Baumgarte leads Benton past Pinckneyville

Russell Conwell
Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

BENTON — The Benton Rangers hosted the Pinckneyville Panthers in the quarterfinals of the Du Quoin 2A Baseball Regional, with the winners to face the Indians. Rangers’ senior Reid Baumgarte pitched a complete game to lead Benton to a 2-1 win.

After a scoreless first inning, the Panthers started the top of the second by putting runners on first and second. A double play put a runner on third with two outs for Logan Maxey, who hit an RBI single to score the first run of the game.

Pinckneyville starter Nile Adcock was cruising along until the third. Seth Tate started things off with a line drive single to center field and advanced to second base on Isaac Billington’s sacrifice bunt. After Tyler Chamness hit into a fielder’s choice erasing Tate from the bases, Mason Tieffel hit a sizzling ground ball to score Chamness to tie the game 1-1. After a walk to Jacob Kinsman, Tieffel took third on a passed ball. Kinsman and Tieffel then pulled off a double steal with Kinsman taking second, and Tieffel swiping home to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead.

Baumgarte made it stand, keeping Pinckneyville’s offense quiet, scattering six hits while striking out eight, finishing the game with a 1-2-3 seventh inning.

Benton improves 17-9 and will now face Du Quoin in the regional semifinals Thursday at 4:30. The Indians have won the first two meetings between the two teams this season.

Pinckneyville’s season ends with the record 7-15.