Russell Conwell
Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

DU QUOIN – Pitching has been the story at the Du Quoin 2A Baseball Regional. Wednesday, the Nashville Hornets advanced to the championship game with a 1-0 win over ZRC. The Benton Rangers and the Du Quoin Indians decided the regional championship matchup Thursday with another pitchers’ duel in the second semifinal, with the Indians winning 2-1.

Du Quoin scored its only runs thanks to a two-out, first inning rally. Owen Cornett started it with a single. David Lee drew a walk, then Gage Green hit a line drive single to load the bases for Aiden Bradley. Bradley then doubled off of the left field fence to drive in Cornett and courtesy runner Hayden Sizemore. Green tried to score all the way from first as well, but was tagged out at the plate by Asher Wyant to end the inning, but the Indians had a 2-0 lead.

The Indians tried to add to their lead in the bottom half of the third. Cornett’s one out, line drive single started it, but after putting runners on first and second, the Indians failed to capitalize.

Meanwhile, Du Quoin starting pitcher David Lee was rolling. In the fourth, Jacob Kinsman drew a leadoff walk, but Lee induced a double play and then another ground out to end the inning.

With limited opportunities against Lee, Benton had to take advantage of mistakes. The Rangers started the top of the fifth with Reid Baumgarte reaching base on an error. Baumgarte proceeded to steal second and third. After two flyouts, Isaac Billington hit a line drive double to right field corner to drive home Baumgarte, bringing the Rangers back within one.

Lee shut it down from there, silencing the Benton bats the rest of the way finishing with a three-hitter, as Du Quoin held on to advance.

The Indians improved their record to 18-11 and will now play Nashville for the regional championship Saturday morning at 11:00.

The Rangers end their season with a 17-10 record.