earn his second win out of the bullpen in as many tries.
The four-run rally was capped by a Kevin Mansfield flare single that scored a pair of runners and made the difference 8-4.
"That's just one of those bloop hits that if it's a couple feet shorter, it gets you out of the inning, but instead two runs come across," Argyle coach Sean Leary said.
Benner fanned five batters over three innings and sophomore Nick Martin took the loss despite striking out eight batters over four-and-a-third for Argyle. Four Panthers had multiple hits and the teams combined for one error.
Darlington 24, River Ridge 16
Let's just say the Redbirds' offense was eager to finally get one in. Even if it took nearly three hours to complete Monday night.
After rainouts last Tuesday and Friday, Darlington opened its season in prolific fashion in the first of two non-conference games before Friday's SWAL opener at home against Boscobel.
Darlington scored 12 runs in the second inning and used a 6-run sixth to put things on ice as things grew dark and chilly.
With the Timberwolves dispatched, Darlington heads to River Valley Thursday for a 4 p.m. opening pitch in one last non-league tuneup.
Juda (2-0, 2-0 Six Rivers East) rallied for four runs as the meat of its order came around in the top of the fifth. Then hard-throwing junior reliever Beau Benner took the ball and held off Argyle (0-1, 0-1 Six Rivers East) to earn his second win out of the bullpen in as many tries.
The four-run rally was capped by a Kevin Mansfield flare single that scored a pair of runners and made the difference 8-4.
"That's just one of those bloop hits that if it's a couple feet shorter, it gets you out of the inning, but instead two runs come across," Argyle coach Sean Leary said.
Benner fanned five batters over three innings and sophomore Nick Martin took the loss despite striking out eight batters over four-and-a-third for Argyle. Four Panthers had multiple hits and the teams combined for one error.
Darlington 24, River Ridge 16
Let's just say the Redbirds' offense was eager to finally get one in. Even if it took nearly three hours to complete Monday night.
After rainouts last Tuesday and Friday, Darlington opened its season in prolific fashion in the first of two non-conference games before Friday's SWAL opener at home against Boscobel.
Darlington scored 12 runs in the second inning and used a 6-run sixth to put things on ice as things grew dark and chilly.
With the Timberwolves dispatched, Darlington heads to River Valley Thursday for a 4 p.m. opening pitch in one last non-league tuneup.
