Benton blanks Harrisburg


Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

BENTON — The top two teams through six games of the Southern Illinois High School Fall League squared off at Benton City Park Friday night as unbeaten Harrisburg met 5-1 Benton.

The first place battle was as good as advertised as Mitch Giacone tossed a complete game shutout to lead Benton to a 2-0 win and grab a share of first place.

Benton jumped on top in the bottom of the second courtesy a Kael Pearce RBI single that plated Reid Baumgarte. Asher Wyant added a two-out, solo home run in the bottom of the sixth.

Harrisburg had runners on base on all night, but could not come up with a clutch hit. After putting the tying runs on with nobody out in the top of the seventh, Giacone set down the next three batters to end it.

These two teams will meet again Thursday night.